We remained in Seward for day two of our Alaska household trip however took a day journey to Cooper Touchdown to fish on the Kenai River. On our method bay, we headed out on a brief hike to Exit Glacier after which spent some extra time having fun with views of Resurrection Bay as we explored Seward once more within the night. A full recap could also be discovered beneath!
Alaska Household Trip: Day Two
Morning: Salmon Fishing on the Kenai River (Cooper Touchdown, Alaska)
Speak about a fully attractive technique to start our second day in Alaska!
One of many high “should dos” on Ryan and Chase’s Alaska want listing was salmon fishing on the Kenai River. The Kenai River is a shocking teal-blue colour as a consequence of glacial silt, tiny particles created when glaciers grind towards bedrock, and is in contrast to any river I’ve seen in my life. Elements of the river are crystal-clear and a rolling present helped push our boat down river the place the salmon battle to go upstream to spawn. I’ll always remember trying over the sting of our boat solely to see hoards of salmon flying by!
(Can you notice the bald eagle?)
Early Monday morning, we drove a bit of over and hour from Seward to Cooper Touchdown, Alaska, to fulfill up with our information, Jason. I do know the seemingly limitless daylight is usually a headache in the summertime months in Alaska however we appreciated it excess of we anticipated throughout our journey. (Sundown was round midnight whereas dawn was round 5 a.m.) The solar was at all times shining earlier than we had been awake, even on our early morning fishing days, and it was good to have stretches of longer daylight once we had been out later within the evenings — particularly on our lengthy journey day. Eye masks and noise machines labored properly for us for sleep!
Quickly after we parked, Jason arrived and greeted us with waders and water-proof boots in hand. We slipped into our fishing gear and, after loading up our small boat, had been prepared for our salmon fishing journey to start. Jason advised us no motors are allowed within the part of the Kenai River the place we had been and he rowed us about 3o minutes down river via some mild rapids to our first fishing spot. The rapids had been an sudden spotlight of this expertise for all of us!
We noticed bald eagles and a few owl hawks as we made our method down the Kenai River. It was quiet and serene and felt like we had been actually immersed in Alaskan wilderness.
As soon as it was time to fish, Jason dropped anchor and Ryan, Chase and Ryder obtained within the water to fish. (I stayed within the boat with Rhett.) We may see salmon zooming by us which was unreal and had Chase itching to reel in his first catch!
Chase’s love of fishing is powerful and he doesn’t have an off-switch when he’s on the water with a rod and reel in his arms. Fishing is actually his completely satisfied place and he’s very centered when he’s out on the water. I say this solely as a result of the fishing we did on the Kenai River just isn’t one thing I might essentially advocate to children who like to fish until they will deal with a fly rod (very completely different and never simple) and are ready to face out in chilly, speeding water in waders. Our information stated he prefers children to be 12+ years outdated to strive the form of salmon fishing we did (flossing) however took an opportunity on Chase and stated his skills had been higher than 90% of the adults he takes out. (Once more, I really don’t say this for any purpose apart from to share that this sort of fishing could be very concerned and would hate for anybody to ebook this sort of expertise with younger children and discover themselves overwhelmed or upset.)
Ryder had enjoyable being our information’s “assistant” however pretty rapidly opted to hang around with me and Rhett within the boat the place the hand heaters and snacks I packed offered ample leisure. Recognizing bald eagles and salmon from the boat additionally completely entertained the youthful members of our crew.
Our second cease on the Kenai proved to be extra profitable when it got here to catching fish, and Chase and Ryan caught sockeye salmon and even a rainbow trout! The flossing methodology of fishing was new to each of them (you don’t use bait however reasonably attempt to hook the fish as they swim previous) and watching their approach and success fee enhance was a whole lot of enjoyable.
We ate lunch on the boat, fished a bit of extra and, after wrapping issues up within the early afternoon, started the drive again to Seward.
Afternoon: Exit Glacier Hike
The route again to Seward from Cooper Touchdown took us proper previous the doorway for a hike out to Exit Glacier so we parked our automobile and joined a whole lot of vacationers on this journey.
The Exit Glacier Customer’s Middle was a useful cease earlier than we set out because it allowed us to determine the paths that may work greatest for our household.
(Crocs aren’t our first selection for climbing sneakers — haha! The hike wasn’t too lengthy and we didn’t initially plan to do that hike on our second day till we realized it was instantly on our route again to our home.)
The Exit Glacier hike started on a tough be aware with a complaining 4-year-old however I began speaking concerning the nature plotlines in a ebook I just lately learn (Wild Darkish Shore) and I’m not mendacity after I say Chase, Ryder and Rhett had been completely captivated. (For anybody who has learn the ebook, they beloved the tales concerning the whales, seals and seeds and I believe I re-told each single one. The breeching humpback one had them riveted.) The distraction labored like a allure and everybody was psyched once we made it to the lookout level to see the glacier!
After making it again right down to the parking zone, we loaded again within the automobile and made the remainder of the drive again to the home to cook dinner up some extra of the fish we caught for an excellent early dinner earlier than heading out to discover.
Night: Waterfront Park + Discover
One of many big perks of the home we rented in Seward was its location and walkability to gorgeous views of Resurrection Bay, eating places and retailers and the harbor in addition to a waterfront playground our boys completely loved.
After spending a number of hours on a ship at first of the day, we figured the youngsters may use a bit of free play time and walked to Waterfront Park. The boys ran round for an hour or so whereas Ryan and I chatted and regarded out over Resurrection Bay, watching a sea otter who periodically surfaced and flipped onto its again to snack earlier than diving again beneath water. (Lovable and, once more, sooo a lot bigger than I anticipated!)
We then explored the seaside of Resurrection Bay (the sleek rocks had been made for skipping!) earlier than strolling a bit of greater than a mile towards the harbor.
Seward’s harbor is kind of massive and residential to a ton of fishing boats and tour boats. (We additionally noticed a big cruise ship docked within the harbor most days throughout our go to.) The harbor was bustling however by no means felt too crowded and we beloved watching fishermen filet every thing from salmon and cod to huge halibut whereas a harbor seal popped up beneath within the water hoping for scraps.
We loved looking across the harbor entrance retailers (Coho Joe’s was nice for espresso and sizzling chocolate — a really helpful spot by our boat captain from Monday — and I purchased some native spices to season our fish again on the home) and naturally our household needed to cease for ice cream.
Ultimately we adopted the identical waterfront path again to our home and crashed into mattress after a really full however very enjoyable second day in Alaska.
Day three recap coming your method quickly!
