Sunday, August 1, 2010

Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge

This was our world for the first two nights of our tour.
It is owned by the tour company but anyone can book a cabin, you don't have to be with a group.  This place captured my heart and my imagination.
To preserve the wilderness feel, the cabins are hidden in the trees.
There is just enough opening between the trees to give a peek-a-boo view of the lagoon.
The lodge has a more open view and a spotting scope allows one to look for otters, harbor seals, birds and black bear.  All of these are abundant in and around the lagoon.
The guides arrange a variety of activities each day; kayaking in the lagoon or in the bay and hiking are available.  If you want to go explore on your own, you can do that as long as you check out a can of bear spray.  Did I say there are lots of black bears?  Of course, you are free to just sit and enjoy the view.
We watched a presentation on the building of this remarkable place.  To keep the impact on the land as low as possible they brought the materials across the spit rather than come into the lagoon.  They used the foundation of one cabin to stage the next so as not to trample the vegetation.  In areas where the moss and other plants would be covered by paths and foundations it was removed and used to restore other areas which had been damaged.  The result is a wilderness experience in comfort.  Civilization is 40 nautical miles away.
If you want to see just where this place is and how we got there, check out my earlier post.
You can find more views of the world at That's my World, Tuesday, hosted for us by Klaus, Sandy, Wren, Fishing Guy and Sylvia.
Have you ever wondered if bears can swim?  For the answer, check out my Watery Wednesday post.  I probably won't be able to link it so you'll have to come looking for it.

19 comments:

clairz said...

This is such a marvelous adventure. I am glad to be able to enjoy it along with you, Martha. What a beautiful lodge!

You can be sure I'll be back for the next installment.

Anonymous said...

What a lovely lodge and such a gorgeous view! I see that you had better weather that day.

Diane AZ said...

The cabins and lodge look so cozy tucked into the pristine wilderness. I'll check back to see if there are any watery bears. :)

Carolyn said...

Wow what a wonderful place and glad that there are people who do understand the fragility of some of our ecosystems. Beautiful photos Martha and thank you so much for taking us along on your adventure.
Smiles

EG CameraGirl said...

Looks like a wonderful place to experience nature!

Noel Morata said...

aloha

a very interesting photos to share with us today, i loved the photo looking from the cabin out to the rocking chair and the lake, its very inviting.

my world in posted on my plantfanatic blog today :)

BraCom said...

beautiful place and photos

Regards, Bram

Seen on My World Tuesday

Photo Cache said...

I'd love to experience exploring alaska on land. LUcky you.

www.ewok1993.wordpress.com

Carver said...

What a wonderful vacation. I've always wanted to go to Alaska and this looks like a great way to do it. I looked back through your other photographs too and all your Alaska shots are making me want to go even more.

Sylvia K said...

What a wonderful vacation, Martha! And what a gorgeous place! Thank you so much for taking us along! Your marvelous photos are the next best thing to being there myself! Enjoy!

Sylvia

Anonymous said...

Hard for anything else to be as beautiful. Please have a good Tuesday.

daily athens

Carol said...

What a wonderful vacation! I hope I get to do this some day. Your photos are gorgeous...such awesome scenery.

Barb said...

Those rockers look inviting, but who has time to sit with that scenery and wildlife all around you? I'm enjoying your adventure, Martha!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Thanks again for sharing this fabulous adventure!

Gaelyn said...

This place looks like a little bit of heaven. I like what they did to build it in a green way also.

Indrani said...

Adventurous vacation! Great shots from there.

Unknown said...

what an amazing vacation place! marvelous photos.

Noelle Johnson said...

Oh Martha,

The second photo made me want to jump up, grab my credit card, jump on a plane and try to get there by nightfall. What a beautiful, tranquil place. I am glad you were able to visit as I will probably not make it there today....the kids are due home from school in 2 hours ;-)

Paulie said...

Loved the window scenes especially! Think those rockers should have been comfortable benches instead!