KENAI FJORDS CRUISE 2011 (MAY)

I can't help but hum Gilligan's Island on this one....

Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale,

A tale of a wonderful trip

That started from this arctic port

Aboard this Alaskan ship.

The mates were mighty sailing ones ,
The skipper brave and sure. 

Five passengers set sail that day
For a six hour tour, a six hour tour.

The weather started getting rough,
The cruising ship was tossed,
If not for the courage of the fearless crew
The Explorer would be lost,

But Luckily We Were NOT!

We set sail out of the port of Seward into Ressurection Bay aboard the Alaska Explorer Cruise Ship on a 6 hour cruise.  Our kids have only been on small fishing boats, but never a ship.  We were a bit concerned that they may get sick.  There was a weather advisory due to an arctic storm.  The clouds were low with a light drizzling rain.  AND--not one, but two of the kids did not pack their rain jackets.  We asked them to put them in the car however, they chose to mess around instead.  It wasn't until we were halfway to Seward that we realized they did NOT pack them.  They were so disappointed that we wouldn't "just buy" them new ones.  We found those wonderful PONCHO in a bag( ie. garbage bags) for rain jackets.  Maybe next time they will pack their jackets. 

                  

Tid Bits on Seward: Originally was the hub or ports in Alaska due to the extreme depths in Resurrection Bay keeping it ice free year round.  Earthquake in 1964 destroyed it.  Shore line is now completely dedicated to commercial and tourism.  All residents live more inland. 

A challenge was posed to students in Alaska to help design the state flag.  It was a student from Seward, Benny Benson at the age of 13 in 1927 that designed the flag.  For more information click on his name.  It is an amazing story.

We took our time traveling to Seward the day before the cruise.  I was shocked to realize that eventhough Seward is more southern than Anchorage....they are much colder.  The trees are not even blooming yet.  On the Turnagain Arm we saw people wind surfing during low tide.  Then we passed the Isthmus of Kenai to find others wind skiing.  CRAZY?!?  It was like driving through the seasons.

   


The weather didn't prevent us from stopping to throw a few lines into the half frozen LAKE JEROME.  It was just some casting practice in the bitter cold.  No hungry fish yet.  We stopped to help ID other locations and landmarks like Exit Glacier on our way. 

 

 Swan's Nest Inn  We highly recommend this B&B.  It was fantastic. We loved their rooms.  They have lofts for the kids above.  It was so unique.  If you click on the site it will explain the history behind this historic building and the couple who had a vision for its future.  The kids were in heaven and wanted to stay there FOREVER!  Sleeping in a loft is super cool.  It's a NO PARENTS zone.  We will be returning for another visit in the near future.

THE CRUISE on The Alaskan Explorer.

The first wildlife we spotted was a humpback whale less than a mile outside the harbor. Humpback whales come up to breathe and then do sounding dives.  This helps them locate food.  If you notice the color of the water...green.  It is loaded with food for these animals.  It is a good thing when they can eat 2 tons of food a day!  The sounding dives last between 3-5 minutes.  Imagine with me: A tourist filled ship all with cameras aimed.  Guessing where the whale will surface.  Standing still and quiet all hoping that they are aimed in the right place.  Then they are hoping to push the button fast enough also.  It is pretty funny.  So this is what we hope to capture. 

But this is what I DID capture.

Then we saw some otters.  Did you know that they have more hairs on their bodies per square inch than 10 human heads combined?  They are such playful creatures.  They came right up to the boat and Sis was in love.  She had her heart melt.

Then we saw Dahl Porpoises'.  They are so fast!  They danced around the ship putting on a great show.  They are so speedy.  And yes...no pictures because a choice had to be made...focus all my energy on getting the best picture or just enjoy the moment.  I chose to just enjoy it!

If we couldn't find a kid...look to the map that charted the course as we sailed.  We always found S there checking the ocean depths and making sure that the captain was sailing into good areas. And just silly pictures.

 

 

Then the Captain spotted a pod of Orca Whales.  This was a highlight for sure.  There were at least 8 of them.  I found it very interesting that they would always surface in pairs.  Of course when they came up right next to the ship I had just turned my camera off.  However, it was spectacular to hear their blow holes and watch them swim past.  Magical for sure.

The waters became rough as we excited the bay and entered the wide open ocean.  4-5 foot rollers.  The boys got a bit sea sick at this point.  I could see the glazed looks and quickly gave them some water and laid them down for a nap.  Sis didn't slow down a bit.  She kept on humming like a trooper.  I cannot imagine what it would be like on the Bering Sea like one of our favorite shows: Deadliest Catch.  They have 10x the waves we experienced.  Oiy!  While the boys slept we saw sea lions on No Name Island. 

There is a Sea Life Center in Seward that is researching this particular group of Stellar Sea Lions.  They were near extinction but have slowly been rehabilitating themselves.  Many have been branded and marked for research.  We plan on exploring this facility in a few weeks when we return to Seward to pick up Grammy and Grampy for a visit.

Then we spotted a few loan puffins.  They are not all here yet...still early for the full migration.  But we did see a few.  The water was pretty rough at this point so it was hard to stay balanced and focused on the little bird.  The captain explained that they are much better swimmers than they are flyers.  As we watched we discovered just how bad at flying they are.  They crashed into the waves more than they got into the air.  It was pretty silly.  The captain said they are like a flying potatoe.    

Then we spotted a loan harbor seal laying on some rocks.  How you spot this I do not know.  It is so tiny among the large surroundings.  I was amazed.  We didn't get too close because they are very sensitive animals and do not like humans.

Then it was on into the Holgate Arm to the Holgate Glacier.  The highlight of this cruise.  It had been quite active in the last few hours so we had to tread through some large icebergs and icy waters.  It was like Titanic.  We could hear large bangs and clangs beneath the ship.  We were able to get about a quater mile from the glacier.  Pictures cannot adequately express the magnitude of these glaciers.

 Then lunch and the trek back home.  But we had to spot several Dahl Sheep on the cliffs and a Big Bear!  I believe we saw every type of wildlife we could.  It was wonderful.  The return trip was a bit rough.  The kids had fun being tossed to and fro.  Other passengers did not share their enthusiasm.  The ocean had whitecaps that made many ill.  We had fun standing and rolling with the waves.  Luckily no sickness in our family.  I think this family is a bunch of sailors.  YO HO YO HO!