Exit Glacier -- Seward, Alaska

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The BEST THING was getting to be so close to the glacier and getting to touch it. Part of why this was the best was you could feel how solid the glacier ice is. It's so hard that when I tried to throw a piece against a rock, it just bounced off!

At the end of the glacier there was a big area full of gravelly stuff (till) that had been left there when the glacier retreated. It had streams running through it from glacial melt. To get to the foot of the glacier, there wasn't a trail for the last quarter mile. We had to walk across the gravel and ford the streams--yes, our feet got wet!

Kenai Fjords Glacier Cruise -- Seward, Alaska

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If you're ever in Seward, Alaska, you should take one of the Glacier Cruises. When you're on the boat, ride for at least a little bit of the time at the front (bow) if you are allowed. I liked riding up front because it felt like you could see around better. You could also feel that the boat was moving--you didn't have to look around to see it. Some of the negatives of being up front are that the wind blows so hard it makes your hair go crazy and that when the boat hits waves you get drenched in spray!

While we were on the boat, we got to see some whales, both orcas and a humpback whale. The humpback whale was coming up, blowing a spurt of water in the air, then taking a breath and going back down. We saw the spray and then the tail as it dove. We saw the fins on the back of the orcas, and we also got to see them jump out of the water a couple of times!

(Plans) Kenai Fjords Tours -- Seward AK

All of us are excited about this tour (scheduled for May 6th). It is the "splurge" of the summer. It's not cheap...but we hope it is well worth the price! (As always, we will let you know!) We will take a 5 hour tour along Resurrection Bay---with the hopes of seeing whales and of seeing glaciers "calve" off icebergs. This tour also includes a stop on shore for a park ranger talk and for an all-u-can-eat salmon & prime rib lunch!

For more information: www.kenaifjords.com (see the description of the "Resurrection Bay Tour")

(Plans) Kenai Fjords National Park -- Seward AK

Time for another National Park visit. (Probably on Friday June 5th.) Another Junior Ranger badge is calling Anna's name! While here, we will learn more about glaciers at the visitor's center. Plus, we hope to walk to Exit Glacier and see its face.

For more information: http://www.nps.gov/kefj/