Anchorage – Seward

Alaska Native Heritage Center

The Alaska Native Heritage Center shares the heritage of Alaska’s 11 major cultural groups. The Center was established in response to the growing need for cultural preservation and education, particularly as Indigenous communities faced historical challenges such as assimilation and urbanization.

While we were there I had an opportunity to watch demonstrations of a few Native Games and Dances. Of course I also found time to explore Native craft and artwork.

Eagle River Valley

Eagle River Nature Center, nestled within Chugach State Park. Once a private lodge in the 1960s, the building now operates as an educational and recreational hub. It’s run by a non-profit organization that focuses on conservation and nature programs.

Tucked away in a quiet meditation spot as a Memorial. Paul Hanis is the sculptor. Eagle Scout, Hyrum Nelson and trail volunteer did the preparation and installation.

Alaska Train Ride

The Coastal Classic Train runs between Anchorage and Seward. The National Geographic Traveler ranked the Coastal Classic Train among their Top Ten Train Rides in North America.

While chatting with one of my fellow travelers, Phyllis Greenwell from Philadelphia, we found out that we both went to the same high school, one grade apart. Small world, isn’t it.

Kenai Fjords National Park

The park contains the Harding Icefield, one of the largest ice fields in the United States, and 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.

We began our last full-day with a walk to the edge of Exit Glacier, so named for serving as the exit for the first recorded crossing of the Harding Icefield in 1968.

Then we were off to the harbor dock in Seward to board our catamaran ‘Skana’ for our glacier and wildlife study cruise.

It turned out to be a beautiful day out on beautiful Resurrection Bay, but the boat was full. When we came across the whales playing I was in the wrong place for photos and only saw glimpses. However one of our group was kind enough to share their photo.