Exit Glacier

Last night we had a real surprise.  The three couples that stopped to help us back in Tok rolled into the campground.  We had a cheerful reunion.  We sat by a fire until late into the night sharing our experiences in Alaska.  We plan to get together this winter in Florida.  We may even run into each other again along the way here in Alaska.

We packed up and left Seward this morning.  We left reluctantly.  It is a beautiful place.  We were there for five days.  That is a long time for us to sit in one spot.  We put many miles on our bikes while there.  Alaska has the most extensive bike paths we have seen anywhere.

A short drive out of town is the Fjords National Park where the Exit Glacier is located.  You are able to walk right out to the glacier.  While at the glacier we saw a black bear and her cubs grazing on the opposite slope.  They were too far away for a decent photo.

Exit Glacier

The walk up to the glacier was about a mile one way.  There was one long section where we had to climb up a steep grade.  Those are always challenging for Darlie with her bad feet.  She handled it like a trooper.
We got overheated on the way up and stripped off our jackets.  However, when we got to the glacier, the air was very cold.  We soon were all bundled up again.

I'm 67 today.

After returning to the RV, we made lunch and rested for a bit.  Our plan was to travel over to the Kenai River area today.  We have been hoping to see the red salmon run.  As we entered Cooper River, Darlie spotted a guy who makes things with a chain saw.  She has wanted a carved moose to put by our front door.  That won't go very well in Florida but it will remind us of a wonderful trip everytime we come home.  The man who does the carving has never made a small moose before.  He had a big one there but it would be half as high as our house.  He said he would make a door entry sized one for us.  We told him we will be back by in about two weeks.  He said that would give him time to design it, carve it and put a preservative on it.

A short way down the road, we came to a NFS campground.  It was located right on the bank of the Kenai River.  The Kenai is turqouise color and crystal clear.  It is very cold and swift flowing.  We stood on the bank for awhile looking down into the water.  We saw several very large red salmon swimming by.  They are very brilliant red.  I have never see a fish like that before.  The run is just starting so it will be a couple of weeks before they are in here thick.  We should see the height of the run on our way back through.  I may try my hand at catching one then.

Kenai River