Portage Lake and Whittier

 

We made the drive to Portage Lake thinking that we would hike across the frozen lake to the glacier. It was a really nice day but the wind was blowing like crazy. Our poor kids were getting sandsnowblasted. We got a little ways across the lake before our concern for their skin (and a slushy lake surface) made us turn around. We hiked up a bit around the lake and found some deep snow perfect for Andrew to throw the kids into.

Since we ended our intended hike early we figured we might as well drive a little further and check out Whittier. To get to Whittier you have to go through a toll tunnel - a 2 1/2 mile, rock-walled, one lane tunnel that is shared with train tracks (the last photo is the entrance to the tunnel from the Whittier side). There are special times you go through (so you don't get flattened by a train or head on another vehicle) along with many instructions for what to do in case of an emergency. It was a very, very long 2 1/2 miles for me. Andrew asked me to take pictures in the tunnel but since I wouldn't open my eyes they all turned out crap.

Whittier is super cute but everything except for one hotel and grocery store is closed for the winter. We ate a light lunch at the Anchor Inn and headed back. We look forward to visiting both destinations in the summer - we'll take a cruise to the glacier and walk all the cute little shops in Whittier.

And we'll remember the "real" camera next time as well - all these photos were taken with the iPhones.