Seward, AK

Sunday, July 4, 2010
Seward, AK


Dinner here last. This was about 10:30 PM local time.






This morning we drove down to Seward, AK which is on Resurrection Bay just off the Gulf of Alaska south of Anchorage.

We drove along a fjord with steep and high mountains on either side.

Then more huge mountains with their peaks in the clouds.

We got to Seward which is normally a "cute" little town, but today was the biggest festival day of the year. No wonder we couldn't find a room down here last night.

Kernal remembers to take pictures of me, but I usually forget to return the favor. She IS here though. 








This is a deep water port and a tourist stop. 











Today the town was crammed.



The big event was the Mountain Marathon. It all started about 1915 with a bet between 2 guys in a bar that it wasn't possible to run to the top of the peak and back down in an hour. The first winner took and hour and 2 minutes.  It's been an annual event on the 4th ever since. A mile and a half each way, but over a 3,000 ft climb. 

Here's the men's winner at 44:40. The fastest time was junior boys class at 27:29 minutes. 












This guy pushed pretty hard. 

It was about 50 degrees with a good breeze. The coldest 4th of July I've ever seen, but these guys were hot.


A picnic of smoked salmon, bagels, cream cheese, and coffee with a glacier view. Then back to our room. 

Tomorrow morning we start the trek back home.