After reaching the end of the road, we turned around, back for Kodiak. From there we drove North to Abercrombie State Park.  Here we saw a WW II bunker and from the viewing point a bunch of whales. Later that evening we returned the rental car and shared expenses. Annette then took the fairy back to Homer while I stayed two more days in Kodiak to wait for the feery to Seward

Kodiak town
           Next day I toured the town alone. First I walked to the library. Close by the post-office was a marker telling people how  high the tsunami wave came on Good Friday 1964, during the earthquake which centered near Anchorage. A lot of damage was done and some boats were moved several blocks inland.  At the library I was able to read up on this catastrophe. I also was allowed to use the computer to check my e-mail.
            There are many reminders in town of the Russian period, and I enclose two  photos:

 The cemetery and several orthodox churches were of particular interest.

            Next I visited the Alutiiq  Museums in Kodiak. I could see exhibits on earlier population of Kodiak island. In the Baranov Museum I saw albums with  pictures of American GI's who did their duty in Alaska during WW II, and also photos from earthquake and tsunami..

Ferry from Kodiak to Seward
Wednesday morning I checked out of the trailer where I stayed and walked down-town with my suitcase. Actually I was lucky that a motorist gave me a lift. I had plenty of time to visit the Baranov  Museum and embark around 2 pm. The fairy left at 4 pm and it took 13 1/2 hours to get to Seward
I was able to get a senior ticket and the ride cost me only 24 $! There were no waves to speak of and the ride was very pleasant. We saw some whales while it was still daylight. After dark we stayed inside. An older gentleman-passenger  played popular songs on the ship-piano and many of us sang. Unfortunately I did not know the words, but hummed happily along. The ship-bar closed around 10 pm, and nobody could say we were "under the influence".  At night the lights were dimmed and we could sleep in our seats. There were cabins, for those who paid extra.
        Arrival in Seward was at 5:45 am. It was rather cool this August 24, 2000. I was told there was a bus to take  passengers to town, but could not find one, so I walked. Eventually I found the hostel Moby Dick. It was only open at 9 pm, so I took a chance and left my suitcase there and then walked to explore the town. There is a very intersting Alaska Sea Life Center. Entry, though was rather steep, like 12 $. For that price I would want to spend several hours, but since I wanted to take a boat tour of the Kenai Fjords, I kept on walking.
        The boat to see the Fjord cost 67 $ and we left around noon. Passengers were assigned a seat on a table and after departure were given some very good food. A US forest ranger was aboard and explained us the Resurrection Bay and whatever scenery came into view. We saw interesting rocks, Sitka spruce,  etc. Wildlife we saw were one pod of sea otters, kittowake birds, horned puffins, cormorants, bald eagles, Steller's sea lions and even a mountain goat or two.. The guide also pointed out the presence of possibly a mink whale. The boat got rather close to Bear Glacier.
        I spent the night in Seward, first I playing a card game called 500, with 2 Australian ladies, then I read a paper back book till going to sleep.
         The hostel manager called in for a bus the next day. It arrived at 9:15, and I got a nice ride back into Anchorage.    Again we followed the Turnagain and had good weather.
            I had 2 days left in Anchorage and was able to find quarter at the Spanard Hostel.
I could then visit the botanical garden, which had beautiful flowers, as did the city of Anchorage.
A great visit was made to the Anchorage Museum of History and Art. There was an extensive special exhibit on Russian contribution. In 1725 or so, Peter the Great wanted to find out if Siberia was connected to the Americas. So he sent out the Dane Vitus Bering to explore. After him was named the Bering Sea. Of course, he found that America was completely separate from Asia.
Other explorers  followed Bering and Catherine the Great sponsored them. Kotzebue was a German explorer in Russian service, and Steller was the famous botanist/naturalist who described
the Alaskan wildlife.    The museum was also heavy into Alaskan history. There were beautifully equipped pavillion showing Aleuts, Russian pioneers, Alaskan, goldrush etc.

            After several hours in that museum I walked the streets of Anchorage. I found it a beautiful town and enjoyed the gorgeous flower beds all over. There is a statue to Captain Cook, who first explored this area, named the Cook Inlet, Turnagain etc. Captain Cook also explored Australia and the Pacific but sadly was murdered in Hawaii by the locals.
            Anchorage also has an interesting Federal Building with exhibits and of particular interest were free movies of Alaska, Bears and other wildlife.
            During my last day, there was a little rain. Then late on August 27 I boarded  a Northwest Airliner   for an uneventful trip back to Tallahassee, Florida.

P.S. I report only on the part since Kodiak. My son, Jimmy, wrote about the trips we made together before this.  See the link, please. We went to Fairbanks and also to Prince Williams Sound where we saw interesting glaciers.
I also want to thank Northwest Airlines for the free Frequent Flyer
Miles ticket.

For travel-stories in Southeast Asia, Japan, Europe, South America, Morocco, please see
 http://www.freenet.tlh.fl.us/~heinisj

or write to me at: jheinis@nettally.com