Anchorage, Whittier and College Fjord

We awoke yesterday docked in Whittier, Alaska. Customs and Immigration were a breeze, and we picked up the Avis Rent-a-Car, and friends Willy and Cori, and headed off through the longest combined rail-traffic tunnel in North America--just over 2 miles. Neat! And on into Anchorage--a bit over an hour driving along the seashore--Turnagain Arm and Cook Inlet--with snowcapped mountains everywhere around. Gorgeous doesn't even begin to describe...

We dropped of Willy and Cori at the airport and went downtown. It was the first Farmer's Market of the year for Anchorage, so we did lots of wandering and some buying. Think big fleamarket with probably 200 booths selling whatever, and food tents too! Wandered through the downtown area and generally, were on LAND. This made Laurel very happy!!!! Didn't have to do anything, just not be on the ship. Back to Whittier and wandered around a bit--a small place--170 full-time residents--with the dock and some infrastructure built by Princess. Before the 1964 earthquake, there were some 1200 residents--it hasn't recovered from the military pulling out and the earthquake. But it is charming, nonetheless.

This morning was College Fjord, with its many glaciers, all named after colleges--Yale Glacier, Harvard Glacier, etc.. The weather was perfect and we got many pictures. Sadly, there is no way that they can capture the true beauty and grandeur of the location. Simply stupendous. Lots of "bergy bits" and "growlers" floating in the water, some sea otters swimming around, the glaciers and the mountains, the clear, cold air and warmpth of the sun--just filled your senses. Thumbs up for Captain Dino getting us there and the weather for cooperating.

Thats all for now. Will keep you posted!