This post is not to revisit our loss, with the expressions of condolences by our’s and Cody’s friends but to let everyone know, Bella won’t every replace Cody but she is now here to help fill the empty place left in our hearts.

 We often forget that in order to pay for the City services we receive, the costs of those services first need to be approved by the city council and then they approve how to pay for them.  Few of you probably know that at the last City Council meeting, where no one signed up for public comment, the Council as well as your newly elected Mayor passed the proposed annual increases in your Electric, Water and Sewer bills for the 2012-2013 budget.  Do you approve of these increases?  Better yet, do you approve of the expenditures these increases pay for?  

 If you do approve come to the City Council Public Hearing at 7:00 pm Monday November 14^th, and tell your elected representatives.  If you have questions or disapprove it is even more important you come and be heard. 

 The budget process is a complicated accounting process for the City.  Without input from you, the city and your elected representatives can only make their best attempts to make Seward the city you want.  City spending ultimately is paid by you and me.    With a declining business and population base and without reductions in spending those costs can only continue to go up in the form of increased taxes, mil rates, and fees.

 Please set aside the three hours it will take of your time this coming Monday November 14^th,  your last chance, to give your elected representatives your approval or disapproval to pass the City ofSeward’s 2012 and 2013 Final Biennial Budget.

 What, when and choosing a place to visit in Alaska, can be a little over whelming. Here are a few facts that might help make your decision seem easier. The right time of the year might not be the same for everyone. Depending on what you wish to accomplish up here can depend on a number of things. Mainly the weather and the fast seasons Alaska has to offer. These are the reasons to visit Seward Alaska.

  Seward offers a wide variety of choices for you and your spouse/ friends to do while hear. Weather it is fishing or just shopping, there is plenty to enjoy and see. You will not be disappointed by it’s wondrous beauty, Black beaches, or it’s crystal clear icy waters that penetrate far out beyond a never ending ocean. View mountains that seem to shoot straight to heavens and yell “climb me” with the whispering windy sunny air. Run through vast coastal rain forests so thick you have to stay on the trail. Glacier streams flowing down mountains are everywhere, and surrounding you is all the wildlife, watching, waiting for you, to come see, Seward’ scenery. It is probably one of the most photographic places you could ever visit on this planet, we guarantee.

    We would like to start with Red or Sock eye fishing. The reds can start running in May and will stay till July before they make there long journey inland to reproduce. These fish are either caught on a fly rod or by a technique called snagging. Your limit is Six a day and after two months, one can put a lot of fish in the smoker or freezer. In Seward they mainly caught on the other side of Resurrection Bay at the foot of Mt. Alice off Nash road.

    Next comes the Halibut Derby, starting May 1st. $875 in cash prizes a week for fort-teen weeks, is given away, with a grand prize at the end for biggest fish. There is a buy in every day or packaged rates. Be prepared to catch a fish…… bigger than you!

 And finally, The Silver Salmon Derby in August. (Coho)This is the one where you can win, “the big money”. Totaling in over $100,000 in prize money, it is Alaska s and Seward s biggest tournament by far. With prizes given out daily and or with a tag salmon,(Which could be a $50,000 to $100,000 fish) and also prizes to the fifty heaviest fish are awarded, at the end of the tourney. 

 The Forth of July race up Mount Marathon is also a very popular event held every year in Seward. This is one of the oldest foot races on the North American continent. Legend has it, that in 1908, a bartender bet a geologist that he couldn’t run up and down the mountain in under an hour. He took the bet and did it in sixty two minutes loosing the bet, and in 1915, it became an official event in Seward. Now it draws people from all over the world to watch/compete in the annual race. With the race comes a few days festivities including fireworks displays, street vendors, dancing, beer gardens, concerts, all the way to mud bogs across the bay on Nash road. $30 is all you need to participate in the bogs and $5 gets you in the door. This is the height of the tourists season, so plan accordingly.

    Since we are talking about running up a trail, Seward also has many trails you can venture off for the day and or night. Caines Head is 13 mile hike to an old World War 2 army fort you can go explore. (Watch for tides or you be trapped for a while) Climb the Lost Lake trail (15 miles) and spend the night by the lake in a free cabin on top of the mountain. Or claw your way up to the Harding Ice Field (8 miles) to see vast gleaming glaciers frozen in time. But wait, yes there are plenty of other trails ready for your mountain bike riding. 250 miles total, weave in and out of mountains and valleys of Seward, inviting you to ride over the next peak to see what is on the other side.

    But wait, the best way to see Alaska s awesome terrain is by the air. Choosing to go by airplane or by helicopter is your decision. But only one can take you to where the glaciers and the dogsleds are, and that is the helicopter. Camps are set up a top of mountains waiting for you come share with Alaska s oldest tradition, Iditarod. Yes you can ride with the Huskies as they pull you through a vast winter wonderland over looking Resurrection Bay while you reminisce about the old hunting ways and gold rush days.

