WHITTIER
Up early and we walk over to our hotel's restaurant-Breeze Inn Restaurant & Lounge. I have my usual boring breakfast of 1 egg, toast, and coffee. Richard is more adventurous and orders the huevos rancheros and coffee. The waitress gives us $5 too much in change. She's most appreciative when I point this out to her. Bill $24 including tip. We gas up the car $20. Our goal is to reach Whittier before our 12:15 pm sail time. I have prebooked with Major Marine-Surprise Glacier Tour. Cost for 2 adults is $326 which includes port charges. We get a little confused as I was unaware that there is a free tunnel you drive through before you get to the Anton Anderson Tunnel which leads directly into the town of Whittier. By driving around trying to find the right way we pass some sights/stops we will do tomorrow. At least we now know where they are and how to get to them! Finally we are lined up waiting for our turn to enter the tunnel. It is now 9:15 am. We will enter at 9:30 am. Fee is $13 to enter to Whittier but no charge when you leave. In no time at all we are through the tunnel and in Whittier. We find our hotel no problem except it's too early to check in. We will spend 1 night at THE INN AT WHITTIER. Cost for room with 2 full beds and an ocean view is $208.95 We walk around taking in what little there is to see right in this area by the harbor. We will explore further afield later. There are a few shops and I buy some postcards but I'm not seeing anything else that I want to buy. I'm trying to restrain myself with shopping as I really went wild in SE Asia where I had to buy another suitcase just for souvenirs in addition to an empty carry on!! I promised my husband that would not happen again and so far I've kept my word to his relief.
Check in time at the Major Marine Office is 11:15 am. We take the short walk over and I present my e-mail confirmation. I'm given tickets and we now walk over to the harbor area. There are 2 main tour companies at this location. Major Marine and Phillips. These boats are quite a bit larger than the ones we were on in Seward. We have opted not to do the optional salmon and prime rib buffet lunch. That is $19 per adult and $9.50 per child. We normally don't eat lunch and certainly nothing as large as this buffet sounds. I did bring some protein snack bars and we will get drinks on the boat. This boat tour emphasizes the glaciers more so than wildlife so I'm not expecting to see as much wildlife as I saw in Seward. Our boat is the Fairweather Express II. We have a Ranger from Chugach on board who does a junior ranger program with the kids. I like that as it keeps the kids occupied and teaches them at the same time. Each child who wants to participate is given a booklet to read and fill out. This cruise goes through Passage Canal, Port Wells where we see waterfalls/bird rookeries/otters/sea lions, the Barry Arm, Harriman Glacier and a 30 minute stop at Surprise Glacier where we get to see small calvings. We return through the Esther Passage with its high mountains, Esther Island where there is a salmon hatchery, and pass the 2nd largest black legged kittiwake rookery. It was a great cruise but I much prefer the smaller boats. The scenery was astounding and I loved the glaciers. I also didn't expect to see as much wildlife as we did so that was a bonus for me.
Upon returning to town we head over to our hotel-The Inn at Whittier. We check in and bring in our carry on bag which holds what we need for our 1 night stay. Our room has a nice view of the boat harbor. It has 2 double beds, a dresser, TV, coffee maker, desk and chair. Bathroom has a tub, toiletries, and hair dryer.
Not too many choices for dinner. I read reviews so we choose SWIFTWATER which is a casual cafe. You place your order at the counter, pay, and when it's ready your meal is brought to your table. The place is almost full but we find a high top table. The seats are high and not so comfortable for my 70 yr. old self but I will adapt. For $31.50 we get a shrimp and fries basket, a caesar salad, and 1 coke. Richard opts for water. It was ok but nothing special like some of the other dinners we've had.
Tomorrow we will explore a bit more of Whittier and head towards Anchorage with a few stops.
