Alaska -- Day Six -- Kenai Fjords National Park

We got up early this morning and went into Seward to have breakfast at the Smoke Shack restaurant in an old railroad car. Bryan tried the grits with cheese, bacon and jalapeño peppers. As we were walking over to check in for our 9 hour boat trip to the Kenai Fjords, Bryan realized that his spicy breakfast might have been a bad idea. We both ate some ginger to try and fend off sea sickness.

There were 101 of us who took this first of the season trip to the Northwestern Glacier. Only one boat goes there a day, during the summer season. It was freezing cold and yet considered a beautiful day. We saw Dall's porpoise, humpback whales, fin whales, mountain goats, harbor seals, sea lions, black bear, puffins, and otters. We also saw glaciers, waterfalls and an icefall. It was nine hours of beauty. Did I mention it was bitterly cold? Early in the day I went down to the bottom level to get some coffee and missed the huge sign that said, "Watch your step." I went completely down and hurt my knee and ankle...and my pride.

When we finally returned to the harbor we went in search of food. We hiked 12 blocks on pavement that seemed to be rocking like the ocean! We were scheduled for a guided hike to Exit Glacier tomorrow but I think my knee and ankle need a rest.