Anchorage to Seward, Alaska - August 22

Today started on a leisurely note.  We slept in and had breakfast in our room.  Next we walked to the credit union and asked them if they knew the person whose money and driver’s license we found last night.  It turned out they did – he was a customer and was looking for his money so we were happy to have found the rightful owner.  Then we relaxed in our room until it was time to check out.

My new friend, Manny, from the Seward Bus Company came to our hotel and gave us a ride to the bus company’s office.  I didn’t realize how small a company they are – I think one bus and the office is in a small strip mall.  But Manny, who is from Puerto Rico, was especially helpful.  We left our luggage in his care and at his suggestion walked a block to the Moose’s Tooth for lunch.  Actually it’s the Moose’s Tooth Pub & Pizzeria and one of our favorites.  They brew several beers and I chose their East Bound and Brown (First Tap) ale which was just brewed for August.  Rita and I split a tasty pizza then shared a moose pie for dessert – mocha ice cream with a chocolate cookie crust, fudge, roasted almonds and whipped cream.   Dessert would have been enough by itself.

Our bus left on time at 2:30 pm with a grizzly bearded bus driver and we arrived in Seward as predicted at 5:30 pm.  The scenery on the way was beautiful and today was clear with crisp blue skies.  Seward is a pretty town set in a most scenic setting.  We checked into our hotel just adjacent to the small boat docks and set out on foot to explore the area.  We saw several fishing charter boats arrive with their catch of the day.  We stopped to have dinner at Chinooks whose motto is “Work like a Captain – Play like a Pirate”.  Good advice.  Rita had fresh halibut fish and chips while I had fettuccine with fresh Alaskan spotted shrimp.  We had a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc wine with the meal and rolled out after our delicious feast.

This area of Alaska reminds us of several places we have visited – Norway, Tasmania, and New Zealand (Milford Sound) come to mind. Tomorrow we cruise for six hours exploring the fjords and glaciers of this area and hope to see whales.  Wish us good luck.