A Glimpse of Seward, Ak!!

About 8:00 pm the Millennium cruise ship backed out on it's way south.  It was a very slow process, but finally turned and headed off into the clouds.

The tug boat stood by, but I never did see it help the ship at any point.  The tides here move in and out at a high rate of speed and it appears to be pretty shallow.  It probably hangs out in case of high winds.

Morning light yesterday was beautiful as tons of small boats hit the water to go sport fishing.  A few of the big tour boats went out also, all between 6 and 7 am.

We headed to the Library for the wifi, but found it not only closed, but moved!!  The Sea Bean cafe has become the stop of the day for wifi and breakfast.    Later, when the Library opened, we checked out the once free museum ... now $5.00 each.  The building is shrouded in these weird tiles that change color as you drive around, from black to fushia!  It's really very different looking!!  The museum has video interviews and information on the 1964 earthquake tsunami that hit here, as well as lots of local crafts.  

Above town towers Mount Marathon.  Each year they have a trail run for 3.5 miles up and back, usually completed in 45-50 minutes by the front runners.  You can see the light trail straight up from the green to the top.  Once checked in at the top, they run downhill (the more visible trail on the right) to the finish line.  Locals said they lost a man up here last year that was never found.  

A drive around the valley to the far shipyards resulted in a pic of this big guy who had been perched on a telephone pole.  I almost missed him when he flew off.

Boats from the "old" days ... both made of wood, their fishing days are over.  It's a shame, but they will probably dissolve into a heap of rotten wood right where they sit.

Another smaller glacier above the back of the ship yard.  

And THEN Dan took a right hand turn ... just to see where the road ended up.  It was definitely a WRONG turn ... this is the local correctional facility!!!  Jail is NOT where I wanted to go.

Before we read the sign, we saw this huge tower.  Originally we thought it was some type of airport tower ... NOT!  It's the guard tower!  We beat a quick retreat!!

Lunch, according to YELP today, was at Red's Burgers.  The school bus in the back is their indoor seating!  My bacon cheeseburger was good, but the onion rings were even better!!  For $14, it was the cheapest meal we've had in town so far!!  Previously, halibut fish and chips (4 very small pieces) ran $22.00.  Their kitchen is an old bus, as is their storage room and probably their home.

Dan with his usual bacon cheeseburger, eating in the bus!!

This is just because Patty doesn't eat burgers ... mostly!!  AND FRIES!!

They had a visitor from next door .......

Later in the evening, Patty saw this guy floating and eating in the bay close to our rigs.  He floated around for several hours before he got close enough for pictures.  

Right next to us is a small stream coming down the mountain into the bay ... the same one the seagulls were in yesterday.  Tonight, it was swarming with fishermen ... trying to snag salmon.  No one uses bait ... just weights and big hooks.  I've seen on television that the practice of snagging is illegal, but that's what everyone here was doing.  This guy caught a beautiful red salmon!!  Word got out quick and 10-15 guys showed up to try their hand.  The salmon must be gathering for the trip up the rivers, because several different varieties were caught.

Bright and early this morning, the fishermen were back ... and I saw two more dinners caught.

More investigating town today to see what we can see.