Seward Alaska-1

After Anchorage, we headed south around the Turnagain Arm and onto the Kenai Peninsula, down into the small town of Seward. The Kenai peninsula is huge, about 150 miles long, and is bounded by the Cook Inlet to the west and Prince William Sound to the east.

 

 

 

Not a bad view from our campsite! We stayed at the Iditarod campground, one of several city-owned and operated campgrounds in Seward. It seems that the entire waterfront in Seward is filled up with campgrounds, most for RV’s, a couple for tents.

 

 

We loved this monument right next to the campground! Seward is the southernmost terminus of the Alaskan railroad that leads through Denali and up past Fairbanks.

 

 

The original Iditarod trail started in Seward and went north to Nome. The original purpose was not to race, but to deliver mail and much needed medicine.

 

 

We met up with a professional storyteller (no jokes, please…) at the local coffee shop. He was in town as the speaker at a library program so naturally we had to attend. Lots of fun and laughter!

 

 

 

 

The Alaska state flag, showing the big dipper and the north star, was designed by a 13 year old Native American boy with autism. His winning design won him a $1000 scholarship in 1926, but the flag was adopted for official use until 1959 when Alaska became the 49th state in the USA.

 

 

 

Seward is known as the town of murals. Each year, the city commissions a new mural and a group of artists is selected to design and execute a new work of art. This has been going on for decades so many of the downtown buildings display beautiful murals.

 

 

Each year on July 4th, Seward has it’s own version of a marathon. Mt Marathon, that is. Runners start in town, race to the hiking trail that leads up to the summit of the mountain, then race back down the trail into town. The record is 43 minutes, 38 up and 5 down. We were told that the fastest runner simply make large leaps to come down the side of the mountain. Given the 45-60 degree slopes, they must cover a lot of distance downward very quickly!

  

 

 

Hiking the Twin Lakes trail just outside of Seward. When hiking, it’s good to remember the Bear Aware guidelines: make noise, carry bear deterrents, and, if confronted by an angry grizzly bear, “don’t run, Stay Calm!” (right…)

   

 

 

The libraries in Alaska towns are amazing, large, centrally located, well lit with lots of programs. We’re told that’s because of the long, dark winters. We have certainly enjoyed the fast, free internet they provide.

 

 

 

 

It’s snagit season for Salmon in Alaska. No real technique needed. Simply throw a hook out, jerk it a bunch while reeling it in and snag a salmon anywhere. No need to entice the fish to bite, just jerk hard enough to set a hook anywhere.

 

But if not…