I may have the opportunity to go to Seward Alaska in May for a long weekend to see the area. It's a 3 hour drive from Anchorage. Anyone know the area, or from the area?

(Message edited by cyndelee on December 11, 2006)

Cynde...YGM
Karen

Cyn Kathi and I were in Seward last summer. It was a very cool little town. It is mostly a big fishing area for halibut, so about 80% of the tourists are guys in groups going fishing. If you are driving from Anchorage, you have to actually drive through a railroad tunnel to get there. They only allow cars to go one way at certain times. Check when it is the Seward way and get there about 20 minutes before the scheduled time. It's the only way in besides boat or float plane. There are some really cool seafood restaurants down by the docks. This is also where Aquawoman (Kathi) got drysuit certified. Actually, the whole Kenai peninsula is spectacular. There is a really cool town called Girdwood on the way down where Alysska (sp) ski resort is located. The resort is really beautiful. If you get a chance to stop there, you'll like it. Here is a link with some pictures.

http://www.pbase.com/kitkool/girdwood_alaska

Anyway, if you want anymore info, send me an email, and I'll be happy to help you. We really loved it. I just don't know what it will be like in December or January. It was gorgeous in July.

Cy, sorry. I was thinking of Seward, but it is Wittier that you have to go through the tunnel. We were there too.

I was in Seward in 2000 - it is beautiful... but it is where I got the most seasick I have ever been. I'll look for some of my pics and email you. The seasick was on a whalewatching/glacier boat trek... 90 foot boat, 15 foot seas. Need I say more? The up side? We had humpbacks breaching close enough to the boat to get us wet No pics of that, I was busy giving my lunch back

How wonderful Karen, Jim, and Becky! Michael's CG unit has special "training" there in May, so I want to go for a long weekend and see the area, and hopefully see him (they say he will have a little free time). The town is opening it's arms to them with all kinds of special things for them to use while they are there. I noticed on their website that May 19 is "militrary appreciation day" with BBQ, so I don't know if that's for them or not. It looks like I'll fly in on Friday afternoon, have to overnight in Anchorage, then drive to Seward Saturday morning. Jim, by your post that seems like the best. I don't want to be driving some Alasksa road at night...lol! I have always wanted to see Alaska so I figured I'd take the opportunity and go for it

Jim, those pics are great! Uh...moose is awesome, and the bear...you got that close?

Becky, I'd love to see the pics. Those seas sound like they are right up my alley...E ticket at Disney land...lol! The website says it's Humpback season around then, so I hope I can get a chance to catch a boat to see them.

(Message edited by cyndelee on December 12, 2006)

Cyn, those pictures are so not mine. First, I am a terrible photographer. Secondly, I would never get that close to a Brownie, even with a telescopic lens. It's not good for birthdays. I found them on the Girdwood search. A lot of those shots were taken on the highway going from Anchorage to Seward. It is just an incredible drive. If you do get a chance, take a tour out to the Kenai Fijords. They are incredible.

Jim, the moose shot wasn't yours either? Awesome shots regardless! I thought maybe you had a "bear and moose" call similar to your "donkey call" lol! Kenai Fijords, on my list now to check out if I can. Hmm...I think I'm going to go for the Kayak Day Trip! How cool (literally) will that be!

Out of Seward, Kathi hooked up with Dive Alaska. They sent her all the materials by mail, videos, etc. for her dry suit cert. She did all the paperwork then did all the water things up there. We did 3 days with this company and stayed out on an island in a Mongolian Yurt in the middle of Resurrection Bay. The company brought all the food. They did a spectacular dinner with chicken, steak, and salmon. They had plenty of beer. We just brought out a couple bottles of wine. I was allowed to go out on the boat while Kathi did her classwork. Being out on that island overnight, in the middle of vast beauty, was probably one of the highlights of my travel life. I did dry suit snorkle, as the price of all the classwork and cert was a bit steep for something I would probably only do once. The older I get, the more cold bothers me. Here is the site for the dive operation. They were really cool people too.

http://www.divealaska.net/index.html

Jim, thanks! We got dry suit certified this last year (and bought dry suits as well)...vis here in the winter is just too good but the water is TOO cold! I was telling Michael about this last night, and told him that I'd love to take my suit up there and dive one day if I found a good op (he will be "working")...funny, he said "good for you because I have NO desire to dive in water THAT cold"...lol! I'm going to check them out and email them. If I could arrange for a dive up there...man...that would be awesome!

Tell Kathy congratulations!

Cyn, since you are already dry suit certed, I think you should go for it. All the people we went out with that day were just incredibly friendly. Kathi dove two different locations. The water was really clear, and very still in Resurrection Bay. They take you into these really beautiful coves, and just the scenery topside is worth the trip. She told me everything was huge and colors she had never seen before underwater. On my snorkle, I did see very vibrant yellows, purples, and all kinds of other incredible colors. It felt like the 60's again.

Well Jim, I've emailed the dive shop but haven't heard back. I'm taking my dry suit with me, and Michael even told me today to take his, and if he can "get away" (has no idea what drills they will be doing, or what free time they will have) he will go too! diving Alaska, that's one more thing I can cross off my list! How exciting!

Have you heard from them yet Cynde?

Jim, no