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SEWARD

Seward is 127 miles south from Anchorage. It is the origin of the flag of Alaska. It was designed by Benny Benson who was the winner of the flag design contest in 1926. The blue field is for the sky of Alaska, the North Star for Alaska being the most northerly state and the Big Dipper for the Great Bear, symbolizing strength.

Seward is a place for many activities including fishing, kayaking, hiking and sailing. It is surrounded by mountains containing many beautiful glaciers. You can drive to the Exit Glacier, only about 10 miles from town. Downtown is a fun place to stroll about and the Alaska Sealife Center is a must see.


Marathon Mountain Downtown Seward

FORTH OF JULY!!!


Besides all the regular Forth of July celebrations such as fire works and parties, Seward has a rather unique race. The race starts on the main street of downtown and proceeds up 3,022 foot high Marathon Mountain and then back to the downtown location. It is hard to believe but the record is a little over 43 minutes. Last year it was won by a time of a little over 45 minutes.


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MUSHING ON A GLACIER


The neatest thing that we have done so far this summer is to take a helicopter up to a glacier and take a dog sled ride. The folks at the Godwin Glacier Dog Sled Tours did a great job. The helicopter ride up to the glacier was really good but was nothing compared to the ride back, as you can see from the pictures.

The dog sled ride was way too short. We could have done it all day - it was so much fun. The dog team was hooked up to two sleds. The front one was where the musher controlled to dogs. The rear one was for us. One of us would ride the rails and try to control the sled while the other rode as the passenger. The only thing you had to do, besides staying on the rails, was to use the brake to keep from running into the sled in front when you went down a hill. Of course, to use the brakes you have to step on a bar located between the rails, and that can interfere with you staying on. Not one of us fell off and the trip was a great success.

The weather was beautiful and the trip is a MUST DO for anyone that hasn't done dog sledding before. You might note we were a little overdressed! However we are from Arizona and our blood is a little thin. The people at this camp spend six days here and then one off back in town. The air temperature on this day was about 55 degrees but beautifully sunny. The mushers were all in short sleeves and the dogs were digging down into the snow to get cooled off. They do like it much better about 30 degrees but we were content.


Up the glacier Up the glacier

Helicopter ride to the Godwin Glacier


Sled dog central Ready to go

Left: Sled dog central on the Godwin Glacier
Right: Our dog team and sled ready to go


Maureen readying the dogs Mushing on the glacier

Left: Maureen, our "Musher", getting the dogs ready
Right: Mushing on the glacier


Picture stop Ted riding the rails

Left: A stop to take pictures
Right: Ted riding the rails


Anne and Maureen heading back to camp Anne ready to go

Anne on the rails for the trip back to camp


Maureen give high sign Showing off some future sled dogs

Left: Maureen gives high sign to Anne
Right: Showing off some future sled dogs


Mountain valley Another large glacier

THE TRIP BACK


We took the long route back to the airport, flying down valley and skimming the tops of glaciers. We would then go up and over a high pass looking for mountain goat and bears. A wonderful way to end our adventure.


Approaching for a look at the surface Crevasse field

A close up look at the surface of a large glacier


Crevasse field A blue water stream on the glacier

Crevasse fields on the top of the glacier


Glacier water meets salt water Approaching Seward and the airport

Left: Salt water causes the "glacier flour" to settle out
Right: Approaching Seward and the airport


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