Day 8: Homer to Seward

We had to back track a big part of the yesterdays drive but at least the weather was better.  My motto today was SEWARD or BUST.  The drive on the Seward Highway is beautiful beyond words.  Our first stop in Seward was the Kenai Fjords National Park Exit Glacier Nature Center.  We arrived just in time to grab a Junior Ranger book and for the 2:00pm Ranger Guided Talk.  It was lightly raining so not too many people joined the Ranger on the tour which was good for us.  The tour took the path of the Outwash Plain Trail which is a short easy walk.  The Ranger was very good and knew her stuff.  She was also great about making sure the kids on the tour were included.  The water in the river was gray . . .

The end of the tour with a view of Exit Glacier in the distance . . .

I wanted to get closer to the glacier so we took the Overlook Loop Trail which was not that bad but more hiking and uphill climbing . . .

A closer view of the colors . . .

Over the years the glacier has become much smaller which is sad but still pretty magnificent!  Here is a view of the hike back down with people to see the size of the glacier . . .

Colin was having a blast running free which is a tad dangerous, but we survived.  He could not understand why some people were climbing on the rocks outside of the boundary.  I told him they were not good moms and the ropes were there for a reason; it is not safe!  All he really wanted to do was touch/play in the water from the glacier . . .

 He said it was COLD!  I told him is did just melt from that big glacier.  Go figure . . . one last view from the hike down!

It was too early to check into the hotel so we had an early dinner at Smoke Shack.

It was an old train car converted into a restaurant.  I had the pulled pork sandwich that was so yummy as was the coleslaw and beans.  I love these small hole in the wall restaurants.  By this point it was pouring rain and so cloudy/foggy . . . just a yucky mess so we headed to the hotel for a relaxing swim and soak in the hot pool.  Tomorrow is a busy day so to bed early . . .