ALASKA 2012 - DAY 11

This day dawned wet and foggy, not unlike numerous other days on the road have begun.  However, this day stayed that way for almost our whole time on the road.  We left Anchorage and drove along the Turnagain Arm of the Cook Inlet in rain and fog.

This stretch of the road is very beautiful, and one often sees beluga whales and big horn sheep along the road.  Today it was wind and rain and limited visibility.

We stopped in Girdwood for a coffee, and then decided to take a sidetrip along Portage Valley towards Portage Glacier and Whittier.  Ernie was excited to drive through the Whittier tunnel, which we have gone through before, but on the train, not in our vehicle.  This is the harbor at Whittier.  There are thousands of boats in the harbor.  The Alaska Marine Highway System Ferry leaves from here to go through Prince William Sound to Cordova, a trip that Chris and I did in 2002.

Love the colorful stacks of kayaks stacked on the racks.

Portage Valley is full of waterfalls.  The weather was so dreary, windy, and rainy, so I wasn't able to get any good pictures.  Trust me, it's beautiful!

I should find a picture of Turnagain Pass that I took in January of 2011 to show you how it looks in winter compared to the fall view.  Both times are beautiful.

The rain actually got worse the closer to Homer that we got.  But the scenery is still awesome.

There is only one decision to make on the whole five hour drive.  You can either go straight to Seward, or you can turn to Homer.  Most roads in Alaska are that way.  You go here or there.....no other roads or choices are available!

And now we are here.....this is the overlook with the Homer Spit in the distance.

I cannot wait to get me some of that halibut.  I absolutely love it!

We are at a motel in Homer.  The car is loaded with the items we shopped for the last couple of days.  We have:  Apples, a few gluten free items, a fitting for the propane grill, gas for the boat, beer, wine, and chicken feed.  I think we are ready to load the ferry tomorrow morning and head 17 miles across Ketchemak Bay to Seldovia and our son, Chris and his sweet Amy.  Cannot wait!