Bears !!!!! Monday, July 8th.

It is hard to believe we have only been here for 3 weeks.. however it has been 5 weeks since we left home. In some ways, it seems like a life time, in other ways.. it's barely just happened.

We have salmon in the freezer, and also Halibut, Cod and Razor Clams already. The freezer is looking pretty darn good. Don had a great time out Halibut fishing, twice now with his buddy Russ and I'm loving the results.

As I mentioned before, the clams are not as plentiful. but he has a charter booked to go get a boat load of them on the 23rd of this month.. so that will be great.

Yummmm. Halibut for the freezer.

The salmon fishing is pretty quiet right now. Within a few days, the RED'S will be in the Kenai River, and all hell will break loose in Soldotna. The motor homes and tourists are doubling everyday. The Fred Meyer parking lot looks like the busiest RV park on the peninsula.. and the traffic is getting horrendous. But you can feel the excitement in the air. The Fish are coming.. it is just a matter of days. .. and when that happens.. we will be on the river ourselves, everyday.

The famous Kenai River

there is so much water rushing down this river, that it is almost dizzying to stand too close. The speed and power of the water is a bit scary, but they sure do catch fish here.

 

We have also had a little excitement of another type to keep things interesting around here. The Bears.. Yep.. this is a pretty popular spot for bears , partly because we are so near the Kenai river but also because this is a popular spot here by Bills, for the Moose to have their babies. The bears know it... and the bears really like baby moose in their diet. It is so sad because they are so cute. We watched a mother and her twin calves swim across the lake about 3 days ago.. and then run past the cabin. You could tell she was quite stressed and in a big hurry. Well, we now know why. We have 3 huge Brown Bears ( grizzly ) hanging out. It is a Sow and her two.. probably 3 year old offspring. We found out during the night..........

This is not my photo.. this photo was taken by a Greg Henson on the McNeil River. I just added it because I wanted to portray the sheer size and power of these beautiful bears.. and I loved this shot. Thanks Greg Hensen!!

I woke up during the night to an unfamiliar sound. Laying there in bed in the 5th wheel.. I listened for a few seconds.. attempting to make my sleepy brain wake up enough to figure out what I was hearing. It is a snorting sound that as I began to think clearer.. I realized sounded like a bear. I leaned up on my elbows and pulled back the curtains, trying to spot something out side in the dusky 2:30am yard, but couldn't focus on anything in particular. At that moment my phone started ringing and when I picked it up.. my breathless neighbor Jan says.. " Oh my god Marcy, there is 3 HUGE brown bears ( that would be Grizzly in other terms), right outside your trailer". Don flew out of bed, loaded the rifle and we got ready for action if need be. She said it was the Sow and her two , probably grown cubs. Apparently another neighbor had seen this trio just a couple days ago down the road aways. Well, after a few intense minutes, listening and searching out the windows we heard a couple of shots near by.... probably pistol shots to scare them off... from a near by property. Now... admittedly I am a true lover of bears.. they fascinate me with their beauty, power and shear strength, but honestly all I could think about last night was that if those guys had wanted to come in and visit, they could open up this 5th wheel like a sardine can... couple of swipes with their big old claws and dinner would be served. So.... it is quite likely from now on , at least for awhile, we will be sleeping with a loaded rifle by the bed. This morning, Don went outside and sure enough, big old tracks all along the outside of the 5th wheel and around the driveway... Yup... living in Alaska can certainly bring excitement ... even when you don't necessarily want it.

Turns out the three bears had quite a night around here. Seems they played in a lot of peoples yards before arriving here.. and while they were in this yard, they managed to break off a pvc pipe from Bills Septic system, and bite a hole in another pipe. After being here for just a few minutes... they carried on across the road where some (fool) opened his door and let his little Yorkie run out and then shot at the bears. Well, needless to say, the dog is still missing, and there is a good possibility we have a wounded bear in the neighborhood now. Not a good situation. The bears are big.. brazen and bold. They are looking for whatever they can find to eat. They would prefer to eat the baby moose calves that are around the neighborhood and will more than likely get at least a few of them, but apparently they are killing dogs as well. Another place down the way lost their dog just this weekend. They are bad bears, and will probably wind up on the list to be destroyed... and that is sad... but once they start this kind of behavior, it is hard to break it. The fish and game guys are here investigating in the area, so time will tell. Not real sure I will sleep well tonight, knowing that when they walk past our trailer we are pretty much nose to nose.. in a tin can. Makes for a slightly high stress feeling...

Of course, they may come back tonight.. or they may have moved on to another neighborhood completely. Time will tell. In the meantime, won't be out walking alone, that's for sure...

So... things are not boring around here..that's for sure. We went down to Ninilchik on Friday night and met a gal and her husband for an evening of fun, food and drinks.. and stayed at their cabin overnight. It was wonderful.. because this is someone I met thru the "Flickr" photo website over 6 years ago.. Melissa and John Renner and we have had a great Internet connection all this time thru our love of photography. They live in Anchorage and have a cabin south of here in Ninilchik, and graciously invited us to spend the night and get to know each other... it was a good trip.

