When we decided to go to Alaska and began researching places, buying books, and looking on-line, I noticed the claims of legendary sourdough and longstanding sourdough starters at several restaurants. Day three we were scheduled to travel to Seward. I requested eating at an establishment along the way that boasted of sourdough pancakes. I just had to try them. I had already figured out how to get to Gwennie's before I even asked to go. I got my sourdough and was so excited by the smell as the waitress put the plate in front of me. I must say once the syrup is on there, you can't taste the sourdough anymore. Oh well, at least I got a chance to try them.
The drive to Seward from Anchorage is considered an Alaska Scenic Highway and voted an All-American Road by the Department of Transportation. You drive along Turnagain Arm, through Chuguch State Park and Forest, pass by people picking blueberries in the fields, have a chance to see Beluga Whales in Cook Inlet or spot a Dall sheep along the cliffs. It is a beautiful drive and has many turnoffs so that you can stop and take in the scenery. I, of course, wanted to see the beluga whales. The Cook Inlet belugas are genetically distinct and geographically isolated from other beluga whales. That is not the reason I wanted to see these whales. I just want to see a Beluga and thought this may be my best chance. At milepost 110, you can turn into Beluga Point. From this vantage point, you may watch the bore tide or possibly see belugas as they follow the bore tide. We were there at low tide. No beluga whales. We also stopped at Bird Point. This is another turn off along this stretch of highway. Even though its Bird Point, this is the location with the beluga sculptures and information about the Cook Inlet Beglua Whales. The tide was still out.
There were options of things to do along the way to Seward. You can go to Girdword and ride the tram to the 2300 foot Mount Alyeska. There is a restaurant up there and supposedly beautiful views. You can stop at Portage Glacier and take a short boat trip to see the glacier. The glacier has receded from view from the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center. We stopped here and we could see icebergs that had drifted down to the center. We chose to not see the glacier up close since we were doing the tour of Kenai Fjords the next day. We chose to go to Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. The animals are here due to rehabilitation needs. I got very close to a moose with just a wire fence between us. The grizzly bears were equally as close but it had electricity attached to their fence. While there, the gift shop staff reported that some of the animals were used in the film Into the Wild. (I suggest reading the book before seeing the movie.)
Slowly we made our way to Seward. Which will be a day four post. Below are pictures along the way on day three.
The drive to Seward from Anchorage is considered an Alaska Scenic Highway and voted an All-American Road by the Department of Transportation. You drive along Turnagain Arm, through Chuguch State Park and Forest, pass by people picking blueberries in the fields, have a chance to see Beluga Whales in Cook Inlet or spot a Dall sheep along the cliffs. It is a beautiful drive and has many turnoffs so that you can stop and take in the scenery. I, of course, wanted to see the beluga whales. The Cook Inlet belugas are genetically distinct and geographically isolated from other beluga whales. That is not the reason I wanted to see these whales. I just want to see a Beluga and thought this may be my best chance. At milepost 110, you can turn into Beluga Point. From this vantage point, you may watch the bore tide or possibly see belugas as they follow the bore tide. We were there at low tide. No beluga whales. We also stopped at Bird Point. This is another turn off along this stretch of highway. Even though its Bird Point, this is the location with the beluga sculptures and information about the Cook Inlet Beglua Whales. The tide was still out.
There were options of things to do along the way to Seward. You can go to Girdword and ride the tram to the 2300 foot Mount Alyeska. There is a restaurant up there and supposedly beautiful views. You can stop at Portage Glacier and take a short boat trip to see the glacier. The glacier has receded from view from the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center. We stopped here and we could see icebergs that had drifted down to the center. We chose to not see the glacier up close since we were doing the tour of Kenai Fjords the next day. We chose to go to Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. The animals are here due to rehabilitation needs. I got very close to a moose with just a wire fence between us. The grizzly bears were equally as close but it had electricity attached to their fence. While there, the gift shop staff reported that some of the animals were used in the film Into the Wild. (I suggest reading the book before seeing the movie.)
Slowly we made our way to Seward. Which will be a day four post. Below are pictures along the way on day three.
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| From alaska #1 |
This Black-bill Magpie decided to pose for me at the appropriately named Bird Point.
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| From alaska #1 |
A view of Turnagain Arm and surrounding mountains. See it wasn't too sunny this day either.
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| From alaska #1 |
This was the younger Grizzly bear at the wildlife center and yes I was this close. I didn't zoom in for this shot.
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| From alaska #1 |
This is an iceberg in Portage Lake. That isn't Portage Glacier in the view. I believe that is Burns Glacier. For those of you who believe the glaciers aren't receding, you just need to go to Alaska and view the evidence. Every one we went to had pictures of where it had been 40, 30 or even ten years ago. The rate at which they are receding seems to be accelerating. At one time, you could see Portage Glacier from this center. You no longer can and have to take a boat to the face of it.
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| From alaska #1 |
This is an unknown (possibly not named) glacier high on the mountain. We pulled over to a little picnic area just below the Portage Area and this was part of our view. The water was so blue there-as it was everywhere in Alaska.
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