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Seward, Alaska
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Introduction to Seward
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Seward is a beautiful little town and one of
Alaska's oldest communities. Situated at the head of Resurrection Bay on the
Kenai Peninsula, it is known as the "Gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park."
This town of about 3,000 is surrounded on all sides by mountains and overlooks
the blue waters of the bay. The weather is frequently rainy, but on a reasonably
nice day, the view is spectacular. Approaching from the bay allows you to view
the town against magnificent Mt. Marathon (3,022 feet/921 meters).
The Harding Icefield (35 by 20 miles/56.3 by 32.2 kilometers) extends downs the
coast between Seward and Homer, spawning glaciers (eight of which are tidewater
glaciers) and calving icebergs into the bay.
This Gold Rush town was founded when developers tried to build a railroad from a
year-round port to the gold diggings in the Interior. Two companies went
bankrupt before the federal government finally undertook the project in 1915.
Prior to that time, Seward had served as a winter port for miners from Nome and
Iditarod, who followed the mail route now known as the Iditarod National
Historic Trail.
This busy port is home to the Alaska Sealife Center, and other tourism
activities are plentiful and varied. Eagles and otters are commonly seen from
shore. You might want to try the 6.5 hour glacier cruise, which travels
throughout Resurrection Bay. The bustling harbor and historic downtown district
are filled with quaint shops and art galleries. |
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