The Last Frontier - Alaskan Scenic Highway
Sunday- We arrived into Anchorage from a long Saturday flight from BHM to ATL to SEA to ANC with Delta Airlines. We arrived around 9:30 pm & stayed in a local Best Western Suites in Downtown Anchorage. We arrived just before sunset which with 15 hours of daylight there it was about 9:40pm. The weather in Anchorage during this time of year is about 64 degrees & high 50s at night.
Rental Car at the Airport: I highly suggest you take out this on your to do list long before close to time of arrival. In AK you have only few options of Rental Car Companies that will allow for multi-city travel/different airport return. I also suggest reserving for two companies without fees to make sure you have one. I personally, love Hertz it is much cheaper at cost & they allow for you to pay with a debit card where others require credit card & have this tank full of gas as their are few gas stations after Anchorage.
Before Heading to Seward we stopped at the grocery store in Anchorage & ate brunch at Middle Of the Way Cafe. If you are looking for a great trendy brunch spot with not a lot of traffic to wait I highly recommend this place. I had the Shepherd Omelet with a side of steamed lemon kale & reindeer sausage.
Road Trip to Seward- The Alaska Scenic Highway
The drive from Anchorage to Seward is absolutely beautiful. There are many stops along the way to stop at but typically the drive is a vacation in itself.
In fact, if all the billboards along Alaska's Seward Highway were laid end to end, they'd reach—nowhere. There are no billboards here, no tollbooths, few towns, and fewer gas stations. But if you're looking for whales and waterfalls, blue glaciers and sharp-toothed mountains, calm trout ponds and stormy ocean fjords, there's enough visual overload here to fill a hard drive with digital pictures.
Returning to Seward was a definite on this years return & we decided to hang out in this charming town for two nights. The breathtaking land shaped by glaciers, nestled between mountains and the ocean. Population, 2800 (give or take few).And as some would call it, where Alaska starts.
We stopped into Kenai National Park and did a short 3 mile hike into the Glacier to get some great views & walk partial trails to explore the land. Other stops I suggest that we had on our list were: The Alaska Wildlife Rescue Center- Note cost is $17 per person but if you love animals its totally worth the cost. Turnagain Arm - eagles, Chugach State Park You can also exit or venture to Whittier, AK on this route to Seward & check out Prince William Sound, Anton Anderson Memorial, & a secret tunnell from WWII at Mile Marker 123.
Sunday- For dinner- we ate at Thorns Lounge- from local suggestion. It was Built in the 1960s & has not been updated since. We sat in the most Russian red chairs & chowed down. We both had the Butt combo- which was 7 pieces of halibut, an 8 oz steak served with seafood chowder and a choice of side. It was the most amazing food I have ever ate. Hands down- the steak was to perfection & that butt was something serious. Ya'll, I almost died I was so full & if I did I was going to tell the Lord how great that meal was.
Monday- we spent the day kayaking to three Alpine Glaciers & Orca Island with Millers Landing. Our guide Nate was super smart and taught us so much about the Sea life & Gulf of Alaska ecosystem The water in the bay was like glass allowing us to see down to the bottom where we saw beautiful sea urchins, moon jellies, sea nettles, crabs & star fish. We also got stalked by a sea lion in. Midway through we stopped at a waterfall in the bay of Seward. As we were floating Up to the beach, looking at the eagles. From behind me I hear, “bear!Look she’s got babies!” There was momma bear & her two cubs. We slowed our pace as she grabbed a salmon from the water and took it up a tree to her babies.. we let her clear & got out to hike around to see the waterfall and salmon spawning.
On our paddle back to the Three Alpine Glaciers we got to see an old WW2 bunker, The Iron Door. We paddled with some Dall’s sea porpoises which were amazing. The guide said we brought good luck to have had so much wild life that he hadn’t seen In Resurrection Bay. As we finished out 6 mile paddle we landed in the beauty of the Three Alpine Glaciers- there names are Prospect, Spoon & Porcupine. We waited just a few minutes and the boat “Salty” came to pick us up.
🍽 We were STARVING- we ate dinner at Salmon Bake suggested by Nate. For starters- coconut crusted prawns. I had the Flat fish sandwich & seafood chowder paired with a local North-wind Cider . Shane had the Alaskan Snapper with a local Double Shovel Cider. Mine was definitely better.
📍Lodging: Sunday - We Stayed on the beach of Seward, AK in AIRBNB Alaska Base Camp Yurt. This Modern Yurt located right on the beachfront overlooking Resurrection bay and the mountains. All the conveniences of home while experiencing Seward and Alaska outdoors.
Click here for our AirBNB Modern Yurt
📍Lodging Monday: Abode Well Cabins in Seward. We enjoyed the peace and tranquility of a secluded rain forest setting with all the comforts of home. The highlight of this Airbnb as well expected based on reviews was the comfort of the bed. Which was perfect after a full day of adventure.
Tuesday- Sea’ya later Seward! But, first I had to pit stop our to go lunch to see my favorite Alaskan Pup Tallulah at Zudys Cafe & grab that Fat mermaid sandwich I’ve craved since last year. I told Zudy - “I’m from Alabama & all I’ve wanted since November is this sandwich & to see your dog.” She let Tallulah come out to cuddle in the rain while I waited.
Weather: 59 day/ 48 night with Sunset at 9:31pm
Drive Time from Anchorage to Seward, AK- 127 miles/ 2 hours & 24 minutes
Cost | Budget for these days in AK with out without flight & rental $1180.00
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