Alaska 8/10/11

It’s summer in Alaska and tourists are hoping for sunny skies and the opportunity to view the wildlife and amazing scenery.

We had a wonderful journey on the Alaska Railroad from Anchorage to Seward in the Goldstar Dome Car, a very comfortable way to spend 4.5 hours viewing some wonderful scenery. We checked into the Hotel Seward, a lovely little hotel in Seward owned by Mark & Mary Kulstad and their mascot dog, Cody. Very comfortable rooms, some with outstanding ocean views. Hungry? Stop by the Ranting Raven for fresh baked goods & coffee. Gift shopping for family? Find The Alaska Shop for one-of-a-kind items or the usual souvenirs. Want to try salmon fishing? Contact Wes Oetinger at Hotel Seward for expert guidance. For the less adventurous, Major Marine Tours offers a 4-hour harbor cruise that was exceptional. We saw eagles, puffins, porpoises, mountain goats and one humpback whale. A U.S. Park Ranger onboard offered detailed information about the area, wildlife and history of the area. Captain Terry provided up close opportunities to see the wildlife. A small, but delicious, buffet dinner on board included prime rib and grilled salmon. When we got back to the dock at 10:30 PM, the sun was just setting