Day 6
Alaska Railroad and Resurrection Bay Cruise
We had another early morning in order to arrive early enough to make sure that we got our tickets and could board the train. DH and I love trains (as do Robyn, Stephanie, and John) and we were really looking forward to this day. There is always a day in the
ABD that stands out (Mushing and Hot Springs in Wyoming; Monks, Rice Farms, and Waterfalls in SE Asia; Machu Picchu in Peru; and Sailing around Santorini in Greece) and this was the DAY for this trip.
We boarded the train without issue. Nick’s BFF joined us, which made the trip even more fun. Thanks to BluesTraveler’s genius suggestion, the boys had a deck of cards and the train had crayons and color pages (that the boys converted to drawing paper). We were served drinks and started our journey. ABD is in the First Class Cabin that has large windows and a glass ceiling so you have an amazing view. The scenery is incredible.
Robyn had arranged for our group to have breakfast first and we were quickly called to the dining car that was a small flight of stairs below. On the train, there was FINALLY a delicious breakfast. I had the cream cheese stuffed French Toast (so did both boys) and DH had the more traditional breakfast. It was DELICIOUS. Mine was not too sweet but just right and was a reasonable portion. All four of us ate everything! DH and I also enjoyed a mimosa. We spent the rest of the trip just enjoying the scenery and the beautiful train. I was sorry that it was only a one-way trip.
We arrived in Seward and John was there to meet us to drive us the rest of the way to catch up with our boat that would take us through Resurrection Bay. Resurrection Bay is called such because Captain Cook and his crew came upon it in the middle of a storm and found calm there that saved their boat. The bay quite literally brought them back to life.
We boarded the boat and before we left the harbor, we saw some adorable sea otters playing in the water. Now, I will say that I went into this cruise prepared thanks to Blues Traveler’s trip report. I knew it would be a long day for Nick. I decided early on that if he played cards with new BFF throughout the cruise and did not pay attention to one bit of the wildlife and scenery then that was okay. I tend to get worried about him ‘missing’ something but realized after our Peru trip that making a new friend from a different part of the country may be more valuable to him now than focusing on the scenery. So, with that set, the boys went and sat with the other Juniors. DH went on the top deck and I found a nice chair inside with a good view.
The trip was full of scenery and our captain was terrific about pointing it out to us. Plus, she had a fantastic voice (really, she should be in broadcasting) so it really made the trip come alive. We went for about two hours and then stopped on Fox Island for lunch. Of course, Robyn and Stephanie had the perfect strategy for us. They took us to meet the captain to learn more about the boat so the other people on the cruise (it is a fairly large ship) could rush out to get to the lunch line. Then after they were done, we would stroll off the ship to grab our lunch when there was no line and after they had replenished the food offerings with hot food. (These guides know what they are doing).
It was fun to hear about the ship. We took some fun pictures piloting and then headed for lunch. Things worked out just as we had planned and we all sailed through the lunch line and found seats. Lunch was really good! Prime Rib and Salmon were served. There were King Crab Legs but it was a $50 surcharge (DH was really bummed). On the boat, the crew had given the kids additional Junior Ranger books to work on. Nick enjoyed his experience getting his Junior Ranger badge in Denali so he wanted to get one for Kenai, too. So, we did the exercises before he ditched me to go sit and play cards with new BFF. Since he had done his workbook, he got his Junior Ranger pin for Kenai from the Ranger during lunch.
Fox Island is gorgeous and it is also supposed to be the stone skipping capitol of Alaska. All of us enjoyed trying. DH had the most success and Nick got a few going. I was hapless but it was still lots of fun. After lunch and skipping, we loaded back onto the boat in search of more wildlife. We found a ton seeing more otters, puffins, and sea lions sunning themselves on a rock. Then as we got further out, we saw three humpback whales! It was amazing. We were all on deck watching and when one dove in and finally showed her tail (they were in fairly shallow water); I actually jumped up and down and clapped! It was an amazing sight and I was awestruck.
The water did get choppy where the whales were and both Nick and I felt a little green after. Our captain moved us quickly out of the choppy waters (after we were able to watch the whales for a while). The little bit of nausea was worth it and of course, Robyn and Stephanie gave Nick ginger candy and the crew gave him some ginger ale and he felt much better. We have learned to take his nausea seriously after Peru but that is a story for another time.
It was time to head back and as we pulled into port, we saw the same adorable sea otters we had seen on the way out. They were still playing in the same spot. We loved the cruise and it was definitely a highlight of the trip.
That night was dinner on your own in Seward and we were honestly not too psyched. The Aleyska had some really good sounding restaurants (including a Sushi Bar) that we really wanted to try. Robyn was trying to cheer us up by saying there were some really good places in Seward. She said there was a Brewery, a Pizza Place, and a Fish Place! DS and I (as well as some of our fellow adventurers) groaned internally (you cannot groan to Robyn’s face; she is too wonderful) because EVERY town we had been in had a Brewery, a Pizza Place, and a Fish Place! One of our adventurer friends exclaimed, “I just want a green juice!” and we felt his pain. My family also just wanted something healthy and light. Nonetheless, we would have to find a place in Seward. We selected another place Stephanie recommended that was NOT a Brewery, a Pizza Place, or a Fish Place!
It was called Zudy’s and it was EXACTLY what we wanted/needed! It was a cute sandwich place that had sandwiches, soups, and house made desserts. It was terrific and probably our favorite meal of our trip. (I think that is because it was exactly what we needed at that moment). We all had sandwiches. They were all wonderful and fairly healthy and we shared White Chocolate Key Lime Cheesecake for dessert. We loved Zudy’s! There was a street fair going on so some people had grabbed food there, which also sounded fun.
After dinner, you could hang out in Seward or visit the Alaska SeaLife Center. We opted for the SeaLife Center and we all really enjoyed it. Most of our group ended up there, too. They had just rescued a baby otter and baby walrus. They were adorable and fun to see. They had some other good exhibits that we enjoyed. It was definitely worth doing.
After that, it was back on the bus and back to the Aleyska and straight to bed. It had been a long but amazing day!