Our friend Melissa, with her buddy's .. The Time Bandit Boys .....from Deadliest Catch. Lucky Girl :)

Yesterday we took a drive up to Captain Cook State Park, north of Nikiski.. about 45 miles from here. It's a beautiful area .. one that 7 years ago we camped at for a couple of days. The weather was not great, windy, very cool.. and not really the kind of day you wanted to go hiking or beach combing, but while we were sitting overlooking Cook Inlet, a little Black Bear, probably last years cub.. came wandering by. Cute little guy, and the first bear I have been able to take a picture of. The weather hasn't been very nice for a good week now, but today it has broken up a bit and there is actually some sunshine.

The mouth of the Kenai River,.. as seen from the overlook in the town of Kenai.

As you can see.. he was pretty little.. but cute.

Captain Cook State Park.

 

It was a sad weekend here tho.. I am sure you read about the Soldotna Plane Crash that killed all 10 aboard. Coming on the heals of the San Fransico Crash, it makes one really question flying. My friend Melissa knew the pilot and our hearts go out to his family.. and to the family's of the 9 passengers killed.

Well, I guess that is it for another week. I don't have a clue what will be on the agenda next but whatever it is.. I am sure it will be exciting. Hope you are all well, and enjoying summer. Take care and until next time.. keep smiling.

Moose, Clams and Fish....

Well..... it has been about 2 weeks since we arrived and it has been a busy 2 weeks. Being away from here for 7 years has made us anxious and excited about getting right back into it all...... but....... it has changed. Just like everything else, and everywhere else .. it is different. Don't get me wrong, there are still lots of amazing things to see and do... but the growth of the area is pretty apparent in almost everything... from traffic, to new fishing and clamming laws.. lower limits and lots of new rules. The fishing is still great... people come from all over the world to fish the famous Russian and Kenai Rivers. The motor homes and 5th wheels are pouring in. The roads are packed full of tourists and locals all fighting for that best spot on the river.. the best spot to park their rig ( which usually means parking lot style camping.. side by side.. or even in the Fred Meyer parking lot ). Not much fun there, but hey, we don't have to do that so I am good with it....let them all cram into those gravel parking lots just so they can get to the river every day. We will come back to our quiet little private driveway where its just us and the little lake... the loons and even this little bull moose who stopped by for a visit. He even posed for me.. which was very appreciated.
Another thing we find it that the cost of everything has about doubled... the Russian river ferry was only $2.00 seven years ago .. now it is $10.25.. with an extra fee of $ 10 to park.. just so one can get on the other side of the river where apparently the fish only like to hang out. ( I know.. it is much more technical than that.. but you get my drift ). Every day of fishing the Russian river costs a minimum of $20.25, even before gas and its a 75 mile round trip to get there. And it is packed everyday. Crazy. We did get 9 reds out of the 2 days Don went, and they have helped the freezer and the appetite.

 

After dealing with the Russian River, we decided to try the Kasilof river. It is only a 15 minute run from here.. and much calmer and quieter than the other. It will get busier as more reds come in, but right now I don't even mind hanging out there. The parking is only $5 and you don't have to cross the river. We had a nice day there on Sunday, picnic, some sunshine and a bit of action.

Next up...... the reds will be in the Kenai River.. that is when it will get totally crazy around here... but we hope to be in on the whole thing.. lots of fish for the freezer and lots of BBQ's.
The thing I loved the most about being here before was the razor clamming. We had so much fun digging , and spent every low tide day on the beach at Deep Creek, Ninilchik. The Beach is still great, but again .. things have changed. There used to be so many clams , that the 60 a day per person limit.. just isn't possible anymore. More people on the beach, and a whole lot less clams. They just lowered the limit to 25 a day before we got there... and even that is hard to find. We tried going to Anchor Point and that was a bust as well.  They just aren't there any more. We did dig 3 tides at Deep Creek and combined ... came home with our 150 clams, but it is a slow start to the summer.

Don has booked a charter for end of July during a very low tide, to take a trip across Cook Inlet to a beach where the limit is "no limit" ... costs a bit, but guarantees us a years worth of clams in one day. ( Dang.... that is going to be a lot of cleaning )
The best part about the beach.. is the Eagles. I love to go to Deep Creek to watch the eagles. The charter boats all clean their catch and then haul the remains down onto the beach in totes. They dump it just below high tide and the eagles feast on the bounty. And wow... lots and lots of eagles. I have more fun taking pictures of them than looking for clam holes. Of course, I still enjoy that too. Here are a few of my favorite eagle shots......

There just isn't much more amazing than the eagles.. doesn't even matter if they are full grown mature... or not... they are beautiful. I've said this before , but in case I didn't let everyone know I intend to come back as one. For sure.
Tomorrow Don and his buddy Russ are heading out of Homer to go Halibut fishing. It will be a full day in the boat... they will be wet, cold and by the end of the day, very uncomfortable... but you can bet they are both smiling and ready... Halibut.... YUMMM. Wish them luck.
It has been a good two weeks, but also a tough 2 weeks. We miss the family. .. very much . They are all so far away and there isn't a day goes by that we don't think of them, miss them and love them. But we aren't here forever... but while we are here... we intend to have fun... and do everything we wanted to do.  I will check in again in a week or two and fill you all in on what is new then. Have a great week... a great summer and stay happy and smiling. See you all soon.

