Cooper Landing and Seward

Cooper Landing - Russians left evidence of their search for Gold along the Kenai and Russian Rivers which border this town.  In 1884, Joseph Cooper, traveled into the area via the Kenai River from the Cook Inlet and located Gold.  The town is now known for its fishing and has numerous Lodges and Fishing outfitters. 

Cooper Landing Museum has a nice display of the town's history.  

St. John Neumann Catholic Church.  It is always interesting attending church services while traveling.  Many of the churches have been small but everyone is welcomed.  In many of the small towns the visitors out number the regular parishioners.   

Shrine located on the outside grounds

Nice relaxing stream flows through the church property

Hike in Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.  This hike over looked the Skilak Lake off the Sterling Highway to Kenai. 

Well we have a hiking buddy!  Saw this guy driving to the trail-head.  Cheryl was reluctant about doing this hike after seeing the bear.  I always remind the golden rule when you see a wild animal on a hike.  "Always keep your partner between you and the animal" 

Beautiful views of the mountains and lake from the top.  Encountered only squirrels and birds on the hike.

Russian River Falls - Everyone in the area said you had to make this hike.

Sockeye (Red) Salmon swimming (leaping) upstream to reach their ancestral spawning grounds.  The smart fish use the wooden fish in the background which makes the journey much easier.  This was a very interesting site.   We were told a mother Black and two cubs were sited feeding at this location.  Although we were there early we didn't them. 

I was tired after watching them!

Pools of Salmon downstream resting to make the falls

Fishermen haven!!  

Never know what you may see along the road!!  Lunch!

Seward Highway between Cooper Landing and Seward

Thought this was worth the picture of this mountain reflection into the lake

Woolly Geranium

Exit Glacier is a Fjords because it once flowed into the salt water of the ocean.  It is a glacier derived from the Harding Icefield in the Kenai Mountains. It received its name because it served as the exit for the first recorded crossing of the Harding Icefield in 1968.

View looking away from the glacier

Glacier is receding rapidly!

Downtown Seward - Seward is named for Secretary of State William Henry Seward who engineered the purchase of Alaska from Russia.  Seward's "Ice Follies",
During WWII Seward was the north most ice free port and served as the southern terminus of the Alaska Railroad which was critical to supply the war effort.
Several Iditarod winners live in Seward.
Today the economy depends on tourism.