St. Moritz House in Girdwood – here we are! Loved the new housing with lots of bedroom space, in-law quarters for E&G and a good table for Quiddler and Five Crowns (somehow Kai always got the winning seat!).

The BIG adventure here was the Spencer Glacier/Iceberg and Placer River float trip (provided by Chugach Adventures), which begins at the Portage Train Depot just across from the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (AWCC). This allows for a visit at this wonderful AWCC, which is a sanctuary dedicated to preserving Alaska’s wildlife through conservation, education, research and quality animal care. Some of the animals here were injured and due to those injuries will never be able to be released back into the wild. Others are being bred to be reintroduced into preserve areas. It was a cold, rainy day but quite fun to see the various animals here – from rescued bears and wolves to bison and musk ox being bred for reintroduction.

At the appointed hour, we were at the Portage Train Depot getting suited up for the float trip and awaiting the Alaska Railroad’s Glacier Discovery Train to take us to the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop in the Chugach National Forest (not a NP, but close). Oh – what an adventure awaits – –

The boots were only the beginning. Next is a Personal Flotation Device and instruction of what to do if one falls out of the raft. Since the water is a mere 34 degrees the instruction was “do NOT fall out of the raft – but if you do, go to your happy place until rescued!?!” With that – hop into your raft!

This was a blast! Everyone returned with HUGE smiles and we even had hot chocolate and snacks on the raft. Couldn’t have been better.

Next day was a van trip to Whittier. In order to get to Whittier, one must drive through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel. This is the longest (2.5 miles) highway tunnel in North America and is a combined vehicle-railroad tunnel. The passage was constructed by the military during WWII to act as Alaska’s main supply route for goods arriving in the protected deep-water port in Whittier. It is designed for -40 Fahrenheit temps and 150 mph winds. Cars/trucks/RV’s go one direction on the hour in the opposite direction on the 1/2 hour and trains go in-between. FUN!!

On the return trip, a stop at the Portage Glacier Visitor Center is well worth it. Not only can you get a picture with Smokey, there is a great museum discussing the area, wildlife and glaciers.

And with that happy sight, it is time to once again pack up, leave this wonderful accommodation and little village of Girdwood and head to one more stop with another NP – Seward.

E & G – Still trying to get dry and warm from the AWCC and the float trip;-)