It’s that time of the year; one of my favorite, only exceeded by that period when the Geese will return. Yes, our golden autumn has arrived, trumpeted by the honking of the departing fowl. Wait, wait, I want to go as well, but prefer to linger, and get my fill.....
Early Sunday morning, August 22, we boarded the MV Chenega again, for our voyage to Valdez. We made the 110 mile trip in a little over three hours, averaging about 32 knots/ hour. The Chenega is a catamaran capable of doing forty knots. Weather wise, our arrival in Valdez was somewhat depressing. Due to a very thick fog, visibility was limited to about ten yards. However, by noon the fog had burned off and for the three days of our visit, we enjoyed a really unique Valdez welcome: warmth, sunshine and a calm seas. A month earlier I had arranged for the rental of an eighteen-foot skiff to go Silver Salmon fishing, so good weather would be a bonus.
(Note: To enlarge photo, left click photo with mouse. To return to post, left click arrow at top of page.)
WHITTIER
You can drive through Portage Valley to see one of Alaska's most popular attractions, Portage Glacier, or continue to Whittier to access the marine wonders of Prince William Sound. Turn-of-the-century prospectors used Portage Valley to travel between Prince William Sound and Cook Inlet. They would drag their supplies over the pass en route to the Kenai gold fields. During WWII, the army built a railroad tunnel to Whittier, and it was opened to car traffic in 2000. The Portage to Whittier Tunnel is billed as the longest highway tunnel, and combined vehicle-railway tunnel in North America, two and one half miles.
From Whittier you can take a day cruise into Prince William Sound, and see spectacular tidewater glaciers, waterfalls, seabird colonies, seals, otters, porpoises, whales, and more. Besides cruises, you will find a variety of soft-adventure activities-including hiking, kayaking, and fishing. With a brand new terminal and dock, cruise ships are calling at Whittier for the first time in 15 years. Glaciers are viewed in abundance here; you can see five right from town.
market required the construction of an 196 mile railroad from the mine to the coast, Cordova would be the marine terminal. Kennecott Copper Corporation was born and Cordova thrived. Today Cordova is a small fishing community with fewer than 2500 year-around inhabitants, and inaccessible, except by air or sea. Little of the early railroad still exists. We drove fifty miles on a gravel road to see the only remnant, the "Million Dollar Bridge"; quite an engineering marvel considering it was built in 1908. Adjacent to the bridge is Childs Glacier, the rumble and thunder caused by the calving ice make it a truly breath taking sight. 
