One of the most anticipated days on our RV2AK itinerary was finally here! Seems sorta weird too, since this would be our last full day (and night) together with the campervan. But since initially planning for this trip and booking tours and activities we wanted to do, taking a boat tour of the Kenai Fjords National Park out of Seward was top of the list. We were very fortunate to be able to pick up the tour tickets at 40% off during their annual sale around Thanksgiving last fall.
Because the tour departed at 8:30am, we had to be to the Seward boat marina by 8:00am. Add to that roughly a 30 minute drive from our camp in Moose Pass; we had to set the alarm clock for 6:00am. My goodness . . . on vacation and setting an alarm clock! But you do what you have to, especially if you don't want to miss something you've prebooked and paid for.
The
8.5 hour Northwestern Fjord Cruise by Major Marine is billed as one of
the more remote tours available out of Seward. Traveling on a small vessel with a
capacity of just 60 people, provided for ample space and a more intimate
experience on the water with wildlife and the geological features.
Being the very first day of their 2024 summer season for this tour, the captain and
crew were as excited as we were about what the day would provide. We were barely out into Resurrection Bay when a pod of orcas was spotted. Shortly there after, a solo humpback whale was observed lunge feeding. Both sightings were very far away, but I was fortunate to capture a couple of images. These were both cropped from photographs taken several hundred yards away.
Other marine wildlife including sea otters, stellar seals and harbor seals were observed throughout our journey. We also saw some mountain goats and a black bear far off on the land. Puffins and a large variety of birds were also seen, although admittedly I'm not much of a birder and trying to photogragh them is always a challenge for me.
But clearly the star of the show was the glaciers seen throughout the Kenai Fjords National Park.
While at the face of the Northwestern Glacier, the thunderous boom that accompanied the dumping of ice into the water (aka "calving") was amazing! While there, we witnessed the glacier calve a couple of times. The ice seen floating here is the result of the glacier calving. Seen on the larger icebergs were dozens of harbor seals. Every now and then one would swim close to the boat, and then dive under if approached for a photo. I just enjoyed watching them, watch us.
And the waterfalls! Check this video out as our captain got us right up to it. Being very early in the spring season, the melt off and early spring rains had them flowing loudly.
When we got back to the marina, there was a bit of rain coming down, but not to worry as we had made dinner reservations at Ray's Waterfront Restaurant right there at the marina. It was a bit of a strange experience for us, as I can't recall a time when a server dissuaded a guest from ordering a "house specialty" because of past complaints about the serving being small. That said, Pam had her mind made up to have the captain's catch (a seafood sampler), while I opted for the halibut oscar. We both enjoyed our meals and did a bit of sharing as well.
After dinner, we headed back to the campground where we settled in for a chilly and damp night. The next morning I would wake up with what was either allergies from the damp rainforest area we were camping in, or a full on cold. Either way, I was pretty miserable for my last day with Pam before she had to fly out of Anchorage on Sunday.
TO BE CONTINUED
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