Sample Menu for a stay at Shearwater Cove

Meal planning for a stay at Shearwater Cove is like meal planning for a car camping trip: you might not cook the most decadent or complicated meals that you would at home, but you can still get pretty fancy if you want to. As long as you are up to the challenge of carrying whatever you do bring up several flights of stairs to your yurt, you can get as deluxe (or keep it as simple!) as you want. By no means is this backpacking - leave those dehydrated meals behind.

Below are meal ideas that can be adjusted for your taste and desired amount of prep. Keep in mind that in the yurt you will be cooking on a two burner propane range with a large saute pan and a 4 quart pot. Cutting boards, knives, a can opener, colander, cooking utensils, a large serving bowl, olive oil and salt and pepper are all provided in addition to plates, bowls, cups, mugs, and cutlery. A yeti-style cooler is provided on each yurt’s deck. Guests supply their own ice. 1-2 bags of ice is sufficient for a 2-3 night stay. A complete list of provided items is at the bottom of this blog post.

The yurts do not have an oven or a grill. Shearwater Cove is a wilderness location and shares the coastline with many animals including black bears. The grease and meat residue of a grill on each yurt deck would be an inevitable bear attractant.

Full kitchen view. On the left is a rolling kitchen cart with large cutting board on top. All of the dishes, cookware, extra cutting boards for meat, and cooking utensils are stored here. On the kitchen counter from left to right are the coffee and french press, two burner stovetop with water kettle, salt, pepper, and olive oil, utensil holder, deep sink with hot & cold running water, dish soap, sponge, and drinking water dispenser. Below the kitchen counter are the recycling and trash cans, dish drying rack, and extra supplies including paper towels. Photo: Janessa Anderson

Breakfast

-pancakes, eggs & bacon-

• pancake mix

• butter

• small container maple syrup

• eggs

• bacon

-Breakfast Burritos-

• tortillas

• eggs

• protein of choice: bacon, sausage, can of black beans, etc.

• veggies of choice: potatoes, bell peppers, onion, garlic, etc.

• cheese

• sour cream & salsa

-Granola-

• box of granola

• milk of choice

• berries, nuts, or dried fruit

Pancakes with fresh blueberries. Blues at the Cove are generally ripe for picking by late July/early August. Photos: Sarah Conlin

Dinner

-Pasta-

• noodles

• jar of pasta sauce

• protein of choice: beef, chicken, beyond beef, beans, etc.

• veggies of choice: onion, garlic, bell pepper, mushrooms, etc.

• cheese/fresh basil to sprinkle on top

-Stir-Fry with Rice/Noodles-

• protein of choice: chicken breast, steak, sausage, tofu, etc.

• veggies of choice: onion, garlic, bell pepper, broccoli, carrot, mushroom, snow peas, etc.

• stir-fry seasoning packet

• rice/noodles of choice

-Tacos-

• tortillas

• protein of choice: ground beef, beyond beef, chicken, etc.

• taco seasoning packet

• onion/garlic for cooking with the meat

• fresh veggies for toppings: lettuce, cabbage, bell pepper, tomato, avocado, lime, etc.

• salsa & sour cream

-Mac n’ Cheese-

• box of mac n’ cheese

• can of black beans or other protein to mix in

-Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup-

• bread

• cheese

• box of premade tomato soup

• fresh basil to garnish. Yum!

Stir-fry with sausage coming right up! Photo: Sarah Conlin

Lunch/Snacks

-Charcuterie Board. Let’s get fancy-

• cured meats, salamis, etc.

• goat cheese, brie, aged cheddar, etc.

• nuts

• dried fruits

• chocolate

• crackers

-Cold Cut Sammies-

• bread

• slice cheese

• lunch meat

• desired toppings: avocado, romaine lettuce, tomato, mayo/mustard (pro tip: check a gas station for packets instead of purchasing a whole bottle that won’t possibly get used up)

• or keep it simple with peanut butter and jelly

-Ramen-

• Your favorite ramen packet. Check the Fred Meyers or Natural Pantry in Anchorage for a wider selection of single serving ramen packets.

