Second Time in Seward, Alaska

June 3, 2023 (Saturday) Seward

Finally, we are docking at a port after seven days at sea! 

We arrived Seward early in the morning before 6:00. This morning we have to go through the US Immigration Face-to-Face check and our deck was scheduled for 8:00-9:00. We had a group of people planning to go on shore with us and their schedules were all over the place. We made it a point to have people gather before 9:30 so we don’t waste too much time. Free shuttles started serving at 10:00 from port to different stops in town. After the long line but quick immigration process, we were ready to get off. There were about 5 CBD officers on board but like only 3 doing the actual checking.

Land!

Queen Elizabeth docked safely at Seward.

Once we got everyone together, close to 20 altogether, we walked off the ship into the terminal. Then followed the path as we did last time and into town. Some were very slow, because there were older people and kids, and one even walked with a cane. They tried hard to keep up but by the time we were at the lighthouse memorial, some decided that they would not come along and will walk on their own or go back to the ship on their own. We ended up with about 10 continued the walk along the shore to the Alaska Sealife Center.

Off the ship...

into the terminal.

Car rental near the port.

"Two Giant Puffins" mural at a hotel along the promenade.

Colorful!

Looking out at the harbor with QE in the background.

Our original group to start with.

10-ton Anchor Display

Seaward Mariner's Memorial

Campgrounds along the shore.

We followed the Sea Otter Trail all the way up to the Iditarod Mile Marker 0.

Such a beautiful and relaxing walk!

This is a Saturday and they were having a special activity at the Waterfront Park, a membership drive of the Iditarod Trail Organization. We were invited to have hot dogs and coffee/lemonade as we walked by. What a wonderful gesture, so we can enjoy a snack of free hot dog and hot coffee which was great on this cold and drizzling day. 

We got to meet a couple of the huskies there also.

I don't think these are the ones for the races.

Awe!

Then we were at the Sealife Center. It was very crowded! We rested a bit and used the restrooms before our walk back to the port.

We had planned on taking the Two Lakes Trail and see how that is without knowing too much about the trails. With help from a couple of fellow hikers, we decided to check it out after all. There were 8 of us going together as we lost a couple of people while at the Sealife Center. During the walk, I was worried that we would take the wrong turn that leads up to the mountain, but fortunately we ended up with the right trail except we did not do the loop, so we had to find our way back into town through some residential area. It was a beautiful walk but definitely need to watch out for bears.

We also made it back in time for last minute lunch at the buffet because everything close down at 2:30 for lunch (except the hamburger grill which close at 5:00.)

Last glimpse of the Resurrection Bay as we sailed away from Seward.

For a more detailed description of the day, please click video here.

"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord."  --  Luke 13:25