My goal is to wrap up the ferry trip so we can get on with the land-based trip segment. So, after Juneau we spent another full day traveling to Yakutat (pop. 646) - 22hrs I think - arrived early Wed. It was pouring rain, but a few of us decided it didn't count if we didn't get off the ferry & touch land for a bit. Turns out there was only one thing to see....this OLD steam-engine. Not a great pic, I know, but not easy to take in the rain before sunrise. It was about 6:30am. Their National Park office bldg is quite nice too...if you ever get here. You'll pass it on the way to the engine.
Our next stop was Whittier - the Gateway to Prince William Sound - on Thurs. morning (we were docked 6-11am). I realize that the days of the week don't actually matter....it's just the best way to tell you how BIG the distances between ports of call are.
Of course, most places in "the gateway" were closed while we were there.... although I heard somebody talking about trying ice cream somewhere after we were back on board. Wish I had known about that! I also wish the operator of the day cruise to see 26 glaciers had been open...if only for a short tour.
Having said that, Whittier was by far the least rushed port stop during the trip & most of us seemed to like it best. It is beautiful. Of course, it helped that we had good weather all day. No doubt making up for rough seas and rain. This is just about all of it....
Most people live in this apartment building...
The view from their apartments...
The glacier most visible from town....
FlatJen finally had a chance to get some sun on deck. The crew has really been working her hard.
Our final stop before Friday morning's arrival in Kodiak was Chenega Bay. We don't know why this huge people/car ferry stops here! Except that it might be the small native fishing community's best chance for contact & supplies. Its population is about 160. We did see one van exit the ferry loaded up with toilet paper and other supplies - enough to last until spring probably. We heard that when a plane comes in they have a BBQ.
We were in port for one hour and just wandered the dirt roads. It is a BEAUTIFUL place....and EXTREMELY isolated!
Next post will be from Kodiak Island. Thanks for being patient! More soon...
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One van load of TP for 160 people for the winter...I don't know? Good to see Flat Jen again! And I thought the train photo was pretty cool! SL
ReplyDeleteThose sound like small very isolated areas. Looks like a great trip with short stops at interesting towns.
ReplyDeleteNo, one van loaded for that family...
ReplyDeleteThanks for the swim. It looks like I was floating in the frigid waters! Love the pictures!!
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