Introduction to Seward, Alaska

June 12th, 2016

I am writing this entry 5 days late, and among us we couldn’t quite remember what we did, and when we did it. I do this time-consuming blog so I can remember our vacations details that are so soon forgotten, then have it published in a book for posterity.

The first order of business was to get a lay of the land here in Seward. See what was available, and check on the weather forecast.

Stopping at the visitor center was very informative, armed with maps and brochures we then headed to the Kenai National Park Visitor’s Centers for more details and to see a movie.  I got my facts mixed up and we went to the wrong place and saw the wrong movie, but it was educational as well.

Lunch at Chinooks on the dock in Seward

We had lunch downtown at Chinooks Bar, ( Vickie had a fabulous mac and cheese with scallops ) then proceeded to Miller’s Landing to talk to the people I had booked a kayak trip through using Groupon.

A beautiful spot on a Lowell's point walk

We were standing where the water is just minutes before the water rushed in! Yeah Norm for noticing it before we all got wet!

We took what we thought was going to be a quick, easy hike along the coast to Lowell Point that turned out to be steeper and longer and unfortunately afforded no views until we got to the end.  As we were standing out on the beach area,( or spit ) thank goodness Norm noticed how fast the tide was coming in!  Within 5 minutes, we would have been wading in the icy waters of Resurrection Bay!

This young woman may win the Halibut Tournament's Woman's Division with this 112 lb beauty. Yummmm

We then hunted all over town for some fresh fish!  Can you imagine? All the fish for the walk-in public was already frozen, and who wants that?  We may have to go fishing!  We finally found a small fish processing business that was able to sell us a couple of pounds of sockeye salmon that JUST came in, which were really delicious.  Even Vickie, who does not like salmon, enjoyed the meal.

June 11th, 2016

The Alaska SeaLife Center is one of those “must-do’s”  that everyone recommends who have come to Seward, so we “must –do”.  It was very interesting with it’s huge tanks holding sea lions, others holding all kinds of local fish and bottom dwelling creatures.

 The bird section I found most interesting with their beautiful ducks and puffins swimming just a few feet away without dirty or splashed windows to hamper your view.  Visitors felt like they were right in the wilds, up on a poopy cliff somewhere!

The museum offers several “encounters” daily.  You can pet an octopus (really cool), get up close and personal with the mammals, and a special encounter with Sea Otters for the summer.  I assumed you could do all of these things with your general admission, but at $75 per encounter, we all passed.  We did get to touch star fish (which the new politically correct name is “sea stars”)and sea anemones.

We then went on the hunt for a better lunch encounter.  After strolling up and down the main road, it was recommended that we go to Zudi’s - a cute little place which was a rehabbed railroad station.

Norm and Dennis found a place that would fill the growlers thoughtfully provided by our hosts

The owner teaches classes at the Culinary Institute, and we were told the food was more healthy than the fried fish that was mostly offered in the other restaurants and pubs.  Sounded good.
Well, it wasn’t.  Norm got the Halibut sandwich which he did like. Three of us got the “garden” soup, which we all agreed tasted like water with a very few veggies thrown in.  It has so much pepper or other spicy ingredient I sent mine back and got the chicken vegetable.  I figured her cost on a bowl was 10 cents, so I didn’t feel badly.  Since I am gluten free, the bowl of water was not going to hold me long.  Dennis and Vickie also got a sandwich which was not particularly good either. At about $60 for this lunch per couple, we left feeling a little stung.  We all agree that cooking our own meals is the way to go. Norm and hardly ever eat our lunch in a restaurant.

A funky restaurant that just opened for the season 

We went back for a nap, and that night we went out again.  Went to a place called the “Salmon bake” and, in my opinion, wasted more money.  We are going to try to catch our own.

June 12th has escaped our memories, unfortunately.  Alaska people are really into challenges.  They love the outdoors no matter what the weather.  How high the winds or how deep the snow.

Can you believe people of all ages ( incredibly fit ) RUN up and down this mountain? If they are lucky, there will be snow they can slide down to cut their race time down.

One challenge I find fascinating is their annual race up Mt Marathon.  The legend is that two guys were in bar drinking and boasting.  One of them claims he can run up and back down Mt Marathon ( a whooping elevation gain of 3,022 feet over rock, gravel and snow and no apparent trail )in under an hour.  Other bar patrons egged them on, and suggested it be held on a holiday so all could watch the insanity.  Well, an Event was born.  Seward's Independence Day's Celebration attracts thousands of folks, including elite racers and trail runners from all over the world, as well as many locals we have talked to.  Check out this YouTube video of this crazy race.

The oldest winner was 41 did it in 47:32
Youngest winner was 16 time of 47:32
Oldest Finisher was 82 at 1:56
I think the record is 41:48

Utterly amazing.  I wish we were still here then.  We will be in Valdez