Don’t forget those cozy hot drinks! We provide coffee and a french press to make it. Other drink ideas include tea, hot cocoa, or hot toddys. Photo: Sarah Conlin

Final Thoughts

There is a Safeway grocery store in Seward, but if you have time to shop in Anchorage or any other larger town like Soldotna or Homer you will find a wider selection of items and better prices than in Seward.

If you are planning to bring alcohol please note that liquor stores in Seward do not open until 10am. If your check-in time to meet our boat is 10am, please purchase alcohol the night before.

Please do not purchase styrofoam coolers. It is sadly very common to see bits of styrofoam floating around the ocean and on Alaska’s remote beaches. There is no need to buy a styrofoam cooler as we have an ice chest on our boat for storing your ice/cold foods during the boat ride to the Cove. Once at the Cove your cold foods can go straight into the cooler on your yurt’s deck. If you are a local and have your own cooler feel free to bring it. It’s just the styrofoam we want to avoid.

Thanks for reading! As always feel free to call us at (907) 750-8095 if you have any questions about your upcoming stay. Below is a comprehensive list of the kitchen items provided in each yurt.

Kitchen items provided in each yurt

• two burner propane stovetop

• water kettle

• ground coffee

• french press for making coffee

• sink with hot & cold running water

• dish soap, sponge, and dish drying rack

• kitchen towel

• paper towels

• drinking water

• cutlery, mugs, glasses, bowls, dinner plates, and app plates for 4

• large saute pan

• 4 quart pot

• large serving/mixing bowl

• cooking utensils: spatula, ladel, stirring spoon

• can opener

• colander

• chopping knife

• olive oil, salt and pepper

• wine bottle opener

• trash and recycling bins

• cutting boards, including boards specifically for meat

• pot holder

• large Yeti-style cooler

Cabin lodging just minutes from downtown Seward!

We have expanded our lodging offerings to include this cozy, modern cabin with a hot tub that is on the road system just minutes from downtown Seward, Alaska! This cabin pairs perfectly on either end of a stay in our yurts at Shearwater Cove. The cabin is also available to rent YEAR ROUND and is especially inviting in the snowy winter months.

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check out the cabin’s Airbnb listing for more details and to make a reservation.

Cabin Amenities Include:

• 2 memory foam queen beds. One queen bed is upstairs and the other queen bed is downstairs. The cabin is a cozy space and smaller than a conventional home. Privacy for sleeping areas is provided by curtain dividers (see photos below).

• 1 full bathroom

• Fully equipped kitchen stocked with basics of coffee, olive oil, salt and pepper.

• Fresh linens and towels

• Washer & dryer

• High-speed Internet

• Lounge area with leather furniture and Roku TV

• Workspace with desk and computer chair

• Private driveway

• Covered deck with hot tub and gas grill

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Covid-19 Mitigation Plan

Shearwater Cove is the perfect place to social distance and enjoy the outdoors. Each of our self-contained yurts has a private deck, private kitchen, and private bathroom facilities. Once guests arrive at the Cove there is no need to come in contact with other guests groups, and by the nature of being remote and surrounded by nature there is ample room for social distancing! The following is our Covid-19 Mitigation Plan to ensure that our boat and the yurts remain a safe, sanitary space for guests to enjoy.

One of our self-contained yurts, an ideal space for social distancing! Photo credit: Christian Hollums

Shearwater Cove Covid-19 Mitigation Plan

M/V Shearwater

Shearwater Cove is accessible only by boat, and round trip water taxi transportation for each guest is included in our nightly rate. Our boat, the M/V Shearwater, meets guests in the Seward harbor for the 45-minute boat ride out to the yurts. Guests and staff are required to wear face coverings while sitting inside the boat cabin. The boat cabin is well ventilated with 2 windows in the front and 1 window in the back. With the excellent ventilation, relatively short boat ride, and all persons wearing masks we believe it remains safe for us to operate.

Guests are also welcome to sit on the boat’s outside deck. While sitting on deck guests have the option of removing their masks. With a small boat capacity of 6 passengers maximum, our guests can be assured that their exposure to people outside of their household is kept to a minimum. The boat cabin is sanitized daily.

M/V Shearwater has both indoor and outdoor seating. Once at the Cove, guests have wide open spaces to explore.

