Sailing Tarka: Alaska: part 3

When you think of the idyllic trip to Alaska what comes to mind? Without question there is an endless amount of opportunity for recreation, but certainly on the top of our list were: Sea kayaking among the Kenai Fjords, and Hang out with world caliber dog mushers. Check and check.

Victoria! What a treat, a little slice of Duluth in Seward Alaska. Let me just fill you in on a little secret: Seward is a gem. Victoria shared with us some of her favorite spots and we were hooked. A hike to a rocky beach on Resurrection Bay where whales and seals played in front of a mountain backdrop, fresh fish for dinner, and a day of sea kayaking. Victoria told us of a day hike that we should do on our way out of town that would afford us a bird eye's view of the town, bay, and surrounding crown snow capped peaks. "It starts steep but levels off, it's really not that bad." Wow, you guys must be in great shape. That hike felt about vertical the whole way up as we navigated mud and snow patches. But the view from the top did not disappoint. How lucky we were. It was so great to have caught up a bit and we hope to see you down the road.

From Seward we split for Willow with a pit stop at Exit Glacier. What's in Willow you might ask? Ummm HELLO! Only our amazing talented dog mushing friend Joar! The Norwegian super star headed for the Iditarod. (It starts the first Saturday in March each year, follow it!) Joar, having shipped his dogs to Alaska from Norway, had run the Yukon Quest last year finishing in an impressive 6th place. His dedication is unmatched and it leaves us wondering what he could possibly set his sights on in the future if he checks off the Iditarod by the time he turns 25? Where do you go from there? We met his dogs and played with the new puppies. We were cooked an amazing home-cooked Danish meal upon our arrival and the next day treated to a Solstice Party Supper at famous dog musher, Egil Ellis's house. Now we're just getting spoiled. Apparently our friends all want us to stay in Alaska and it just might work.

We headed back to Eagle River to wait for Judy to get back from here travels in the lower 48. Her and Ken were going to show us their cabin in Halibut Cove. We couldn't wait...