    The only other way to see Seward is by water. Maybe kayak next to a killer whale, or keep your distance on one of Seward s many scenic companies. No matter the aquatic and flying wildlife will astound you, or maybe you just want to sit and relax next to ocean and read. It is up to you. Go shopping in the many fine stores, eat dinner in a variety of cuisines from seafood to subway, you will find something to enjoy.

    All in all, Seward s summer lasts only but a few months, so plan early, do your research and know what you want to do before you book your vacation. Things such as hunting are only at certain times. (Months and/or weeks) The wrong time could put a unneeded damper on a much awaited trip.   Posted by Tim Camden, front desk clerk Hotel Seward

The train departs on Saturday the 24th of September at 1 pm for the scenic ride to Seward. Once on board you can enjoy a variety of food, drinks and live jazz music onboard. After arriving in Seward, transportation to your hotel is provided so you can check in and unload your heavy bags. The Pit Bar is your next stop on your jazz adventure. The offers an Alaskan style BBQ, Dancing and LIVE MUSIC until the wee morning hours. Rides from the bar to your hotel will be available all evening. The next day, climb back aboard the train for the relaxing scenic ride back to Anchorage, again with a 1pm departure time

This jazzy get away offers guest the chance to see the Turnagain Arm and Chugach National Forest in a way that is impossible to see by car. View many of Alaska’s wild animals like Moose, Bears, Fox, Beavers and Bald Eagles to name a few. Make sure to bring along your camera to capture the beauty of the snow capped mountain and the changing colors of Fall.

Tickets are limited – Call the Alaska Railroad 265-2494 for reservations. (800-544-0552)

And mention you want to stay at the Hotel Seward!!

In Alaska Fall comes early and Alaskans as well as Visitors to the state begin to search for what to do in fall after the Alaska Fishing season comes to an end and before winter sporting activities kick off.  Although it isn’t for everyone the Alaska Deer Hunting Season is open for Bucks only Aug 1 – Sept 30 and any Deer Oct 1 – Dec 31 with a Bag limit of Five Deer Total.  An Alaska Hunting License and Harvest Tickets are required for Any Prince William Sound Deer Hunt.  Spend your nights in one of the comfortable Prince William Sound rental cabins at Eshamy Bay Lodge , enjoying excellent meals, flush toilets, and hot showers, while you map out your next days hunting destination for the Captain of the Prince William Sound taxi to transport you to.  Let Prince William Sound Taxi transport your Sitka Blacktail Deer Hunting Party to the destination of your choice in the Prince William Sound.  If you aren’t a hunter don’t forget Hotel Seward for your fall and winter getaways.  Hotel Seward is Alaska Lodging at it’s finest. 

 Cross country skiing in Seward Alaska is a great experience; it is a great way to have fun outdoors in the winter, get in great shape or stay in great shape, as well as having fun with friends and family. We have a nonprofit Nordic Ski Club organization here in Seward dedicated to cross country Nordic skiing. The club is made up of a variety of skiers from all over the world and welcomes new members and visitors alike. The Seward area is rich with trails that suit all skill levels from expert to beginner, groomed to backcountry. If you plan on being in Seward or are in Seward during the winter I would recommend talking to the Nordic ski club for conditions & trail descriptions.

Below is map of some trails located in Seward for cross country skiing, for more information about cross country skiing in Alaska, visit the Nordic ski clubs website.

sewardnordicskiclub.org

When the mind is backed by will, miracles happen.

-Dog Sleds-Snow Machine-Ice fishing-Igloos-Snow Man-Best Snowball fights-Moose Ptarmigan Hunting-Snowboarding/Skiing-Snow shoe hikes-Photographers dream snow,  snow shoe , grayling, Swan River, winter kings in the Resurrection bay

            Most people think there is “not very much going on”, in Seward Alaska during the winter. They are dead wrong, mostly dead, slightly wrong. I moved here from southern California a couple years ago on Thanksgiving Day. If you are from the “lower 48” (what Alaskans call the rest of the United States) and plan on visiting and fully experiencing Seward Alaska, in my personal opinion it is much more surreal during the winter. The population here in Seward Alaska year round is 3,500 and jumps to 40,000 tourists and seasonal workers during the summer. It is allot more laid back slower pace place to live during the winter. Seward starts getting packed when the first cruise ship gets here in May and starts slowing down when the Alaska cruise ships leave  in September. If you want an actual vacation and a get away from the everyday grind I would strongly suggest spending your time here during the winter. The scenery in Seward Alaska during the winter is breathtaking, 100% different then in the summer. Everything’s covered with a thick blanket of snow, It gives a since of how much land is being preserved. If you are from a bigger town with a high population it’s harder to get the since of how much untouched land there really is.