Yurts

Cleaning and disinfecting of the yurts between guests groups will be conducted in compliance with CDC protocols. Our guests can be assured of the following cleaning procedures:

• Change of duvet, pillow protectors, blankets, throw pillow covers, and of course sheets and towels

• Wash and sanitizing of all dishes and utensils

• Sanitizing of toilets and shower

All yurt surfaces and bathroom facilities will be disinfected between guest groups, per our usual cleaning routine. Every precaution will be taken to ensure that the yurts are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between guest groups.

Cleanliness and space. Simplicity and quiet in a yurt in the woods. Photo Credit: Tessa Tillet Photography

Shearwater Cove Common Areas and Kayak Gear

We ask that guest groups maintain a safe distance of at least 6 feet from other guest groups on all walkways, hiking trails, and when preparing to go kayaking. The Covid-19 virus cannot survive in a salt water environment, so by nature of kayaking on the ocean our kayaks and associated equipment are continually, naturally sanitized.

Please let us know if you have any concerns about your stay. Given the remote nature of Shearwater Cove, our small capacity, the self-contained units, and our Mitigation Plan we are confident that Shearwater Cove can continue to operate safely this season.

There is still time to book your 2019 Alaska vacation!

Alaska is one of those places that people feel like they have to plan and book vacations for 6 months to a year in advance, or more! This is definitely helpful and recommended if you are visiting in peak season which is the month of July, but many small businesses (including us) still have availability in early to mid June, and mid to late August.

So far this June, we have seen more sunny days than rainy days in Seward. I even had to buy sunblock the other day which took 15 minutes of wandering around the store looking for it because I’ve never had to buy sunscreen here. Average temperatures are slightly cooler than they are in July, but June is a wonderful time to see the spring-time greenery and migration of humpbacks before the crowds of tourists hit in July.

“I like this place and could willingly waste my time in it.” - William Shakespeare

Looking out of Shearwater Cove at Resurrection Bay.

On the flip side, August is berry season and the height of plant growth before temps begin cooling back down into fall. With the berries arrive the pink and silver salmon runs. One of our main kayaking destinations, a large waterfall in a nearby cove, is the spawning ground for thousands of pink salmon. Guests who stay with us in mid to late August have the treat of paddling with the salmon and seeing the wealth of wildlife that they attract, including river otters, black bears, eagles, Steller sea lions, and sometimes resident orca pods. I always say it’s the circle of life back there, like walking around in a real life National Geographic photo shoot.

The waterfall in Humpy Cove to which thousands of pink salmon return every year to spawn. Photo credit: Mikey Huff.

If you’re still planning a vacation this summer, or a staycation right in-state, check out our calendar. When you stay with us, you are booking an adventure package that includes your round trip water taxi transportation to and from the yurts, an oceanfront yurt with amenities including showers, heat, memory foam beds, and a full kitchen, and unlimited use of our sea kayaks for exploring the surrounding coastline. Take the plunge and get off the grid and out of phone service. Experience the Kenai Fjords without sacrificing your creature comforts. Shearwater Cove is all about fostering outdoor exploration. Paddle in the rain, get those shoes muddy, reconnect with this life-giving earth, and know that you will return to a warm, cozy yurt and a hot shower at the end of the adventurous day.

Have the time to find your own space in the woods above the yurts at Shearwater Cove. Photo credit: Mikey Huff

Yurt Rental, Boat Tour, and Kayaking Package

When describing Shearwater Cove, we use the term Wilderness Adventure Lodging. Shearwater Cove is not just a place to sleep at night - it is a stand-alone package experience. When you book a stay with us, your nightly rate includes not only a well-equipped yurt, but also your round trip boat tour transportation to and from the Cove, and unlimited use of our top-of-the-line sea kayaks and gear. We also have an on-site host which ensures that there is always someone on the property with guests to answer questions and provide guest orientations to the yurts and kayaks.

