| As I approached the Ted Stevens International Airport | | | | was clear that the land I was walking on was recently |
| in Anchorage on a crystal clear afternoon, I peered out | | | | covered by glaciers. Young Alder trees, dotted the |
| over the expansive views of the Chugash Mountains, | | | | landscape long with other "pioneer plants," but soil in |
| the Harding Ice Field, and Kenai Fjords National Park of | | | | any quantity was still decades away as the slow |
| south-central Alaska's Kenai Peninsula. | | | | process of soil building continued. |
| My adventure would begin traversing the 130 mile | | | | On my orientation I learned that what attracts most |
| stretch of the highway from Anchorage to the | | | | visitors to Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge is its location and |
| seaside town of Seward. Considered by many to be | | | | stunning views of the Pederson Glacier and Lagoon. |
| one of America's most beautiful drives, the Seward | | | | Situated on 1,700 acres within Kenai Fjords National |
| Highway offers many WOW moments along the way. | | | | Park, it's the only lodge within the park. The lodge |
| When keeping my eyes on the road became too | | | | opened in 2008 after two years of development. It is |
| difficult, I'd pull off and take in the expansive vistas of | | | | well to note that every possible precaution was used |
| Turnagain Arm, the Chugash Mountain Range and | | | | to keep the building site in its original pristine condition. |
| majestic glaciers. | | | | The 16 beautifully appointed guest cabins, connected |
| Once in Seward, one of Alaska's oldest and most | | | | by board-walks, all enjoy unobstructed views of the |
| scenic coastal communities, I found a host of tour and | | | | Pederson Lagoon and Pederson Glacier. The main |
| charter options, ranging from halibut and salmon | | | | lodge was built in part by utilizing large timbers cut from |
| charters, Kenai Fjords tours and the Alaska Sea Life | | | | the site on which the lodge was built. The oversized |
| Center. In the summer months, Seaward comes alive, | | | | windows in the great room provide an excellent |
| serving as the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park | | | | vantage point for viewing wildlife and around the |
| and Resurrection Bay. | | | | lagoon. Overstuffed chairs and a wood fire invite |
| My fist full day in Alaska would take me from | | | | relaxation along with some wine tasting. Handcrafted |
| Seaward aboard a 40' landing craft to Kenai Fjords | | | | rocking chairs line the outside deck and provide a |
| Glacier Lodge, the only eco-lodge within the park. Our | | | | comfortable outdoors gathering area. Photographers |
| landing craft also served a water taxi for groups of | | | | will find the picture postcard vista created by the |
| kayakers heading into the park for extended kayaking | | | | glacier a difficult object to resist as the soft morning |
| tours. Once the groups debark onto deserted pebble | | | | and evening light play upon it face. |
| beaches with their kayaks and gear, they are on their | | | | Before my sumptuous family style dinner, the activities |
| own for up to a week. The time and place of their | | | | coordinator checked in with me to see if I was up for |
| pick-up is re-confirmed by the captain before departing. | | | | a hike to the glacier the next morning. The three-mile |
| As we continue motoring toward Holgate Glacier, we | | | | round trip hike which begins and ends with a canoe trip |
| sight a group of Dall Porpoise playing of the bow | | | | across the lagoon is just one of the popular activities |
| effortlessly keeping pace. | | | | available at Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge. During my hike |
| After an hour of at the terminus of the Holgate Glacier | | | | the following day I viewed black bears; sea otters; |
| I relished in a jaw dropping display of glacial calving. As | | | | eagles; mountain goats; and a cacophony of birds |
| I looked through the images of glaciers and fjords I had | | | | which inhabit this wilderness setting. Kayaking trips |
| recently captured on my camera the captain | | | | across Aialik Bay are popular for those seeking a little |
| announced that we would soon be approaching our | | | | more adventure during their stay and require some |
| destination. As we crossed the calm waters of Aialik | | | | endurance. |
| Bay, views of the Pederson Glacier dominated the | | | | In summary, I was most impressed with the sense of |
| landscape; it would become the focal point of my stay | | | | respect for the land and wildlife that was evident |
| at the Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge for the next two | | | | throughout my two night stay. There was no |
| days. | | | | disturbance of the surroundings save for the footprint |
| A welcoming party from the lodge waits on the shore | | | | of the buildings and pathways that lead to it. The |
| as our deck hand lowered the landing ramp onto the | | | | lodge staff was knowledgeable and helpful. The |
| pebble beach. As we walked ashore, our luggage and | | | | activities and meal schedules offered a relaxed rhythm |
| supplies were being offloaded onto all-terrain vehicles. I | | | | that I found refreshing and restful. The retreat like |
| opted for the 15 minute walk to the lodge which | | | | setting allows nature to take center stage as it should |
| provided an opportunity for a quick orientation and | | | | in the within heart of Kenai Fjords National Park. |
| introduction to the recently completed eco-lodge. It | | | | |