This summer, the staff of Kenai Fjords Tours proudly hosted former United States President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalyn on an exclusive tour of Kenai Fjords National Park and an overnight at Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge on Fox Island during their visit to Alaska.

The Carters, who are avid birdwatchers, delighted in the variety of birds and wildlife they observed on the wilderness glacier cruise. Carter, who has identified more than 1,000 species of birds, added 19 new species while on the cruise - an excellent haul for a birdwatcher.

According to Kenai Fjords Tours Operations Coordinator Ron Wille, the Carters were very pleased with the cruise. "Carter was up in the wheelhouse most of the day, and he even drove the boat for a while, which he enjoyed immensely," said Wille.

The staff at the Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge on Fox Island treated the Carters to a chef-prepared feast. "We started the night off with a French onion soup followed by a fresh Caesar salad. Our main entrée was a pine encrusted salmon filet served on a bed of herbed orzo pasta and accompanied by fresh steamed asparagus. For dessert we put together a lemon cream tart which was served with Kiwi slices and a mango sorbet," said Executive Chef Marlin Theurer.

Following dinner, Carter treated the lodge staff to a story about his recent fly-fishing trip on the Kenai River in which he landed many fish, including one that broke his rod. "It was an incredible experience that will linger with all of the Fox Island overnight staff for years to come," said Theurer.

Kenai Fjords Tours, based out of Seward, Alaska, is one of the state's leading wildlife and glacier cruise companies. Tour offerings go deep into the pristine wilderness of Kenai Fjords National Park. Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge is an intimate, rustic lodge located exclusively on Fox Island, in the heart of majestic Resurrection Bay and accessed solely by Kenai Fjords Tours. Kenai Fjords Tours and the Wilderness Lodge are owned and operated by CIRI Alaska Tourism.

For more information about Kenai Fjords Tours or another CIRI Alaska Tourism offering, visit www.alaskaheritagetours.com.