Kenai Peninsula
Welcome to the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska's playground. We discovered during our last trip that most of what we enjoyed doing was right here. After getting a new tire on the RV we left Anchorage, traveling SE on the Turnagain Arm along the Seward Highway. We stopped several times to scan the hillsides for sheep and goats, and the waters for whales as well. We spent our first week camped at Morgan's Landing, an Alaska DNR rustic campsite on the Kenai River just west of Sterling. Once you get through the Million Man March of Fisherman it isn't too hard to find. We had planned on staying at Bing's Landing, but the Swan Lake fire was putting out so much smoke that it became a non player rather quickly. Much like our State Forest Campgrounds back in Michigan these are sites with picnic table and firepit only. There are 2 central water spigots and vault toilets. The water spigots are pressurized and threaded. Cost is $15/night. Admittedly we haven't done much boondocking since entering the state, relaxing at full service parks for a nearly a week at 4 different locations. Morgan's Landing will at least give us the opportunity to cycle the solar system and battery bank a few times and get back to nature; do some campfire chillaxin. We did still experience a day or two of fire smoke depending on the winds. From here we could visit a good friend in Sterling and are within range of Fred Meyer or Walmart in Soldotna and Kenai if needed. The campground host told us of a 'brownie' (Griz) that had been hanging around so we got a container of bear spray and a bell for Roux's leash our first day in town.
Unofficial Campground Host
Fillin' them freezers
This has been a BOOM year for salmon fisherman in this area. The early sockeye run has been so dramatically improved that they have raised the limit in the Kenai and Russian Rivers twice now, from 3 to now allowing 9 salmon per day per angler. Further south in Resurrection Bay the limit has been increased to 12 salmon per day. This is due to an increase of nearly a hundred thousand fresh salmon over the Alaska Department of Fish n Game (ADFG) goals for sustenance. I have talked to both my cousin and a friend of ours here who have limited out in a very short time each and every day. Freezers are filling up! This won't last forever, but it sure is fun for those who are here. Barb really doesn't care for trout or salmon; our fishing efforts usually take us elsewhere, but we'll still get some on our charter in August. We'll get ours. We had also planned on doing some Razor Clam digging, but Alaska suspended their season this year along the east beaches of Cook Inlet, so I picked up about 5 pounds of frozen clams for the freezer, at least until we have a chance to get our own in Washington again.
One day we trekked north along the east coast of Cook Inlet near Nikiski and Salamatof Beach to do some rockhounding for agates on the beach. This is a great area due to the occasional eruptions of Mount Redoubt across the sound. Find all you want, the mountain will make more. All these agates are fairly 'new' in geological terms. They are not banded. The 'new' agates are amber and opaque in color, while the 'newest' agates are very nearly clear.
Interesting note: when heading west you pass by a Fred Meyer's Store in Soldotna. There is a free dump station and potable water fill on the SW part of the lot. Diesel here was $3.08. From here we ventured further south now along the east shore of Cook's Inlet. We spent a couple of nights at Ninilchik Deep Creek State Rec Area. Another ADNR primitive campground. Nice sites right on the beach with great views, a picnic table, firepit, and a vault toilet, $15/night. The water is by hand pump only so you might want to haul in your own water or you can get it about a mile north at Ninilchik View Campground which has pressurized spigots and a dump station as well. Another chance to cycle the solar/battery system. These sites fill very quickly during peak fishing seasons and holidays. We stayed here 6 nights, including the 4th of July holiday.
There are quite a few eagles here hanging out along the creek or on the cliffs just north of camp. They are here for the fish. You will see them every day. Fireworks are prohibited here, but the occasional person does ignite a few. It is regularly patrolled by State Park Rangers. There are a few small stores, charter offices, a fish market, and a gas station in town that will carry much of what you may need. They are very friendly folks.
There are quite a few eagles here hanging out along the creek or on the cliffs just north of camp. They are here for the fish. You will see them every day. Fireworks are prohibited here, but the occasional person does ignite a few. It is regularly patrolled by State Park Rangers. There are a few small stores, charter offices, a fish market, and a gas station in town that will carry much of what you may need. They are very friendly folks.
Deep Creek eagle
Ninilchik Beach sea otter
One of the most interesting things about Ninilchik is that although it is one of Alaska's most thriving fishing communities, both private and charter.....there is no harbor. They launch and retrieve their boats off the beach with the aid of very large tractors each and every day. Not a few boats either, several dozen charter craft and during salmon season the waiting lines are LONG.
Ninilchik Beach Boat Launch
Mount Redeoubt & Ninilchik Fishing boats returning
4th of July holiday was a fun filled, beach packed event with lots of camping, family cookouts, and one LONG sunset. Even though fireworks were illegal here, we kept Roux and Bones constant company. We were very pleasantly surprised to find no fireworks at all during the night and everyone rested comfortably.
In camp we dined on General Tso's Catfish, Reindeer Mac n Cheese, Hot Beef Sausage & Haricots Verts, Caribou Inuulitisivik, Catfish Tacos, and Cudighi Taco Bake Casserole among others.
Capicola, Ham, Pancetta, Genoa, Brie, Gouda, Crackers, MISO & Mayo/Soy Dipping Sauces
We finished these two weeks off utilizing solar everyday, but unfortunately the generator did come into play for either smoky or uncharacteristically warm weather to cool the RV down, more so at Morgan's Landing. The Swan Lake Fire continues, now over 89,000 acres destroyed. They're keeping it north of the Sterling Highway, but only 14% contained to date, giving everyone plenty of smoke to breathe. We're off to Homer now. We're only there for about 10 days, but the adventure begins to peak. We're camping on the beach; fishing, shopping, ferry rides to meet distant relatives, and even a charter flight to bear country. The adrenaline cranks up a bit now.
"I travel a lot; I hate having my life disrupted by routine"
Caskie Stinnett
WiFi courtesy of Verizon MiFi
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