Dorene Lorenz

lovely

It is an easy hike to the bottom, a wee tiny bit of a challenge to make your way to the top – and an amazing view of the Harding Ice Fields. Flying over it takes your breath away. Nothing like a glacier you can walk up to and pet.

If you have but one place to go to find the heart and soul of Alaska, go to Seldovia.

A science center with wonderful displays of marine life in the Seward area.

Best food in town, and a beautiful bar from the 1800s.

This story is amazing, as is the history of Brown & Hawkins – two speculators who came to Alaska in the early 1900s and literally made millions. The store is still owned by the family.

They came in the first wave of pioneers, and made a merchantile that grubstaked every fisherman, gold miner, dog sledder, trapper, merchant – you name it, that came through Seward on their way to Alaska.

Tons of old photos, great outdoor clothing, wisecracking staff who are really knowlegeable about the area. The vault for the bank is still in the building – held a million in cash and a million in gold nuggets during the depression.

A must-see if you are coming to Alaska. See http://www.sewardhpc.org/historic_properties/brown_and_hawkins/brown_hawkins_store.shtml for more information.