While we were staying at the Hotel Seward, Alaska, our friend Pat who is a 5W member and a local living in Seward picked us up from the hotel to show us around Seward for the afternoon. Pat took us to many areas including the local beaches plus we spent time in the Exit Glacier.

Late afternoon she drove us back to her place, Bear Lake Lodgings, on Bear Lake. This spectacular setting with its natural surroundings, simply took my breath away. I told Pat, this is my dream; A house on a lake. This stunning timber dwelling with its fresh water playground sits right on the edge of Bear Lake. Pat’s Bear Lake Lodging is a unique and fabulous bed and breakfast.

We walked out on to the deck overlooking the lake and saw Pat’s husband Dennis down on the dock. Pat told him that the ladies would like to go for a ride in his float plane. I kinda laughed thinking what a funny joke, but, it was not a joke. We donned life jackets and jumped in to the float plane, me in the front seat with Dennis the pilot and we took off. Dennis flew us over glaciers, pointed out so many interesting and spectacular sights, including bald eagles, and my absolute favourite, mama bear with her 2 cubs fishing for salmon in the lake; 2 different times. As a bush pilot, Dennis has seen parts of Alaska that few other people have ever experienced and has such a wealth of information that he loves to share. He was constantly in touch with the control tower and gave us a ride to remember, forever. We flew in awe over the glaciers and lake for about an hour and a half.

After returning to Bear Lodge, we stayed for fresh halibut dinner which we enjoyed on the deck overlooking the beautiful lake. Pat and Dennis have a very nice nightly custom which is sharing homemade ice creams on the deck where everyone is invited and where we met some very interesting guests who were visiting from different parts of the states. About midnight Pat drove us back to our hotel. In the summer time it stays light till about 11pm.

The next afternoon, Pat picked us up again from our hotel and took us to many other places in Seward before we returned once again to Bear Lodge for a magnificent dinner of fresh red Atlantic salmon out on the deck. After dinner we went out in their speed boat for a little bear spotting. We did not see any bears this time but came upon a family of loons, mama, papa and 2 baby loons. What a treat. Spotting loons is rarer than seeing bears. Papa loon was very protective of his family so we made sure we did not go too close nor frighten them in any way.

The views of Bear Lake from Bear Lake Lodgings really are magnificent. With glacier-draped mountains as a dramatic backdrop, the Lake is located approximately 3 miles from the town of Seward, and offers occasions for both adventure and relaxation; the setting couldn’t be more stunning.

This was definitely my WOW, and also one of the highlights of my life.