Up early and we walk over to our hotel's restaurant-Breeze Inn Restaurant & Lounge. I have my usual boring breakfast of 1 egg, toast, and coffee. Richard is more adventurous and orders the huevos rancheros and coffee. The waitress gives us $5 too much in change. She's most appreciative when I point this out to her. Bill $24 including tip. We gas up the car $20. Our goal is to reach Whittier before our 12:15 pm sail time. I have prebooked with Major Marine-Surprise Glacier Tour. Cost for 2 adults is $326 which includes port charges. We get a little confused as I was unaware that there is a free tunnel you drive through before you get to the Anton Anderson Tunnel which leads directly into the town of Whittier. By driving around trying to find the right way we pass some sights/stops we will do tomorrow. At least we now know where they are and how to get to them! Finally we are lined up waiting for our turn to enter the tunnel. It is now 9:15 am. We will enter at 9:30 am. Fee is $13 to enter to Whittier but no charge when you leave. In no time at all we are through the tunnel and in Whittier. We find our hotel no problem except it's too early to check in. We will spend 1 night at THE INN AT WHITTIER. Cost for room with 2 full beds and an ocean view is $208.95 We walk around taking in what little there is to see right in this area by the harbor. We will explore further afield later. There are a few shops and I buy some postcards but I'm not seeing anything else that I want to buy. I'm trying to restrain myself with shopping as I really went wild in SE Asia where I had to buy another suitcase just for souvenirs in addition to an empty carry on!! I promised my husband that would not happen again and so far I've kept my word to his relief.
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| We stopped here to ask directions to the Anton Anderson Tunnel |
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| Lanes for lining up |
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| Looking from our car to all the others lined up to go through the tunnel |
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| Here we are about to enter the tunnel |
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| Inside lights and the train tracks |
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| Welcome to Whittier |
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| Whittier harbor |
Check in time at the Major Marine Office is 11:15 am. We take the short walk over and I present my e-mail confirmation. I'm given tickets and we now walk over to the harbor area. There are 2 main tour companies at this location. Major Marine and Phillips. These boats are quite a bit larger than the ones we were on in Seward. We have opted not to do the optional salmon and prime rib buffet lunch. That is $19 per adult and $9.50 per child. We normally don't eat lunch and certainly nothing as large as this buffet sounds. I did bring some protein snack bars and we will get drinks on the boat. This boat tour emphasizes the glaciers more so than wildlife so I'm not expecting to see as much wildlife as I saw in Seward. Our boat is the Fairweather Express II. We have a Ranger from Chugach on board who does a junior ranger program with the kids. I like that as it keeps the kids occupied and teaches them at the same time. Each child who wants to participate is given a booklet to read and fill out. This cruise goes through Passage Canal, Port Wells where we see waterfalls/bird rookeries/otters/sea lions, the Barry Arm, Harriman Glacier and a 30 minute stop at Surprise Glacier where we get to see small calvings. We return through the Esther Passage with its high mountains, Esther Island where there is a salmon hatchery, and pass the 2nd largest black legged kittiwake rookery. It was a great cruise but I much prefer the smaller boats. The scenery was astounding and I loved the glaciers. I also didn't expect to see as much wildlife as we did so that was a bonus for me.
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| Harriman Glacier |
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| Surprise Glacier |
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| Surprise Glacier |
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| Seals on ice floes |
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| Pile after a calving |
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| Salmon Hatchery boat |
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| Salmon Hatchery |
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| Looking into hotel restaurant |
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| Hotel lobby |
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| Bedroom |
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| Desk |
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| View from room |
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| Bathroom |
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| Coffee maker |
Not too many choices for dinner. I read reviews so we choose SWIFTWATER which is a casual cafe. You place your order at the counter, pay, and when it's ready your meal is brought to your table. The place is almost full but we find a high top table. The seats are high and not so comfortable for my 70 yr. old self but I will adapt. For $31.50 we get a shrimp and fries basket, a caesar salad, and 1 coke. Richard opts for water. It was ok but nothing special like some of the other dinners we've had.
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| Dinner |
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| Inside decor |
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| Caesar salad |
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| Shrimp and fries basket |
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| Tables |
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| Ordering counter |
Tomorrow we will explore a bit more of Whittier and head towards Anchorage with a few stops.
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