Saturday, August 9, 2008

Portage, the Whittier Tunnel & Tony's Fishing Trip

The day after our trip to Seward, Tony took the kids back down Turnagain Arm to do a little exploring. While on the way, they actually spotted a pod of Beluga whales...something I have only seen 3 or so times in the 18 years I lived in Alaska. If you look closely at the photo, Tony caught two little white whale heads breaking the surface of the Cook Inlet.

After the whale excitement, they made a quick stop at Portage Glacier. That's a big chunk of glacial ice floating in the water behind the kids.

Next, they took the tunnel over to Whittier. The tunnel has existed for years through the Chugach mountain range, but just recently have they expanded it to be accessible to cars. The tunnel is 2.5 miles long and it gets you to Whitter where you could only get there before by boat or train. It's a tiny town of about 400, but apparently Anna & Sam charmed the patrons so well at the cafe they stopped at for fish and chips that they found another lady visiting from Omaha. Go figure.

And finally, Tony and my dad got their favorite fishing trip in again this trip. It's actually a float trip down the lower Kenai River and they fish for trout that have returned with the spawning salmon and grow huge from eating all the salmon roe. They had gorgeous weather and lots of luck...they caught about 50 rainbows from 14"-24" and Tony even caught a 25 pound King Salmon, but couldn't keep it because the season ended August 1st.


This will be my last post from Alaska...catch you all in a few days back in Omaha!

5 comments:

April said...

I'm so glad that you guys had a rip roaring good time with mom and dad. We love you and your cute family!

zakkalife said...

looks and sounds like a lovely vacation, how special that you were able to see some whales

Sydney said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful trip! My mom lived in Alaska for a couple of years, in fact, my older sister was born in Anchorage. I've always wanted to go... someday!

MooreInterest said...

OK so I love that you are relaxing, catching up with envied friends and family, and adventuring too! I would love to visit Alaska1 What beautiful pictures you have! And I have to say, I so love that you told Sam that you were reading an important book about vampires! I know I have caught myself saying things like that to my children, recently...but my mother was not in the room. Which makes it all that much more silly! You are a good Mom.....vampire books are very important for sanity and "sobriety"PS--thanks for all your loving comments lately. Crazy times here.

Sonja said...

What a fun trip!! Hope you have a safe trip home. I'm craving fish and chips now.