Sometimes potential guests don’t understand that a night at Shearwater Cove is a stand-alone package, or they aren’t familiar with how expensive travel and activities are in Alaska and the Seward area specifically. With that in mind, I am going to outline here the cost of doing each activity provided at Shearwater Cove a la carte versus booking a stay with us:

A La Carte (all pricing based on 2 people)

Round trip Water taxi transportation: $150

Standard Hotel Room in Seward with comparable oceanfront view: $350

Guided Kayak Trip in our part of Resurrection Bay: $400 (and that is only a half day trip!)

Grand Total 1 night, 2 people: $900

VS.

Shearwater Cove (pricing based on 2 people)

Round Trip water taxi transportation/boat tour

Fully equipped, oceanfront, off-grid Yurt

Unlimited use of sea kayaks and gear for entire length of stay

Grand Total 1 night, 2 people: $550

Shearwater Cove is hands down a HUGE savings for any adventurous traveler looking to stay at a unique place off the beaten path with activities and transportation included. What’s more, we offer a discount for stays of 2 nights or more. Instead of $550/night for two people, the rate drops to $495/night for a stay of 2 nights or more. That’s another $55 in savings per night.

Another benefit of staying at Shearwater Cove is money saved on eating out. The average meal cost when eating out in Seward, Alaska is $20/plate. Even sandwiches or a simple burger average $16. For a couple, you’re looking at about $40/meal just for 2 plates, not including drinks, alcohol, appetizers, or dessert.

While at Shearwater Cove guests prepare their own food in their yurt’s full kitchen. Each kitchen has a two burner propane stove top, sink with running water, drinking water, pot, pan, dishes, cups and mugs, cutlery, serving bowl, olive oil, salt and pepper, french press, coffee, and ice chest. Guests simply bring their own ingredients and ice. At the local Safeway, you can purchase ingredients, drinks, and alcohol for easily half of what you would spend eating out (depending on how much beer you buy, I guess!).

View of the yurt interior: queen memory foam mattress, full size sofa bed, kitchen, rolling cart with cutting board and dishes, heater.

If you have any questions about what is included in the Shearwater Cove experience, please don’t hesitate to send us a message or give us a call at (907) 750-8095.

Springtime in Seward

It’s a sure sign that spring has arrived in Seward when the street sweepers come out to clean up the gravel that has accumulated all winter along the roads and bike path. Friends return to town after their winter travels, and seasonal business owners find themselves suddenly up to their elbows in endless projects as the snow thaws. Jason and I are no exception!

Late evening sunset on Resurrection Bay, just south of Seward, Alaska.

There may still be some snow in the forecast, but new leafy greens are starting to push out of the soil. It’s only a matter of time until the mountainsides will be green and guests will be sea kayaking around the yurts at Shearwater Cove.

Bookings are coming in fast for the 2019 season, so be sure to reserve your Alaska lodging sooner than later! If you are looking for lodging off the beaten path that provides an authentic Alaskan experience without sacrificing creature comforts, then check out our yurts at Shearwater Cove!

Our smaller, 1-2 person yurt at Shearwater Cove.

Shearwater Cove is ten miles by water from Seward, Alaska. The Cove is home to 4 yurts that are only accessible by boat and fully off-grid. Our nightly rental price includes your roundtrip water taxi transportation/boat tour, the yurt rental, and unlimited access to our fleet of sea kayaks and gear for exploring the surrounding coastline of Resurrection Bay. Kayaking destinations include Fox Island, Humpy Cove, Kayakers Cove, and Sandspit Point State Marine Park.

Yurt amenities include a memory foam queen mattress, fully outfitted kitchen for preparing meals, heater, running water, and private shower and compost toilet on the yurt deck.

So book a stay with us and get out there and adventure! Breathe the ocean air, explore in a kayak, and return home to your warm, cozy yurt to prepare a hot meal and take a hot shower. That’s right, our off-grid yurts are equipped with hot running water, heaters, and even memory foam mattresses. Experience the joy of being totally comfortable in a wilderness setting. Unplug and reconnect in the magical setting that is Shearwater Cove. See what other guests have to say on Trip Advisor.

Moving away from single-use plastic bags

Since guests bring their own food to Shearwater Cove, most people hit the Safeway or Seward Marketplace for groceries before getting on our boat. Most people don't travel with re-usable grocery bags, so a lot of plastic bags end up making their way to the yurts.

