Trip to Whittier - Alaska
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Whittier is a tiny settlement sitting on the shore of a long and narrow fjord named "Passage Canal" in Prince William Sound. The settlement was established by the US Army during World War II to serve as an equipment supply port. Its location was chosen because it is on the railroad that crosses Alaska, but mainly because of its excellent port characteristics: Whittier's port is located in a sheltered and quiet bay with deep water that never freezes.
Today, about 250 residents live there, earning their living mainly from fishing and tourism.
Most of the city's residents live in the same building. It is a 14-story building built in 1948 by the army as housing for its people. Its name: "Begich Tower." The building has narrow and dark corridors. It has a grocery store on the first floor and a clinic on the third floor. It is connected by an underground tunnel to the only school in the settlement, so the children do not need to leave the building on their way to school. This is a big advantage during Whittier's snowy winters. When it is not snowing, it usually rains.
Princess Cruises chose this port a few years ago as a starting and ending point for its line cruises, both because of the sheltered port and because of the town's proximity to Anchorage. The driving time from Anchorage International Airport (which is the closest airport to Whittier) is about an hour and a half to two hours.
A 4 km tunnel leads to the town named Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, which is shared by both the train and vehicles. It has only one lane, so passage is alternating and you have to wait in line until the opposite lane clears, sometimes half an hour or more.
In Whittier itself, there are no impressive attractions. It is nice to walk along the docks in the small boat harbor to see the fishermen returning loaded with their catch or tourists heading out for kayaking in Prince William Sound. Near the docks are several restaurants and souvenir shops. It is also worth visiting the historic "Begich Tower" to see where almost all the town's residents live. A recommended trip is a cruise to view the Blackstone Glacier.
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