AUGUST 20, 2012------SEWARD, AK

This morning we woke to rain once again.  We have had rain on and off since we got to Homer.  Today we went on a 5 1/2 hr Glacier & Wildlife Cruise on the Kenai Fjord.  A Fjord is a long, narrow inlet with steep sides or cliffs.  It is created in a valley carved by glacial activity.  The Fjord was 900 feet deep.  Once onboard, we had a wonderful meal of all you can eat Salmon and Prime Rib.  The weather wasn't the best and many people got sick, including me (Rita).  We were out on the water a lot longer than I would have liked.  We got to see several eagles, sea otters, mountain goats, puffins and large seals.  As the cruise ended, the sun peeked out.  

AUGUST 21, 2012

Today was a free day.  Started off the day in the rain, yet again.  Got our laundry done, had lunch and decided to go for a ride to see Exit Glacier.  The road at one point going into the National Park was covered with water flowing from the glacial water.  We really have had quite a bit of rain the last few days.  

GLACIAL WATER CROSSING OVER THE ROAD (KENAI FJORDS NATIONAL PARK)

We joined up with a park volunteer to do a 1 hour hike to Exist Glacier.  He has worked as a volunteer for over 6 years and was very knowledgeable about the geological aspects of the area surrounding the glacier.  He told us how we could tell where the newest part of the forest differed from the older part of the forest.  He was very interesting, stopping occasionally showing us things that would go unnoticed if you were out walking on your own.  He brought us right up to the base of the glacier and we were on our own for the walk back.  

EXIT GLACIER IN KENAI FJORDS NATIONAL PARK

AUGUST 22, 2012

Today is another travel day with our destination being Palmer, Ak.  We have 168 miles to cover.  

It was another uneventful day.  Not much to see on our way.  Stopped a few times to take pictures of the mountains and for lunch.  

AUGUST 23, 2012

Today we did ride sharing to the Colony House Museum in Palmer.  We were told about the Manatuska Colony Project.   In 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt offered 203 families from the hardest-hit areas of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan the chance to start fresh in a new land, in a fertile Alaskan valley with the melodic name Matanuska.  The Matanuska Colony was part of Roosevelt's New Deal, his plan to help Americans recover from the Depression, partly through massive public works projects.  Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan were chosen to be part of the project because it was felt they most closely resembled the climate in Alaska, and because they had an extremely high percentage of residents on social assistance programs. The chosen ones were given a lot of land, equipment and money to make a new farming community.  

The guidelines they were given were fairly loose: 

As far as possible, families should be selected first on their farming ability and secondly, those who may have secondary skills and who may adjust themselves to a diversified farming activity and can assist with carpentry on their homes and then those who may know something about machinery and blacksmithing and who have leadership qualities.  

Another great museum.

We then went across the street for a great lunch.  We were served hot soup, and a turkey croissant sandwich and salad.  It was followed with a large scoop of Alaskan ice cream.  

We then went over to see the Musk Ox Farm.  It was o.k. and not something we would have chosen to do if we weren't with the Caravan.  

Another great day though.

AUGUST 24, 2012------VALDEZ, AK

Travelling to Valdez today.  It is a long day for travel, 260 miles.  Hit lots of construction and not very good roads.  Took us until 5PM to get there.  We had a quick social with our comrades and had dinner and an early evening.

AUGUST 25, 2012

Today we have a 9 hour cruise to the Prince William Sound Meares Glacier.  It rained all night and it was very foggy this morning.  We boarded the catamaran for our long day and couldn't even see through the fog to get out of the Valdez Harbor.  Within an hour the skies had cleared and the water was very smooth.  We had a wonderful day with many wildlife being spotted.  We saw Dall Porpoise, Harbor Seals, Sea Otters, Eagles, Puffins and many many different birds.  We also got to see a few bears, but too far away to get a picture.  Here are a few pictures of the magnificent scenery on our boat cruise.  

STELLAR SEA LIONS ON BUOY

SEA OTTER FLOATING ALONG ON HIS BACK (SO CUTE)

LARGE ICEBERG ON OUR WAY TO THE MEARES GLACIER

LARGE ICEBERG ON OUR WAY TO THE MEARES GLACIER

Brrrr,,,,,,COLD

MEARES GLACIER

We were served a great lunch of Chicken Alfredo and veggies,,,with dessert being Oreo cookies...later in the afternoon we had a snack of Clam Chowder or Vegetable Soup.  It was a very long day but the boat was great and the seats were very comfortable.  The scenery was outstanding.  Would definitely recommend this cruise to anyone venturing out this way.