Kenai Fjords National Park

We set out the Tuesday morning to see Seward, AK and arrange a boat tour of Kenai Fjords National Park.  We departed at 6 PM for a four-hour evening cruise down Resurrection Bay and out into the Gulf of Alaska (briefly).  Weather was beautifully clear and temperatures were in the low 70’s.  The pictures can speak for themselves.

On Wednesday, we traveled a few miles to the Exit Glacier inside the Park.  After a mile-or-so hike we came to the edge of this famous glacier.  After a picnic lunch on the seawall in downtown Seward we toured the Marine Sea Live Center.  It is a fascinating place where you observe native animals in their marine habitat including birds, seal, sea lions, and types of fish.  Starfish are in “petting tanks” where you can touch (gently) living Starfish.

Tomorrow we will travel about 2 hours to Cooper Center on the Kenai River to spend a few days at the Princess Lodge RV Park (the only RV Park Princess Cruises owns in the world).  After some pampering we will travel to Soldotna where the salmon run is in full progress.

Joy adds another National Park

Many beautiful home line Resurrection Bay

Joy and Sharon can't resist putting their feet in.......burrrr

Fireweed is beautiful, everywhere, and the State Flower

We prepare to board of tour boat at 6 PM

Sailing in crystal blue waters

This about 9 PM on Resurrection Bay

Nearing the southern Bay 

Bear Glacier in Kenai Fjords

One of many fishing boats headed out into the Gulf of Alaska

Return trip looking toward Seward

Exit Glacier from a distance

Same glacier close-up after the hike

Bob, Sharon, and Joy at a post where the glacier was reported to be in the year of their birth

Downtown Seward

Notice how many pictures of Joy are in this blog?  I'm here too!

Close-up of the Alaskan Puffin

A seal family swims about at the Sea Life Center

This 1800 pound Sea Lion is waiting for lunch

Portage to Seward, AK

7/22/13

Sadly, we packed and departed the Williwaw Campground in Portage today.  This is a must-stop for any RVer’s passing by.  It has 60 sites, one-third is reservable, paved sites and road but no hook-ups. However, its beauty and serenity make up for that.  We sat just below the Middle Glacier with its striking blue ice at our campsite. 

Traveled down the Seward Highway today moving south to Seward, AK on the Gulf of Alaska and a trip to Kenai Fjord’s National Park.  The road down the Kenai Peninsula is breathtaking.  We are staying at the Stoney Creek RV Park just north of Seward the next three days.  The road is quite smooth with numerous turnouts and good shoulders as it winds through scenic terrain.

Seward Highway southbound milepost 55 or so

Alpine lakes are everywhere

As are glacial runoff streams

Approaching the Homer cut-off on Seward Highway

Joy takes another opportunity to soak her feet in ice water

Burn's Glacier, Sarah and Jason depart, and Anchorage shopping

7/19/13

Sarah and Jason were up reasonable early for a hike on the Burn’s Glacier Trail in Portage Valley before returning to the RV to pack for their trip home tonight.  We proceeded by up to Anchorage for an early dinner at Humpy’s Fish House (famed by history and a Man vs. Food television show).  After bidding Sarah and Jason farewell at the Ted Stevens Int’l. Airport we headed for Costco to pick up some groceries for the trip south.  Prices are still high in Anchorage but reasonable compared to the rest of Alaska.

7/20/13

Joy started the day with another record-breaking trip.  This time to get her hair cut in Anchorage about 45 miles away.  The first last week was the drive to the grocery store of about 125 miles.  We enjoyed a picture-perfect Saturday shopping, having lunch, and driving up into the mountains just east of Anchorage to see some beautiful homes with views of Cook Inlet and the City.

7/21/13

Walked the Burn’s Glacier trail today.  Joy couldn’t resist putting her feet in the water as it flowed out from under glacial ice.  “It’s really cold” were again her words.  In the evening we went to Girdwood having dinner at the 5^th Chair Restaurant followed by a ride up the Aleska Tramway for a view from high above the valley and Aleska Lodge Resort.  Winter ski trails just a few miles from downtown Anchorage.  Tomorrow we will depart for Seward and rejoin our friends, the Relyea’s, as their kids departed on Sunday evening.

Sarah and Jason stop in Willow, AK

Sarah misses her doggies.......

Jason is tempted to get a sled dog.....

This resident of Alaska is not a dog

Sarah tries the water below Burn's Glacier

Not too bad at 38 degrees......

Jason hike onto the glacial snow

Turnagain Arm Bore Tide is out

Anchorage from the mountains looking West

Joy with her "new haircut" at Beluga Point

Girdwood and Aleyska Lodge ahead

Burn's Glacier

Approaching Burn's Glacier

View across Portage Valley

Joy tries the glacial water at the source

Snow is almost gone...just before it comes again!

Headed up the Alyeska Tram

View from the top toward Turnagain Arm

Upper Ski Lodge

Heading back down from Alyeska

Glacial lake in Portage Valley

Down to Anchorage, Turnagain Arm, and Portage Valley

7/18/13

Sarah and Jason proceeded with the Jeep south toward Anchorage planning to meet up with us this evening somewhere south of there.  Joy and I followed in the motorhome down the 90 remaining miles of the Parks Highway that ends in the heart of downtown Anchorage.  There we joined the Seward Highway south about 50 miles winding along the Turnagain Arm of Cook Inlet.  Now this is one beautiful drive on good two-lane highway pressed between mountains and ocean.  We stopped for the next four nights in the National Forest Service’s Williwaw Campground site 15.  My lifetime NSP Golden Age passport allowed camping for $ 9 per day.  Getting old and being on the government “dole” may be pretty good after all.

RV Report:  Parks Highway is in good condition with some surface repairs between Willow and Wasilla.  The Parks Highway ends in downtown with good road markings turning south onto the Seward Highway.  No way to avoid a little city traffic.  The Seward Highway is an awe-inspiring drive along its entire length.

Fuel: $ 4.12/gallon for diesel at Tesoro in Anchorage.  $ 3.96/gallon for gasoline.

Passing through downtown Anchorage

Seward Highway south of Anchorage is AWESOME!

More Awesome

River passing through Williwaw Campground

Begich-Boggs Visitors Center near Portage Glacier

Joy finds a Hunk!!!!

Our "tree-house" RV on Site 15

There goes the Jeep

View of Middle Glacier right above our campground site