Kodiak

Kodiak

Weather

The weather? Well, normally we are told the weather is nothing to brag about. Prince William Sound's weather is maritime which means "it rains a lot," creating North America's northern most rain forest. Our weather has been nothing short of amazing! While we have had rain, most of our days have been slight overcast with sun breaks. Temperatures ranging from the 40's to the 70's.

The Kenai Peninsula has been hot and sunny even while being surrounded by glaciers.

Leaving Port Chatham the skies were blue the sun was out and we were given a full view of the Alaskan Peninsula, spectacular!! Clear skies, volcanoes rising, the Barren Islands standing tall and jagged, 28 whale sightings and the smell of Shuyak Island not to mention the beam reach!! What a day.

So little time, so many choices?.

Since leaving Seward we have been on sensory overload. It was difficult to believe any land forms could be more dramatic and breathtaking than Prince William Sound, but as we soon discovered the Kenai Peninsula sure ups the anti.

Armed with cruising guides and local knowledge we have had to make some very hard decisions, so many anchorages, so little time. However so far we have been rewarded heavily: winds to sail, breaching humpbacks, Dall's Porpoise, otters, both sea and river, Mt. Goats, Puffins, Harbor Seals floating by on ice bergs, glaciers, glaciers, and more glaciers.

Our first stop out of Seward found us surrounded by tidal glaciers, eight in fact, stemming from mile-high Harding icefield. The water was a turquoise blue sprinkled with electric blue ice chunks. The background noise of the glaciers was never ending, reminding you of heavy traffic on I-5, the roar of the crashing ice, snow and running water, then a sudden and jarring loud rumble and boom as if there were a pile up on a highway.

Each anchorage that we have enjoyed has offered different views and perspectives of land and wildlife.

Today from the stern of CSJ I pulled in an eight pound true Cod. Yahoo!!!

Fresh dinner again.

Exploring Next…

At the tip of the Kenai Peninsula lies a land where the ice age still lingers. In Kenai Fjords, glaciers, earthquakes, and ocean storms are the architects. Ice worms, bears and whales make their home in this land of constant change.

Kenai Fjords National Park was established in 1980. The park covers an area of approximately 1,760 sq mi (4,600 km2) on the Kenai Peninsula in southcentral Alaska, near the town of Seward. The park contains the Harding Icefield, one of the largest ice fields in the United States. The park is named for the numerous fjords carved by glaciers moving down the mountains from the ice field. The field is the source of at least 38 glaciers, the largest of which is Bear Glacier.

Did You Know?
The Harding Icefield accumulates 400-800 inches of snow each year. It takes between 30-50 years for that snow to compress into glacial ice.

Fun day as a tourist

A Few Views

Resurrection Bay

Gulf of Alaska

Dead humpback calf, the Sea Life Center in Seward took our photos for research.

Barnes Cove, Prince William Sound

Olsen Bay, Prince William Sound

Cordova

Seward

Situated at the head of Resurrection Bay on the Kenai Peninsula, Seward is one of Alaska's oldest and most scenic communities. Known as the 'Gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park' Seward is a picturesque town located 126 miles south of Anchorage.
The bustling harbor and historic downtown district is filled with quaint shops and art galleries.

At 3,022 feet, towering Mt. Marathon provides a breathtaking backdrop for the town and becomes a focal point for the Fourth of July race up its slope which just happens to be the oldest mountain race in North America.. We will have a perfect view from the cockpit of Cape St. James. Behind Mt. Marathon and extending down the coast lies the Harding Icefield, measuring 35 by 20 miles.

Flowing from the Harding Icefield are many glaciers, eight of which are tidewater glaciers, calving icebergs into the sea, reaching the coastline between Seward and Homer.

The marina is well maintained and the folks here are friendly and welcoming. We have been given the keys to the local yacht club (unlimited HOT showers) offered cars to borrow as needed, given valuable information about the area from a couple who has cruised here for over 30 years.

The beauty so far-- even better than what we have seen and we are having a hard time believing it ourselves. Everyone just keeps saying" Wait till you see the Kenai Fiords!"

Seward marina

Seward marina

Hope this shows up well.

Hope this shows up well.