Days: 67 – 72
Mile: 6526
On day 67 we said a fond farewell to our family and Kenai. Kenai responded with this wonderful rainbow over the Kenai River Esquary.
We got the oil changed in the Greyhawk, picked up some groceries and prescriptions and headed for Seward, on the southeast side of the Kenai Peninsula, Before going to Seward we took a two-day layover in Cooper Landing.
Cooper Landing is a fishing village on the Kenai River. The weather was cold and rainy, so Cooper Landing was about resting. We got a motel room and spent days 67 and 68 reading, watching old movies, sleeping and I got to soak in a hot bath.
On Day 69 we drove the rest of the way to Seward. Part of the drive took us along the glacier fed Kenai River, which is this amazing color of blue.
Just when I thought things couldn’t get much more beautiful, they did! We arrived in Seward, AK and Resurrection Bay.
First a brief history of Seward.
Built on a narrow strip of land between the mountains and Resurrection Bay, Seward is one of the few ports in south-central Alaska that is ice free all year. Seward was once a bustling commercial sea port. The wharf included a railroad dock, which allowed ships to unload goods immediately onto trains. All kinds of goods were unloaded and loaded to serve Seward, Anchorage and Interior Alaska. Passengers would disembark to stay in Seward or travel by train to the Interior.
The Great Alaska Earthquake of 1964 distroyed warehouses, docks and intersecting train tracks, The earthquake was a magnitude 9.2 and shook Seward for 3-4 minutes. During the shaking, a strip of land 50-400 feet wide along the Seward waterfront, together with docks and other harbor facilities, slid into Resurrection Bay as a result of a large-scale submarine land slide. The following 40 ft. tsunami, washed the rest of Seward into the bay. Fire from burning oil tanks added to the destruction. Seward’s harbor facilities were almost completely destroyed and the entire economic base of the town was wiped out.
Today, Seward’s economy is still almost entirely reliant on the port, just a different type of commerce. The waterfront is a park with RV and tent camping for hundreds of people. A railroad now transports tourists to and from Anchorage. The harbor has room for two cruise ships and there are multiple charter boat companies that will take you fishing or on a tour of the Kenai Fjords National Park. (We are taking a boat tour tomorrow to the park.)
Our campsite is right on the bay with the most amazing view. (Let’s hope there is not an earthquake while we are here or we will be toast.)
Our view on the right of our campsite. When you walk the beach you can still find pieces of railroad railing and chunks of concrete left from the earthquake distruction.
We are packed in along the waterfront, so getting to know your neighbors is easy and necessary.
Our view to the left. People come here from all over the world. In the evening, the trail along the shoreline is like one big party.
Seward is home to the Alaska SeaLife Center. The center is Alaska’s only permanent marine mammal rehabilitation facility. Their goal is to understand and maintain the integrity of the marine ecosystem of Alaska through research, rehabilitation, conservation and education. Here are some shots from our visit to the center.
Left-Right: Sea Pen, Basket Star, Puffin. The mammals were less cooperative.
I almost forgot, Seward is Mile 0 for the original Iditarod. Before it became an international sled dog race, the Iditarod was the name for the 2,300 mile system of trials used to deliver mail and medication to Interior Alaska including the Iditarod Mining District and Nome.
Today the race has two routes with a ceremonial start in Anchorage and an official start, the next day, in Willow, AK. The current race is just under 1,000 miles from Willow to Nome.
As for our mental health, we are doing great. Oh sure, we still have our “times”, mostly when driving and trying to navigate in this big rig. Living in such close quarters has it’s challenges too, but there is always the beautiful outdoors and dog walks! I’d say after 72 days we couldn’t be better.
Comments
3 responses to “Seward, AK”
What beauty! Thank you for your observations and photos.
Annie, I can see you may be signing up for the next Iditarod.
Enjoy!! Love and hugs!!
Wonderful pictures! You should read the book The Great Quake by Henry Fountain. It’s a fascinating study of the 1964 earthquake and how it changed Alaska. I learned a lot about geology and the natural history of Alaska and the people. Miss you both!
Love being by the water. But where are the flamingos? Miss you so much.