We awoke at about 8a and staggered (after such a long day the day before) to breakfast at the hotel. Excellent food once again. After checkout we headed to the Alaska Sea Life Center, basically an aquarium that also does a lot of research and caring for (and releasing if at all possible) orphaned local sea life. It was a really nice facility and we really enjoyed watching the harbor seals in particular. There was one that kept lifting its head above water, nose solidly in the air, as if he was enjoying the raindrops falling on him. The volunteer at the center said he was really napping.
Supposedly napping harbor seal
Resting harbor seal
Harbor seals at the Alaska Sea Life Center
Also visited their bird habitat — could get right up next to the puffins. Learned that salmon actually change physically when they go upriver to spawn — turning from silver to red and their mouth gets a pronounced hook. Never knew that. Also saw fossils of a prehistoric shark that had a tooth system not unlike a buzz saw.
Tufted puffin at the Alaska Sea Life Center
Interior of Alaska Sea Life Center
Exterior of Alaska Sea Life Center
Mural of blue whales opposite the Alaska Sea Life Center
Left the museum and went to eat at a local lounge. Michelle and Genetta had shrimp baskets, I had a club sandwich, and Addison had chicken tenders. It wasn’t bad at all. Afterwards we went gift shopping. Leaving Seward we stopped by Exit Glacier one last time then drove the 2+ hours back to Anchorage.
Exit Glacier outwash plain
In Anchorage we ate at Outback as Addison had been craving it. We then went to see Ant-Man. Really good movie and the theater seats were really nice. Afterwards hopped in the car and headed to the Holiday Inn Express for our final night in Alaska. Cleaned out the car and got ready to pack in the morning.
Route for Wednesday, July 22, 2015