sue sherman family: May 28, Turquoise Ice?

Headed southwest this morning, through Anchorage, and along Cook's Inlet to Whittier. Last time, we visited the town of Whittier which required us to go through the tunnel. Vehicles and trains take turns using the tunnel which is quite interesting. This time we took the glacier cruise on this side of the mountain.

These smaller glaciers float in Portage Lake by the Vistor's Center. The turquoise color is so beautiful in these

floating works of art.

It was a great one-hour cruise, getting closer to 0the glacier fields and the floating icebergs. A little misty; but the Captain said that this was a good day...it usually rains more.

I was hoping to see part of the iceberg falling off into the water...like you see on documentaries. The Captain said one had already fallen off earlier in the morning.

The waterfalls cascading down the rock cliffs into the lake was spectacular! Portage Lake is a fresh water lake; but fish cannot live there very long. The water has a grayish, turquoise color that comes from the silt that is present. The silt settles to the bottom continuously and prevents plants from growing for fish to survive.

I have these flowers at home too called Lupines. The Captain on the boat said that Lichens and Lupines are one of the first plants to grow after glaciers melt away. The put nitrogen in the soil that acts as a natural fertilizer.

Further on down the road we came across this glacier field. People had homes along this highway and get to wake up to this every morning. Unbelievable!

Had lunch at this ski resort called Alyeska in Girwood. It has over 2000 vertical feet, an Aeriel tram and 27 trails.

Can't imagine going down these mountains!

Highway 1 gets more and more beautiful as we go further northeast. Yes...northeast, we're kind of heading in the direction of home. Thinking of going through Edmonton, BC and head east.