June 29, 2016 North to Alaska Day 23

We are up early and on our way by 7:30.  We have a ferry to catch in Whittier which wouldn't be an issue except for the Whittier Tunnel.

When driving from Anchorage to Whittier you’ll go through Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel—the longest (2.5 miles) highway tunnel in North America, and the first designed for -40 Fahrenheit temperatures and 150 mph winds! 

The one-lane tunnel must be shared by cars and trains traveling in both directions, and it usually needs to be aired out in between trips (with jet turbine ventilation, another first!). This unique design that enables a single lane of traffic to travel directly over the railroad track saved tens of millions of dollars over the cost of constructing a new tunnel.  www.alaska.org

Photo thanks to Lyon

Because of sharing the tunnel with not only the train, but oncoming traffic you have to work out your timing with the schedule. Eastbound is on the half hour.  We arrive well before that time. The tunnel toll collector took time to explain how it all would work to us, while the mosquitos feasted on us.  They were so bad most of us had to keep our helmets on while we waited, or break out the bug dope. We caught up to Ken again while waiting for the tunnel.

We had to wait until the last car has entered. It was explained that bikes go last in case they have a problem (such as crash and burn) this way a tour bus won't run over us.  Gee, thanks, I think.

 Photo thanks to Tim

Once the all clear is given, we are off

Photo thanks to Tim

We start by crossing one rail so we can ride down the center.  The pavement is grooved, like a highway when under repair. It grabs my front wheel and make it dance.  I was VERY uncomfortable.  It didn't seem to bother anyone else.  And then in two places we went buffeted by the wind caused by the fans exhausting the fumes.  I guess they don't wait until it's empty anymore. Now I really felt like a ping pong ball.

But it drops you off right at the deep water port of Whittier

Nestled in the arm of a fjord, glaciers and all!!

After getting our boarding passes it was time for coffee, and a short 5 minute rain shower

Wayne, checking to see if the ferry is coming

Then it was time to move to the holding area.  Once again we will go on last. There will be 8 bikes total on our boat. We are labeled as having hazmat.  It's our empty spare gas cans as well as our cooking fuel.  They take all of this and store it in a fire proof locker.  Hmmm, what about the gas INSIDE our bikes and cars??

Lyon, as we head out of Whittier

The clouds are still with us, but no rain

This was all I got of the whate

Photo thanks to Lyon

Lyon had better luck

The clouds start to break up

Sea lions doing what they do best

It's turning out to be a beautiful afternoon

Icebergs!!!

Tim and Wayne

Tim is from North Carolina.  He is riding a Yamaha WR250X, which is a really small displacement bike for all the miles  he's putting on.  For his story check out ADVRider.com in the Epic Rides section, titled Tiny Bike to Alaska 2016.  We also spent time with a couple of guys from Arkansas, Charlie and Dale.  Great guys, lots of fun.  You meet the nicest people on a motorcycle!!

The oil tanks at the Valdez terminus of the pipeline
While in Fairbanks we saw the Alaska Pipeline, here is where it ends, waiting for tankers to take it to the lower 48.  Our ferry didn't go very close to where the Exxon Valdez dumped it's load, but they say the clean up did its job.

We camped in Valdez, with the bunnies.  They look like domestic bunnies and are all over the place.

Odd campground.  Our bikes were down here, but we camped at the top of the steps. hmmm.

It was a great day, I loved the ferry ride.

Critter Count:  1 whale
some sealions
lots of birds

1 short rain shower
82 road miles plus a ferry ride