Glaciers

Seward is the entry point for Kenai Fjords National Park. Kenai Fjords is all about fjords (obviously) and glaciers and critters. Exit Glacier is one of the most accessible. It's called Exit Glacier because it is retreating. Markers show how far the glacier has retreated since the 1890s.

Exit Glacier is a short walk from a park visitor center. Much of it is uphill but it's still relatively easy. You can get fairly close to the glacier but you can't walk right up to it any more. Apparently a few years ago a chunk of ice fell off and almost clunked a tourist. Also, the ground from the viewing area to the glacier is very steep over loose, slippery rocks.

Yes, it's really blue, which has to do with the way the ice is compacted and light is reflected.

This is what glaciers leave behind: rock.

Seeing the big glaciers, such as Aialik Glacier, requires a cruise from Seward, through Resurrection Bay and into the Gulf of Alaska. On a good days, the ocean in the Gulf of Alaska is not the smoothest you'll ever find. We had a less-than-good day but, we were told, not a really bad day. Rain, wind and waves made the cruising part less than wonderful, but the views of the glacier were worth it.

We also experienced a lot of sea ice and our captain had to navigate carefully through the ice. We had just watched an episode of "Deadliest Catch" in which a crab boat almost became stuck or crushed in sea ice. Coincidence?

Kenai Fjords tourists often see critters, such as puffins (no photo), humpback whales

and Steller sea lions.