We landed in Anchorage late last night. Over the next two weeks, we will be covering most of the heartland. Plan is to cover the south during week 1 and then to work our way up to Fairbanks and Arctic Circle during the second week.
Weather threatens to play spoil sport though. The prediction is for rains through the week!
We travelled around 150 miles today from Anchorage to Seward. The Seward Highway lived up to its promise. It is an 127 mile highway that stretches from Anchorage to Seward and is strewn with memorable stop-over spots. The Alaskan rail line also runs parallel till Whittier and is a serious option for travelers not comfortable with long distance drives.
We started around 8 AM. The initial stop was Potter Marsh (Mile 117). The boardwalk offered a good view of the landscape. More importantly, it progressively explained how marshes were formed, its evolutionary life cycle and why wetlands were critical. And all in a simple format that my 7 year old son could understand. The impact of visual media coupled with direct observation is indeed powerful.
We then made few quick stops at Turnagain Arm (Mile 115) - one of the two spots in US with bore tides, Beluga Point (Mile 110) and Windy Point (Mile 106). No whales at Beluga point but we did get to see few Dall Sheep at the Windy Point.
Went up the Bird Ridge Trail (Mile 102). Roughly 1 mile hike up the hill with the second half fairly tough to negotiate. However, well worth the view of the Turnagain Arm that one gets to see from the top. Also came across few thought inspiring sign posts around the native stories (they are called Sukdu) and poems. It was inspiring to see how they befriended the nature in such a tough terrain.
We then had a long non-stop driving stretch with a detour to Hope (Mile 56). A 17 mile drive through green hilly terrain brought us to a quaint been-there village from gold-rush days. They do have a mean Strawberry Milkshake available from the Discovery Cafe at the entry to the village though.
Didnt stop long elsewhere for the rest of our journey as it started raining. Did have a look-in at Moose Creek (Mile 32) and a lotus pool (Mile 15).
Reached Seward Windsong lodge - off Exit Glacier turn-off - around 3.15 PM. Slightly more than 7 hours drive including a 30 minute lunch break.
Post check-in, did a quick drive through of Seward downtown area that was around 5 miles away.
Stopped at the Alaska Sea Life Center. My son loved the two hours we spent there. The displays were beautifully arranged. The underwater and above ground views of Steller Sea Lions and Sea Otters were fascinating.
Did you know that Steller discovered six species of which 2 are now extinct and 3 are endangered? Talk about Midas touch!
We have a Fjords tour planned tomorrow. Also hoping to see more of Exit Glacier.
Had a good first day. Bit tired after the long drive and slightly hampered by the rain during the later portion of the day.
Weather threatens to play spoil sport though. The prediction is for rains through the week!
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| View from Potter Marsh |
We started around 8 AM. The initial stop was Potter Marsh (Mile 117). The boardwalk offered a good view of the landscape. More importantly, it progressively explained how marshes were formed, its evolutionary life cycle and why wetlands were critical. And all in a simple format that my 7 year old son could understand. The impact of visual media coupled with direct observation is indeed powerful.
We then made few quick stops at Turnagain Arm (Mile 115) - one of the two spots in US with bore tides, Beluga Point (Mile 110) and Windy Point (Mile 106). No whales at Beluga point but we did get to see few Dall Sheep at the Windy Point.
Went up the Bird Ridge Trail (Mile 102). Roughly 1 mile hike up the hill with the second half fairly tough to negotiate. However, well worth the view of the Turnagain Arm that one gets to see from the top. Also came across few thought inspiring sign posts around the native stories (they are called Sukdu) and poems. It was inspiring to see how they befriended the nature in such a tough terrain.
 |
| Sukdu found in Bird Ridge Trail |
We then had a long non-stop driving stretch with a detour to Hope (Mile 56). A 17 mile drive through green hilly terrain brought us to a quaint been-there village from gold-rush days. They do have a mean Strawberry Milkshake available from the Discovery Cafe at the entry to the village though.
 |
| Hope - still lives on |
Reached Seward Windsong lodge - off Exit Glacier turn-off - around 3.15 PM. Slightly more than 7 hours drive including a 30 minute lunch break.
Post check-in, did a quick drive through of Seward downtown area that was around 5 miles away.
Stopped at the Alaska Sea Life Center. My son loved the two hours we spent there. The displays were beautifully arranged. The underwater and above ground views of Steller Sea Lions and Sea Otters were fascinating.
 |
| At Alaska Sea Life Center |
We have a Fjords tour planned tomorrow. Also hoping to see more of Exit Glacier.
Had a good first day. Bit tired after the long drive and slightly hampered by the rain during the later portion of the day.
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