Posts Tagged ‘whales’

Make your plans to visit Seward right away! There are two things you MUST do when you visit:

a. Go to the Alaska SeaLife Center. It’s right on the water and it’s the largest aquarium in Alaska! Seals. Sea otters. Halibut. Salmon. Sea Anenomes. King Crab. Giant Squid. Octopus. Puffins. You’ll see them all! It will tempt you to go out on Resurrection Bay! DO IT…see below!

b. Take the six-hour Kenai FjordsNational Park Cruise with Renown Tours. We’ve done this cruise several times and it’s fabulous. You’ll sail past h-u-g-e glaciers, with harbor seals relaxing on ice flows right in front of the glaciers. You’ll see eagles soaring overhead. Keep your eyes peeled for moose and sheep on the shore. Watch for sea lions at one of several pull-outs on the route.  Never mind the whales. Watch for orcas and  humpbacks! Throw in a couple of porpoises…you get the idea! This is a great cruise. Don’t miss it, particularly since it’s 20 percent off. Check the website for details.

Umm. I guess there are three things to do and see. Don’t forget to drive up to see Exit Glacier. This is a free attraction–and it’s worth it just to get out and stretch your legs.

We’ll see you in Seward!!

It’s another glorious day in Southeast Alaska. We flew to Juneau from Seattle on Alaska Airlines for a big adventure. Here’s a beautiful shot from across the Gastineau Channel by Dana White:

Whatever you have planned in the area, take a day or two to explore Alaska’s Capital City. There’s lots to do.

First, get high on the Mt. Roberts Tram. Catch the tram right downtown at the cruise ship terminal. It’s a  quick ride up to the roundhouse at 1,800 feet, where there’s a restaurant, gift shop and trail map. You can take a number of hiking loops, anywhere from one to two miles–or head up to the top of Mt. Roberts. The views are incredible. Get Gastineau Guiding to take you on a guided nature hike. 

Visit Mendenhall Glacier–it is a short drive from the airport. Liz Stahl took this photo:

Or, for a knock-your-socks-off adventure, get the chopper to take you up there. Several companies, including Era Helicopters and TEMSCO Helicopters, can take you up to a glacier to you can play on the ice and do some incredible flightseeing!

On the water, you can go fishing, or go whalewatching. Gastineau Guiding also offers up-close whalewatching. The giant sea mammals are all around Juneau. Cam Byrnes captured this image:

Our adventure? We’re headed up the Taku River for a couple of nights in a Forest Service cabin near the Taku Glacier. Pictures and full report to follow. Then, off on the Alaska Marine Highway! Can’t wait!