Reusable shopping bags help reduce plastic impact on our oceans.

This year, the Sustainable Seward organization is working to shift Seward away from plastic bag use in preparation for the city-wide ban on single use plastic bags which will take effect in October. Sustainable Seward members are hastily sewing t-shirt bags that will be available for shoppers to borrow and return in case they forget to bring their own bags. Keep an eye out for these re-usable options as you shop for your stay at Shearwater Cove!

Read the full story on The Seward Sun: https://sewardsun.com/03/10/sustainable-seward-join-forces-with-local-stores-to-transition-away-from-plastic-bags/

Kayaking in clean waters.

Meet our on-site host, Leigh!

Shearwater Cove’s on-site host, Leigh.

We are so happy that Leigh is returning to the Cove this year for another season of hosting our guests. Leigh has guided in Alaska for many years, and is currently a kayak guide on Kauai. She is the welcoming party when guests arrive at the Cove, and she makes sure everyone is safe and sound in their yurts and on the water.

Kayaking near the Fox Island Spit with Leigh.

Never been kayaking before? Book a guided kayak session with your yurt rental, and explore the coastline of Resurrection Bay with Leigh. You will learn how to safely and correctly handle the kayaks and gear, and explore places like Humpy Cove, Fox Island, the Fox Island Spit, and Kayakers Cove.

Leigh keeping the kayak gear tidy.

Leigh has made a wonderful addition to the Shearwater Cove team. Her inviting presence creates a welcoming environment for guests to settle in to our yurts and enjoy the wilderness setting. If you have any questions or concerns during your stay, Leigh will be ready to help.

From Sea to Alpine in Resurrection Bay

"Only by going alone in silence, without baggage, can one truly get into the heart of the wilderness. All other travel is mere dust and hotels and baggage and chatter." -John Muir

I like to think that if John Muir had the chance to visit Shearwater Cove, he would also sit at the top of our Alpine Trail and enjoy the view. Although I bet he would then scale the peaks behind the yurts and disappear into Day Harbor without telling anyone.

There is so much to explore in Resurrection Bay both on land and water. If you go John Muir style and hike off into the mountains or take to the water in one of our kayaks you have two great ways to experience the area from sea level all the way up to the alpine.

Shearwater Cove Springtime Update

Jason and I have been busy this winter planning and preparing for our second season of operation which begins in just over a month! Although our yurts at Shearwater Cove have been winterized since September, we have continued living and breathing the yurt life this winter in our own 16' yurt just a few miles out of town. Jason and I agree that there is nothing more cozy than yurt living, especially when your yurt is insulated by snow to the roof line as it was this winter. After three winters of scant snow, Seward finally got dumped on and remained cold enough for the ground to freeze and the snow to accumulate. This photo of our home yurt is the reason we do not continue operations in the winter - just too much snow!

Even with several feet of snow on the roof, the yurt rafters and frame showed no sign of strain. The yurt's relatively simple design is incredibly strong.

While holed up in our yurt, drinking coffee through the dark winter mornings, Jason and I reminisced about our opening season and brainstormed improvements for the coming summer. One of those improvements just arrived in the mail: four brand-spanking new Necky kayaks! These four doubles are joining our existing fleet of kayaks for a total of six doubles and one single. It is important to us that guests have equal access to kayaks while at Shearwater Cove. With our new additions everyone will have equal opportunity to paddle, even with a third yurt. Which is to announce the exciting news that a third yurt will be available to rent at Shearwater Cove by about the first of July!

Jason with the new kayaks on top of our storage conex. Our other three kayaks are hanging from the ceiling inside.

Alaska's long winter nights have given way once again to the sunlight. Already it does not get fully dark until after 10pm. The summer birds are migrating back north and the seasonal workers are not far behind them. The snow is melting and the sweet smell of cottonwood buds bring back memories of summers past. Summertime is creeping into our bones.

Home sweet home. From October until February the sun did not rise high enough to hit our home yurt. It was an exciting day when it finally came back!

There are many things to do between now and our opening date of May 20. Our calendar is filling up, so reserve your stay for the 2017 season soon! We are looking forward to another busy summer in Alaska's Kenai Fjords!

-Charity