Crossing to Kenai

The vast majority of Kenai Fjords National Park is only accessible by boat or air and so in order to get there, we took a three hour boat trip from Seward to Resurrection Bay. The boat was shockingly small - just large enough for its 15 passengers and two crew members. This would have been just fine, but the area was dealing with the remnants of a major storm and the waves were 7 feet (at 8 feet, the trip would have been cancelled - in fact, we learned that the trip before ours was cancelled and that it wasn't until the last minute that our group leader knew that we would make the trip). The first part of the trip was fine but as we headed into less protected water, it got worse and worse and Emily did not handle it well. Although she didn't get sick, like other passengers, she was white as a ghost and slumped over on me (we had to move outside for the fresh air). Lee - no joke - thought that we were going to die. He was convinced that the boat was going to flip over. The captain did a great job and once we turned the corner into Resurrection Bay, things became so much better. We landed on the beach and then walked about 20 minutes to the Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge. We were the first guests of the season, as earlier groups couldn't make the trip because the sea was too rough. There was a main lodge and then small cabins. This was definitely a highlight of the trip and one of the most beautiful places we've ever been. From the moment we left Seward and until the moment we returned, we had no cell or wifi, no access to the outside world and it was absolutely glorious for all four of us. As much as I loved bushwhacking, if I ever return to Alaska, I would definitely want to spend a week at this lodge.

When she had no idea what was coming...

Resurrection Bay

The weather cleared that first night and, armed with bear spray, we walked from the lodge to the shore.