Happy Summer Solstice. Let the season begin!
College Fjord to Whittier 24 Nautical Miles 8 Knots
As the Island Princess came about and started her return trip through College Fjord we kept our eyes peeled for animals. So far we hadn’t seen the abundance of wildlife we’d expected but maybe the unusually late spring and cold weather was partly responsible. At least the scenery was spectacular.
We did spot something. I’m not sure what. Just a dark head moving through the water leaving a wake… otter? seal? certainly not a whale or a porpoise. I’m really not sure. Now it’s easy to see how legends like the Loch Ness Monster come into being.
As we headed back to the stateroom we stopped to linger near the enclosed pool, not to swim but to say good by to the little stowaways we’d been watching the whole cruise. There were some little sparrow/ finch type birds that had apparently joined the ship in warmer climes but they seemed to be doing ok for themselves in the enclosed part of the deck.
But we had to get back to the room. Tonight we’d deal with luggage. It will be tagged and placed outside our stateroom door. We are going on to Denali and the luggage is limited. I sent some on to the Captain Cook Hotel in Anchorage, things I didn’t expect to need but with the camera as my “carry on” I was still pushing the limit.
In the morning we’d be in Whittier where we’d board the dome train to Denali. That would take most of the day. The brochure says it’s 9 1/2 hours. For a number of reasons our train ride turned into 11 hours. The folks that took the bus arrived before we did! More on that later.
But I wanted to tell you a little about Whittier. We didn’t get to see much of it but we did get some basic information. All of our itineraries listed Whittier (Anchorage) so I wasn’t sure if Whittier was a neighborhood of Anchorage or if the names were for the same place or what.
Turns out Whittier is a little town in its own right. It sits at the head of Passage Canal, a deep fjord that connects with Prince William Sound. It’s location provides easy access to the interior of Alaska. The town was originally established in World War II to allow for the movement of troops and supplies but it had a long history of being a supply route for the Chugach Indians, fur traders and gold prospectors.
One thing that I found amazing is that most, if not all, of the 180 full-time residents live in the same building, the multi story Begich Tower originally built to house operations and personnel when the railroad was extended. The railroad tunnel has been converted to allow both rail and auto traffic so Anchorage is now only 90 minutes away.
We got a glimpse of Begich Tower as we were escorted from the ship to the train. Once out of the cold we settled in for the next leg of the journey.
Up early for our shore excursion, we headed to the Horizon Court for breakfast. As we sat by the windows looking out at the side of Mount Roberts we spotted 2 bald eagles soaring almost at eye level! They would fly around a bit and then land in the trees and sit for a little while then take off and do the whole thing again. I wondered if we could see any of the eagles from our balcony.
Breakfast over we hurried back to get ready for the shore excursion and check out the balcony view of the mountain. Sure enough there was a bald eagle perched on a tree top right across from our balcony.
Even so it was way too far for my normal lens. I first tried to hand hold the telephoto but I wasn’t quite steady enough. Then I tried using the tripod. What I forgot was that there was a vibration from the ship so I still got motion blur.
Frustrated I put the telephoto away because it was time to meet our guide for our shore excursion.
Today we are going whale watching and visiting the Mendenhall Glacier. If the weather clears after our morning we might take the tram up Mount Roberts.
The announcement that we had permission to go ashore finally came and we headed out to meet our guide. To our surprise Phil, our guide, said we were going on the whale watch first.
That was ok just a surprise based on the tour description. Still it probably all has to do with what the weather is like. When we left the ship there were some clouds but it looked like we might finally see some sun as the day progressed.
We piled onto the bus and were soon on our way to the marina at Auke Bay where we spotted another bald eagle perched on a pole. As we waited for directions from Phil another bald eagle swooped down toward the water then right back up and over our heads. Breath-taking!
I kept one eye on the eagle on the pole as we approached the whale boat. I was fascinated that It hadn’t flown away.
The Whale boat was enclosed so the passengers would be protected from the cold wind but it made pictures impossible through the scratchy, cloudy glass. The captain was in touch with other boats to make it easier to find the whales. Once we spotted a spout Phil promised to open the windows and hatches to the bow and stern.
As we cruised out into the open water Phil gave us a lesson on whales using little plastic models.
We saw a pair of eagles perched on some rocks.
Other eagles soared over the boat the way sea gulls fly over them here at home. Off in the distance we could see 2 glaciers.
One was identified as Herbert Glacier, the other one as Eagle Glacier.
All eyes were on the waves looking for that first blow but so far nothing. Then we spotted a buoy. Something was definitely on it.
Obviously it couldn’t be a whale. As the captain maneuvered the boat closer to the buoy Phil opened the windows and we looked at some big guys…Stellar Sea Lions, no little harbor seals here.
There were some in the water too but no room for anymore on that buoy. We took our time watching the sea lions until the captain got a call that some whales had been spotted out by the lighthouse.
Phil closed the windows and those of us standing outside came in to take our seats and we were off to try to catch up with the elusive humpbacks.
Wednesday night and Thursday afternoon Southeastern Mass was hit with high winds and heavy rains. Because of the nasty weather I didn’t get a chance to check on Mama and Papa Swan at Indian Grove Pond.
Friday was the last day before I leave for my trip so I was busy cleaning, packing and making sure all of the laundry was done. But the sun was shining and we hit 80+ degrees. Oh my, how the great outdoors was calling to me. Surely a few hours won’t set me that far behind.
I had to pick up a few things like band aids for the blisters I’m sure to get (I always do) and a new toothbrush. You know, just a few last-minute things. So when I finished that errand I just kept going! Yup had to do a “wellness check”.
Mama & Papa were both right there. Mama looked hot. She had her beak open and was actually drooling but Papa was right there too. He does take his turn on the nest so I’m sure if she was really that uncomfortable she’d take a break.
She did stand up so all of the eager watchers were able to see the eggs. All 6 were still there and no cracks yet. I guess there won’t be any cygnets before I leave but I bet there will be when I get back!
Flowers are blooming
The ponds are filled with ducks.
Mama Swan from Island Grove Pond counts her eggs.
All is well.
A chorus of Gulls
I can’t help it. I knew they looked familiar!
Mine! Mine! Mine! …If you saw “Finding Nemo” you understand. 🙂