Alaskan military resort booms on Independence Day

By David VergunJuly 7, 2015

Fleet in port
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Glaciers
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Salmon cruise
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Picnic
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Vacuum packing
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Train travel
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SEWARD, Alaska -- The 3,500 population of the Alaskan town of Seward exploded to more than 40,000 with visitor influx over Independence Day weekend.

July 4 is the most popular time of year at the Seward Military Resort for it's the day the Mount Marathon run takes place. Mount Marathon is right in Seward and racers can be spotted on the summit with a good set of binoculars from the resort, operated by Army Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation.

<b> Getting there </b>

Guests arrive from all over Alaska and the United States, said retired Sgt. 1st Class Scott Bartlett, the resort's general manager. They come via Alaska Railroad, cruise ship, commercial air, bus, space-available military aircraft to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson near Anchorage, and by car across the the Alaska-Canada Highway.

The resort is popular with Soldiers, retirees and Army civilians, he said, especially during the summer fishing months.

Coming to the resort in summer is difficult unless reservations are made at least a year in advance, Bartlett said. However, any time not between Memorial Day and Labor Day is usually easy to reserve, he said. It won't be fishing season, but there are plenty of other things to do, he said, and with the crowds gone, some might enjoy the solitude.

There's no better place to unwind and relax, Bartlett said. It's one of the best places in the world to fish, see wildlife and or just enjoy the scenery, he added.

Chaplains from Army posts conduct retreats, aka Strong Bonds, here for couples as well as single Soldiers on a regular basis. Also, 26 Soldiers a week for 14 weeks come on command-sponsored summer vacations from various Alaska commands.

<b> Catching fish sure bet </b>

Bartlett said he can't recall anyone not catching a fish, and often, the resort's four ocean-going vessels are filled to capacity with the day's catch. Each vessel carries 14 passengers, a skipper and two deck hands.

All-day sea-fishing excursions are offered and fishing from shore within walking distance of the resort is excellent on Resurrection River and its tributaries where Red Salmon abound, Bartlett said.

The ocean-going vessels leave Seward early morning and within three hours pass through Resurrection Bay to the Gulf of Alaska, where the big fish are plentiful, he said. The largest are the halibut, averaging 30 pounds. One lucky fisherman hooked a 147-pounder. Lingcod are also big, weighing a hefty 65 pounds. Other fish include chinook and coho salmon.

During the cruise, voyagers can expect to see humpbacks, orcas and grey whales surfacing for air.

Once fishermen return, deck hands help them haul their catch to a fish house for cleaning. The fish are then taken to another building, which has vacuum-packing equipment so the fish can be preserved. Once packed, the fishermen can take their catch home or mail it. The resort has agreements to lower the shipping costs 50 percent.

Occasionally, seas will be too rough for comfort. Such was the case July 4, when seas were running 13 feet on the Gulf of Alaska. Resurrection Bay was as smooth as glass that day so that can be deceptive. Bartlett checks the buoy reports each morning at 4:30 a.m. and makes the call whether to sail or not.

Cancellation is not a total bust, though, as shore fishing along the Resurrection River is really good if one doesn't mind sharing a fishing spot with brown bears, who also like the taste of salmon. They don't bother anyone, Bartlett said, advising guests to stay at a respectable distance and not disturb them.

The area is also teaming with moose, black bears and other large carnivores, some of which wander into Seward. Bald eagles also favor Seward and the surrounding area.

<b> Other activities </b>

While fishing is the most popular activity, there are many other things to do in Seward and the surrounding area, Bartlett said. The resort organizes dog sledding, horseback riding, cross-country skiing and snow mobile expeditions as well as glacier hiking.

Hiking on glaciers can be done in the middle of summer and the resort is surrounded by a number of them. Hiking in the mountains is popular year-round as well, he said, and there are a number of trails.

The July 4 holiday also featured fireworks and a number of food and craft vendors had tents set up on streets that were closed to traffic.

The resort features motel rooms, townhouses, log cabins, RV sites, yurts and bring-your-own tents.

Reservations can be made at www.sewardresort.com or calling 800-770-1858. Cost varies depending on season and category. Costs can be as low as $12 for a tent to $225 for a townhouse with fireplace for an enlisted Soldier.