Kenai Peninsula - The Most Scenic Drives in America: 120 Spectacular Road Trips - page 19

Numerous moose live in the greater Anchorage area, as do a number of bears. These
creatures are sometimes visible from the road heading out of town, as are bald eagles soar-
ing overhead. Gazing skyward, you may notice that the eagles share the air with pontoon-
fitted seaplanes, based at Anchorage's Lake Hood, the busiest seaplane port in the world.
2. Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge
On the outskirts of Anchorage, the highway passes through a prime locale for bird-watch-
ing. Potter Marsh, as it is known hereabouts, attracts waterfowl from early spring through
fall. A boardwalk winds across one section of the marsh, affording close encounters with
Canada geese, arctic terns, green-winged teal, and pintails.
3. Chugach State Park
Nearly half the size of Delaware, Chugach State Park encompasses a half-million acres of
forest, mountains, and glaciers. Visit the Potter Section House, a restored building once
occupied by railroad workers who maintained tracks here during the days of steam loco-
motives. Declared a state historic site, the structure is home to the Chugach State Park
headquarters.
Continuing east, the road follows the north coast of Turnagain Arm, so named by Cap-
tain James Cook, who sailed with his expedition up this narrowing extension of Cook Inlet
in an unsuccessful hunt for the fabled Northwest Passage in 1778. When he hit a dead end,
Cook was forced to “turn again.”
4. Beluga Point
Nearing Beluga Point, you may see a number of cars slowing down or pulling off the road
at the viewing area overlooking Turnagain Arm. The seasonal tie-up, caused by the sight
of white beluga whales, is known locally as a “whale jam.” To facilitate viewing, the area
isequippedwithtelescopesandinterpretivedisplays.Whenapodofwhalesswimsby,thin
puffsofmistcanbeseensuspendedintheairovertheirspouts,andtheirwhitebodiescon-
trast beautifully with the dark waters of Turnagain Arm.
Competing with whales for visitors' attention near Beluga Point are the unusual “bore
tides” created when incoming tides from Cook Inlet are squeezed into Turnagain Arm's
narrow channel. These walls of water can be six feet high and travel about 10 to 15 miles
anhour.Announcingitsapproachwithaneerieroar,theborearrivesabout45minutesafter
low tide.