| Thursday, August 11, 2005 |
20:36 - Anchorage Aweigh
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Now we're in Valdez. Hooray!
Yesterday we did the Kenai Peninsula—a nice scenic drive down to Seward on the southern coast, and lunch at a place where the waitress seemed genuinely interested in making sure we got a good impression of the place (the chili burgers did a good enough job of that on their own).
Today we drove down Turnagain Arm again, went through the one-lane railroad/car tunnel at Portage Lake, and arrived at Whittier in time to check in at the ferry terminal, park our car in line in the boarding staging area, and get lunch at one of the cute little windswept food shops that make up the entirety of Whittier. Then it was the Alaska Marine Highway—the M/V Aurora—across Prince William Sound to Valdez. We saw quite a bit of wildlife, including sea otters and Dall porpoises, and lots of outstanding views of glaciers and steep wooded islands. It was pretty hazy, from a combination of the forest fires that have dogged us since Fairbanis, and general sea haze, so the air wasn't as clear as it could have been; but that was only a small drawback to what was otherwise a fantastic day. I don't think I sat down at all for the entire six-hour trip, I was taking so many pictures.
We're in the Best Western Harbor Inn, which had a one-star super-negative review on the hotel reservation site I used to book it a month ago; I have no idea what the reviewer was thinking, because this place is awesome. Wireless network, great harbor view, DVD player, soap dispensers in the shower, lavish decor, and a rate lower than we paid for our mediocre place in Fairbanks. I'm going to go issue my own review and see if it can override the older one.
Tomorrow is a long day of driving—the last big road adventure, a trip up to Tok (which we last saw a week ago) and beyond to Dawson City. We'll have to get up early for it. I'd also better call ahead and make motel reservations; Dawson City isn't a place I want to get marooned without a room.
Oh yes—quote of the day, from a couple of guys who seemed to be traveling together, in the Aurora's observation lounge:
"So the ferry system is owned by the state, then?"
"Yeah. But it's not the ferry system, it's the Alaska Marine Highway."
"It's a ferry system."
"It's the Alaska Marine Highway."
"It's a bunch of ferries."
"You're a ferry."
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Brian Tiemann
