Soldotna to Willowaw USFS CG (Near Whittier), 106 miles, Aug 8, 2010

We woke up this morning to a glorious bright sunny day.  Somewhat unusual for the Kenai Peninsula.

More of the beautiful scenery along our way.

This was a busy launching area for both fishing boats and rafts on the Kenai River.

After getting settled into a site at the campground where, if we look through the trees at just the right spot, we can see a glacier.   We were then off to the Portage Glacier Visitor Center.

See my new best friend, he was also visiting at the Visitor Center.

 

This iceberg was just outside the Visitor Center. wind had blown it from Portage Glacier to the Center, probably 10 miles.

Notice the iceberg in back of me, its size and shape, you will see why later.

We left the VC and headed to where the Portage Glacier Cruises departed from, just a few miles up the road.  We had no reservations, but we able to walk up 15 minutes prior to departure and get tickets.  The cruise was to last an hour and spend 30 minutes up at the glacier.

At first it was a little misty when we were approaching Portage Glacier. 

The expanse across Portage Glacier is 1/2 mile. Its length is 4 –1/2 miles.

The captain of the cruise boat collected some of the Portage Glacier water from over the edge of the boat, then had everyone, if they wanted, stick their hand in, but was about 36 degrees, burrr.  He said if you were to fall overboard, within 30 seconds your arms and legs would stop working.  If you had a life vest on, you might last 15 minutes.

You know the saying, it is only the tip of the iceberg that you are seeing, well here is a demonstration of that concept.  This was on the top deck of the boat in an aquarium.

After the cruise we headed back to the Visitor Center to get a smashed penny and to get my Passport book stamped  and  remember that  iceberg photo prior in the post, well, it is now in more pieces, the artistic ice sculpture collapsed.  Time between the photos about 2 hours.

I know I said in yesterday’s blog that we were going to where we would not have internet because of all the trees, well the site Bob picked for us does have a small view of the southern sky and we are online! 

Right now it is raining with outside temp 52 degrees, but with our Wave heater it is a cozy 71 degrees inside.

Tomorrow we hope to visit Hope and explore, then watch the Bore Tide in the afternoon as it comes in over the mudflats of Turnagain Arm.