Watson Lake, Yukon to Soldotna, Alaska... we made it :)

The last long leg of our journey has come to a successful end in Soldotna Alaska. We are unhooked and settled at our good friend Bill's, parked in the same place in his driveway that we spent a good 6 weeks in 7 years ago when we visited Alaska. It is almost like coming home.... and believe me, after over 2 weeks on the road, I am ready to be settled in one place for awhile.
We left Watson Lake in the Yukon on Saturday June 15th, after spending a little time poking around the famous "Sign Post Forest" , where you can find a license plate, a road sign , a hand made note or any other form of identification, from anywhere in the world you can dream up... all former visitors travelling the Alaska highway.

 

 

We had fully intended to drive from Watson Lake to Whitehorse Yukon that day, distance was about right for a good days drive, I think approx. 300 miles and on roads like these, that was far enough. It is hard to travel at any speed, because it is constant bumps, ruts, pot holes and frost heaves all the way. However, the scenery was beautiful... with Teslin being the highlight of the day I think.

We stopped here for a lunch break , overlooking the Bridge at Teslin.

Typical Yukon Road.

Near Haines Junction

 

We arrived in Whitehorse in the late afternoon, but it seemed busy and dusty and after fueling up we decided to carry on and stay in Haines Junction, just another hour and a half away. We found a small Government Campsite at Pine Lake just outside Haines Junction and spent the night. WOW... Mosquito's. Worst yet. You couldn't even sit outside, or you would get eaten alive. It was an early to bed and early to rise kind of place. We left early, headed into Haines, hoping to fuel up, stop at a liquoir store and .. get some groceries. UMMMM.. well, it was.. first off Sunday. (easy to lose track of days while travelling)... second.. the only grocery store in town closed...apparently last year. And third.. the only fuel was a card lock place. OK... we did find a little place to fuel up, and a tiny little store that charged us $4.95 for a dozen eggs. Wow.

So... on to Kluane Lake. We had a very nice short day... less than 2 hours on the road. Camped at a campground we had loved when we were up before... Congdon Creek. Had a very relaxing afternoon, a nice BBQ for dinner  and a good  nights sleep.

 Next day.... destination, Tok Alaska... and the Sourdough Campground, home of the famous pancake toss.. ( which, incidentally, we won back in 2006) haha.  Anyhow, another long day. None of these days would really have been very long... IF... the roads were better, but... again, lots of rough road, construction and delays. It was a good day with lots to see... and when you are only able to travel at a crawl... you really get a chance to see.. :)

 

Here we are... !!!!!!

We had a great night at Tok, even tossed pancakes, but this time, we didn't win. However, still went for Reindeer Sausage and sourdough pancakes in the morning before heading out. Destination, Matanuska Glacier, (about one hour from Anchorage). The day was clear and hot, but started out pretty breezy. We travelled south thru Glenallen, and then west towards Anchorage. As the day progressed... the wind got worse and worse. We stopped at Matanuska intending to stay the night but it was so hot up there we changed our minds.... and headed on in to the palmer/Anchorage valley.

Lions Head, near Matanuska Glacier

Lunch stop at Eureka Summit

Mount Sanford and Mount Drum near Glenallan.

Matanuska Glacier.

The drive continued to be crazy... howling winds.. dust so bad that when we went thru Palmer we could barely see. We couldn't find a park to stay in, wound up on the freeway into Anchorage so decided to carry on thru ( at rush hour no less ) and stay at one of our favorite campsites, Bird Creek... just about 1/2 hr south of Anchorage. Well... well made it thru the city, (just barely) ... fought the wind and traffic along Turnagain Arm to the campground... only to find it CLOSED until August.

AAARRRRRGGGHHH!!!!!!

So we parked in a dusty gravel parking lot at a motel across the highway and crashed for the night. In the morning, we left bright and early and headed for our finale destination 3 hours away..... Soldotna, Alaska. The last day of driving was good, no unplanned delays... typical roads, but... we made it.

Turnagain Arm near Bird Creek

Turnagain Arm.

Johnson Pass, heading south to Soldotna

 

It is hard to believe that we are now... 3000 miles away from home. That is a long way !!! I love Alaska, but I already miss my girls and my Grandkids so much. I think a lot of it is the fact, that I know just exactly how far away we really are. But the summer is going to be full of new adventures, new places to explore, old places to discover again..along with all the great bonus's .. such as buckets full of razor clams, lots of salmon and halibut and all the wonders that Alaska has to offer..... 

So.. here we are, ready to begin.

 

 

The famous Kenai River

Thanks for traveling with us. I can hardly wait to start sharing pictures of fish, clams, and all the other amazing things we encounter while up here.

See ya all soon.