| We left Anchorage as the sun was trying to break through the clouds... just our luck after 3 days of rain and clouds. As we approached Turagain Arm, 20 miles south, the clouds started to thicken. By the time we were on the Kenai Peninsula, the temperature was around 50 F (10 C). Someone commented "if this is mid-summer in Alaska, I'd hate to see winter." The campground manager in Seward advised that this weather is what they usually have in September and forecast and early winter. We should not be surprised about all this rain because we are in a temperate rain forest that extends along the Pacific coast from Oregon through British Columbia to this part of Alaska. From what we gathered, the temperature is lower than normal, but the rain is still within the normal pattern. Seward, even in mid-winter, does not get very cold for long periods. The city owes its existence to the fact that it is an ice free harbor and thus became the major port for Alaska.
The trip down the Kenai Peninsula took us through a number of valleys and passes to get over the Kenai Mountains. There are numerous pull outs for photo opportunities. However, low hanging clouds and rain obscured the views. Maybe we can capture some of these scenes on the return trip.
The 1964 Good Friday earthquake created a tsunami that sent 30-40 foot (9-12 Meters) wave over Seward. The waves, and the fires generated when fuel tanks were ruptured by the action of the waves, destroyed most of the town. Some buildings survived and can be seen along 4th Avenue. After arriving in town we walked along the waterfront and the historic 4th Avenue.
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