KO and the Turk: Seeing Seward and Kenai Peninsula. On to Anchorage

Reflecting on the trip, one of my favorite areas was the Kenai Peninsula where we just scratched the surface on exploring its fjords, hikes and towns. Seward was just opening up for the season and was still quiet, primarily full of locals or seasonal workers. I loved seeing the local sheriff visiting various shops to greet, by name, the owners and guests. While we walked down the street, I saw him with his head sticking inside the open window of a pickup truck, chatting and laughing with the driver. The laid back, can do attitude of everyone was comforting and reassuring. Though I am pretty sure I wouldnt want to spend a winter there, spring, summer and fall could be options!

colorful murals painted on buildings brightened up the town

Seward was the start of original Idiratod Trail

typical Alaska store has EVERYTHING you could need, cell phones and totem poles

Home base was Seward, a small town that is typically skipped by the cruiseships because its port was destroyed in 1964 by the tsunami and earthquake. But it appears a cruiseship dock and terminal is being built which will change the small town's personality and commerce.

original buildings, survived the tsunami

Turk greeting the locals, the only bear we saw!

watch out for mischievous raven!

To test our stamina, we hiked up part of Mt. Marathon in Seward. We find out later this is considered a strenuous hike by Alaskans. However, annually, there is a foot race to top and back. We did not sign up and were satisfied with our partial climb that seemed to garner respect when we told locals of the hike. Maybe its our age?!

note the warning signs coming down the trail - cliff !

Mt. Marathon. We did NOT get beyond tree line.

looking out from Seward seaside park

prepping for Ididarod

hanging with old locals

Big adventure - kayak a fjord to a glacier! Turk is not a swimmer and doesnt really like kayaking, or cold water. What could go wrong?!

our boat to the fjord, 2 hours to glacier

Seward port with 'small' cruise ship

entering the fjord with glacier in the distance. humpbacks and Dahl porpoises!

off the boat, unload the kayaks

here we go!

Brave Turk, not so good kayaker

Holgate Glacier awaits!

icebergs that calved from the glacier. Glacier was 'thundering'

glacier ice!

greeted by puffins

bright blue area is from newly fallen ice

close enough! We rocked in the waves from calved ice.

Area around glacier turned greener by the day

We survived! Then a 2 hour boat ride back to Seward.

Next day was our Alaska Railroad trip to Anchorage via the picturesque Turnagain Arm.

our train is ready, and pointing to Anchorage

We dressed the appropriate colors!

strange sights along the way-car tree

picturesque landscape. I noticed a bike trail which would be interesting to take

still so much snow

tunnel view!

around 10pm (May) and sun is starting to set

Two different views of the Turnagain Arm - low tide

one of the largest tidal bores in North America

Once in Anchorage, we NEEDED to bike along the beach which had been destroyed by the 1964 earthquake and tsunami. Destination: Earthquake Park. The bike trail was fun, interesting and we ran out of time to go longer.