It was another very rainy week in the Kenai, but we managed to do a few really cool activities between the rain. We visited the Alaska Sealife Center (definitely recommended), and did a 6 hour Kenai Fjords Boat Tour, where we saw Orcas going after sea lions. The boat trip was a bit long and expensive for what you get to see, but still glad we did it.
The camping options in Seward are pretty unusual. The city runs 5 back-to-back campgrounds with a total of over 300 sites along the waterfront, many with great views of the bay, for an outrageous $40/night for ‘dry camping (no hookups) and $55/night with hookups). This land was part of a huge railroad yard that was completely destroyed in the 1964 earthquake and tsunami, the most powerful earthquake recorded in North American history (magnitude 9.2), and the second most powerful earthquake recorded in world history. You can also park on the street near the Sealife center for free. There are free showers in the middle campground, but much nicer showers for $2 at the Harbormaster office. We paid for 3 nights along the water, but our 4th night in Seward we just did free parking on the street.
On both our first day and last day in Seward area, we had great meals and cocktails at the 50’s style Flamingo Lounge with it’s huge decanter collection. This restaurant would be right at home in San Francisco in terms of style and food quality. We also enjoyed hanging out and meeting locals at the Yukon Bar.
We drove down to the Lowell Point State Recreation Area a bit south of town, where I was able to take my folding kayak out on Resurrection Bay.
We also spent 3 nights just outside of Seward on the way to the Exit Glacier in a fantastic free camp spot along the river with beautiful views of the valley (when it was not fogged in, which was about half the time). This was a great base for doing the incredible Harding Ice Field Trail (my favorite hike so far in Alaska). I also hiked the Resurrection River Trail, which was beautiful until the thorny Devil’s Club plant took over the trail. Luckily there is no poison oak/ivy in Alaska, but you want to avoid brushing against Devil’s Club as well.
Photos albums for this week: Seward and Kenai Fjords Boat Trip and Harding Ice Field Trail.
