Turning 50 on the Kenai

Today I turned 50!  To celebrate, Jay planned a family trip to Seward, AK.  Up until this point we had only been as far south as Anchorage.  As we had heard a lot of great things about this seaside destination, we were eager to explore for ourselves.

We arrived on Tuesday afternoon without a plan so we decided to visit the Seward SeaLife Center.  After walking the exhibits, Jay purchased behind the scene tickets for a more in-depth discussion on cephalopods (squid and octopuses).  We have done many aquariums with the kids in the past so we were not surprised when Luke answered all the questions asked…correctly.  I must say, the girl speaking was highly impressed with Luke’s knowledge of marine life.  If we’d had more time, we would have liked to have done the octopus experience which allows you to actually touch an octopus.  However, with limited time, that will have to wait.

The next morning, Jay and I left the kids in the hotel while we browsed the shops and had breakfast.  We decided to eat at Zudy’s.  This is a charming café overlooking Resurrection Bay.  It was once the Seward train depot but the railroad tracks (not the building) were destroyed during the 1964 earthquake.  In speaking with Zudy (aka, Judy-her younger sister wasn’t able to say Judy), they leased the building from the Seward SeaLife Center for several years before finally purchasing it last year. 

The following day was my big surprise.  Jay had booked a glacier tour through Kenai Fjord Tours.  We were picked up from our hotel at 2:00 pm for a 3:00 pm departure.  We were told we “might” see marine life but no guarantees.  Well, guess what???  Our excursion did not disappoint.  We saw otters, puffins, humpback whales, sea lions, seals, and wait for it….ORCAS!!!  Happy birthday to me! 

After the excitement of the orcas, we settled in for dinner service (included with purchase).  I wasn’t holding my breath for a great meal but was pleasantly surprised at how good it was.  On the menu was salad, two nice sized crab cakes, and a dinner roll.  The crab cakes were delicious! I’m not positive but I believe there is a dinner option for those with shellfish allergies. 

Following dinner, we finally made it to the “river of ice”.  The Aialik Glacier, part of the Kenai Fjords National Park, is the most substantial of the glaciers in the Kenai Peninsula Borough of Alaska.  Our captain mentioned that this glacier moves about seven feet per year.  An interesting fact about the glacier is that what is visible to us is only 10% of the glacier with the remaining 90% being under water.  Mind blown!!!

For those that have not experienced an up close look at a glacier,  I’m not sure I can properly explain the sheer massiveness.  These slow moving bodies of ice are breathtaking yet frightening at the same time.  They can calve at any time (and do) and it sounds like a thunderous boom.  It is sad to think that one day they will no longer be around.  Take lots of photos as they will never look the same.

Until next time…keep wandering!