alaska, part II

In addition to fishing the Kenai River in Soldotna, we also visited Seward, Homer and Girdwood all located in the Kenai Peninsula. They had a very different vibe than the north as they are all located on the water and had a marine climate. Unfortunately, we encountered a lot of cloudy skies and some rain, but I think it made for some moody pictures.

 An unplanned and quick stop in Whittier, a crazy little fishing village that was mostly shut down for the season.

 Earlier morning fishermen in Seward trying to catch silver salmon

 We visited the Sea Life Center in Seward, which is Alaska's only public aquarium and ocean wildlife rescue center. They focus on research, rehabilitation, education and exhibits. Since puffins in the wild had already flown to the middle of the ocean for the winter (that's where they spend it!), this was our only chance to see them.

 We saw this crazy crab there too.

 We attempted to hike to exit glacier, but it was pouring so hard that by the time we made it half a mile we were soaked to the bone. We decided this was close enough.

SOAKED!

 We took a boat tour out into the Kenai fjords. Highly recommended!

 On the boat tour, we saw sea lions!

 ...and glaciers!

 I could watch sea otters all day long. This little guy was in the Seward harbor munching on mussels and clams under the dock. I wanted to bring him home.

 The Kenai has moose too.

 Visiting the very divey Salty Dawg saloon on the Homer spit.

 One more impressive glacier in Homer.

 That's the Homer spit! There are lots of shops and restaurants on the spit, but they were mostly closed down for the season.

 We saw so many bald eagles in Alaska. Fun fact: they have never been endangered in Alaska.

 The Time Bandit (from the Deadliest Catch) was docked at the marina on the Homer spit. They are gearing up for crabbing season.

 Hiding from bears.

 Looking for wildlife...from a safe spot.

 Another moose! I can't get enough.

And my favorite creatures of the whole trip were the bears we saw at the Wildlife Conservation Center in Girdwood, AK. Like the Sealife center, they focus on rehabilitating animals and releasing them back into the wild. 

Some of our favorite from the Kenai:

Alaska Sealife Center and Wildlife Conservation Center - two great places to see Alaska wildlife 

Double Musky - hands down the best restaurant in Alaska. Funny enough, it's New Orleans themed (just trust us)

Thorn's Showcase - Located in Seward. Order the bucket of but!

Salty Dawg Saloon - a Homer spit dive bar staple

AJ's Oldtown Steakhouse - Homer. Delicious.

Two Sisters Bakery - Homer. Get the ham and cheese savory. I'm still thinking about it.