Evening In Anchorage (June 14th) And To Seward To Catch The Ship (June 15th)
We made it
We got into the hotel about 9:30pm on the 14th and R&R. The view was magnificent from this large hotel's top floor.
Sounds late except in Alaska in the summer, it was bright out!
Tomorrow....sightseeing and then off to the ship!
Anchorage is located at 61°13'06" North, 149°53'57" West , in South Central Alaska (slightly farther north than Oslo, Helsinki and St. Petersburg), northeast of the Alaska Peninsula, Kodiak Island, and Cook Inlet, due north of the Kenai Peninsula, northwest of Prince William Sound and Alaska Panhandle, and nearly due south of Mount McKinley/Denali.
The city is situated on a triangular peninsula bordered on the east by the Chugach Mountains, on the northwest by the Knik Arm, and on the southwest by the Turnagain Arm, upper branches of the Cook Inlet, which itself is the northernmost reach of the Pacific Ocean.
Bright and early we are up and ready to go!
Did You Know? - Anchorage has a subarctic climate (the Köppen climate classification is Dfc) but with strong maritime influences that moderate temperatures. Average daytime summer temperatures range from approximately 55–78 °F (13–26 °C); average daytime winter temperatures are about 5–30 °F (-15–-1.1 °C). Anchorage has a frost-free growing season that averages slightly over 101 days.
Beautiful city in the summertime
Did You Know? - A diverse wildlife population exists in urban Anchorage and the surrounding area. Approximately 250 black bears and 60 grizzly bears live in the area. Bears are regularly sighted within the city. Moose are a common sight. In the Anchorage Bowl, there is a summer population of approximately 250 moose, increasing to as many as 1000 during the winter.
Despite this, the city lacks coastal beaches, instead having wide, treacherous mud flats. Adjacent to the north is Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska.
To the south is Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska, and to the east is Valdez-Cordova Census Area, Alaska.
Our hotel, the Captain Cook, is Anchorage's only Preferred Hotel, is located in the heart of downtown. Minutes from the international airport, business attractions, and recreational activities. Our deluxe hotel offers the ultimate in luxury and convenience. Ask Jon and Zachary what they did to the cleaning lady in the hotel across the street! It was not pretty!!!
We Visited The Heritage Center On The Morning Of June 15th
We leave the hotel via motor coach for a tour of the heritage center . The Alaska Native Heritage Center is an exciting place where all people can come to expand their understanding of Alaska's first people.
Here we share the rich heritage of Alaska's eleven cultural groups - drawing upon the lifeways of long ago, the wisdom of our elders, and the traditions that endure.
The encounter is designed to enhance self-esteem among Native people and to encourage cross-cultural exchanges among all people.
Great houses to support the snowfalls
Chief powder in the face
Nappy time
Depart For The Ship Located In Seward (June 15th)
Then Off to the ship! We can embark after Noon on the 15th and get settled in.... and also go back on-shored and visit the town of Seward!
Princess provided another bus from Anchorage to Seward... not to bad.
Seward is a city in Kenai Peninsula Borough in the U.S. state of Alaska. According to 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 3,016.
It was named after William H. Seward, early member of the United States Republican Party, United States Secretary of State under Abraham Lincoln.
As Secretary of State, he fought for the U.S. purchase of Alaska which he finally negotiated to acquire from Russia.
It's A Short And Scenic Drive To The Ship
127 miles from Achorage To Seward -- Beats the 400 mile trip around the penninsula
Check The Current Weather
Anchorage weather is available from Weather Underground.
Stops Along The Way
We stopped at a place where they take care of hurt wild animals.
Sue was using the wheelchair because of her back... The grandsons were very very helpful
How to stay warm in the winter
Their own lake
Logs provided plenty of insulation
Watch our for these characters
Hitting The Road
This center took care of abandonded or hurt/sick anomals
Did You Know? - The moose (North America) or Eurasian elk (Europe) (Alces alces) is the largest extant species in the deer family. Moose are distinguished by the palmate antlers of the males; other members of the family have antlers with a dendritic ("twig-like") configuration. Moose typically inhabit boreal and mixed deciduous forests of the Northern Hemisphere in temperate to subarctic climates.
Moose used to have a much wider range but hunting and other human activities greatly reduced it over the years. Moose have been re-introduced to some of their former habitats. Their diet consist of both terrestrial and aquatic vegetation.
The most common moose predators are wolves, bears, and humans. Unlike most other deer species, moose are solitary animals and do not form herds. Although generally slow moving and sedentary, moose can become aggressive and move surprisingly fast if angered or startled.
Did You Know? - In North America, the moose range includes almost all of Canada (excluding the arctic), most of Alaska, northern New England and upstate New York, the upper Rocky Mountains, northeastern Minnesota, Michigan's Upper Peninsula, and Isle Royale in Lake Superior. Within this massive range, the most diverse range of subspecies exist, containing habitat for four of the six subspecies. In western portions of the continent, moose populations extend well north into Canada (British Columbia and Alberta) and more isolated groups have been verified as far south as the mountains of Utah and Colorado and as far west as the Blue Mountains of Oregon.
Z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z
Black bear
Did You Know? - The American black bear (Ursus americanus) is North America's smallest and most common species of bear. Black bears are omnivores, with their diets varying greatly depending on season and location. Black bears typically live in largely forested areas, but do leave forests in search of food.
Sometimes they become attracted to human communities because of the immediate availability of food. The American black bear is listed by the IUCN as Least Concern, due to the species' widespread distribution and a large global population estimated to be twice that of all other bear species combined. American black bears often mark trees with their claws to show dominance in an area. Dominance is determined by the highest claw mark found on the tree. This behavior is common to many species of bears found in the United States and Canada.
There is always snow in Alaska
The Ship, The Ship! The Star Princess
The Star Princess is a Princess Cruises cruise ship. The Star Princess is a sister ship of the Grand Princess and the Golden Princess. An earlier ship of the same name is now operating as the Ocean Village. The Star Princess was built by Fincantieri in Monfalcone, Italy in 2002, and has hull number 6051.
It appeared hugh in the distance
It was hugh
Exploring Seward Alaska On The Morning Of June 15th, 2002
After exploring the beautiful port town of Seward, gateway to the Kenai Fjords National Park, board the ship for a 10:00pm departure.
Situated at the head of Resurrection Bay on the Kenai Peninsula, Seward is one of Alaska's oldest and most picturesque town with a bustling harbor and historic downtown district filled with quaint shops and art galleries.
Experience trophy sport fishing, glacier and wildlife cruises, sailing, hiking, kayaking, flight seeing, summer dog sled rides, and more. Seward is also a winter wonderland offering cross-country skiing and snow machining adventures.
Where Is It???
Wherever you go in Seward, also known as the "Gateway to the Kenai Fjords National Park," you'll find friendly hospitality and a sense of pride among residents.
At 3,022 feet, towering Mt. Marathon provides a breathtaking backdrop for the town. Behind Mt. Marathon and extending down the coast lies the Harding Icefield, measuring 35 by 20 miles.
Flowing from the Harding Icefield are many glaciers, eight of which are tidewater glaciers, icebergs calving into the sea, reaching the coastline between Seward and Homer.
Seward Is On The Water!
Elevation? Probably 5 feet
Very small city right on the water
Just east of the city is Exit Glacier
