Incredible cruise from Seward!

Day 35 Wasilla to Seward. Distance for the riders 106 mi. My distance zero mi.

Even the cruise operators said this was one of the most perfect days they'd ever had for their daily five-hour cruise from Seward out into Resurrection Bay. We had perfect weather, we saw orcas, humpback whales, Stellar sea lions, otters, puffins, and bald eagles. We had an all-you-can-eat salmon and prime rib lunch complete with salad, rice, and dessert. All of this surrounded by the most wondrous glacial and mountain scenery you can imagine.

Bert, Tomoko, Janet and I left Wasilla early and drove the 185 miles to Seward. We arrived with just enough time to check in, park and get on the boat to leave at noon. Here we are just before departing, with our tour company (Major) behind Janet:

Then we set out in this incredible fjord, with snow-capped mountains and glaciers rising on both sides of the bay. That's Seward there we're leaving behind.

It didn't take long before we saw a humpback whale. Here's the best picture I could get:

Then we saw an otter:

We saw so many puffins, and eventually a rookery of Stellar sea lions:

Here is my best puffin photo:

And then after traveling a mile or so, we had our best treat, something the ranger on board said they see only every three weeks or so - a pod of orcas! They came right after Janet said, "Okay, now I really want to see orcas." There were about six, and we followed them for a long time. We got to see the calf breaching and spinning in the air, and they were close to the boat, and it was so amazing. That doesn't mean I got any great photos, but here's my best:

We later saw more humpbacks and otters, and sea lions, and many other birds. And scenery that wouldn't quit. It was such an awesome cruise. Here's one more picture:

After the cruise, we relaxed in our charming Swan's Nest Inn rooms. Bob, Derek, Rick, and Jessica rode their bikes today, with Derek doing the entire 106-mi distance and the others a little less because they drove segments. The four of us who did the cruise went grocery shopping and bought tons, and drove it to the motorhome at the campground. The others had already taken a shuttle into town to visit and have dinner. The four of us drove back to downtown Seward and had a scrumptious pizza dinner. We also drove a mile or so to this waterfall: