2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (69)

07/19/2019 No Travel Day - Centennial Park

Start Location:

• Alaskan Adventure Charter RV Park
• 30950 Arc Loop Rd, Soldotna, AK 99669-9204
• (907) 398.1492

Start Time: N/A

Mileage:  54,374.5

Cost Per Night: $31.50 USD
Weather: 52 - 76 F Sunny

We actually got out at a decent a.m. time. We drove by Rotary Park, but never got any farther than the parking lot. The place was packed. We were downtrodden. Nevertheless, we tried Centennial Campground and Boat Launch.

Centennial Park is a bit of “wilderness in the city”. It is a very large wooded park with over a mile of frontage on the Kenai River, and is separated from the adjacent Regional Sports Complex by a steep wooded slope. The very first day parking lot was empty. We went down to check it out and found a great secluded spot (CS1). We quickly donned our waders and went fishing.

Fishing off the Kenai River was iconic. The sky was blue and the sun was up. Seagulls were squawking at us – telling us to catch something so they could scavenge the scrapes.

The foliage lining the banks were colorful and lush. In typical, Alaskan fashion, small private planes were crossing overhead on their way to new adventures. Two trout jumped out of the water very close to me in their pursuit of flies.

Although the salmon count is on the rise, we only witnessed one silvery prize reeled in. Although we were again fishless – it was a perfect day.

By noon we were starving. We lunched at Froso’s Family Dining again. This time our experience was not so pleasant.

Paul ordered the Cheese Enchiladas with French Fries because he is vegetarian. The waitress came back with the Enchiladas covered in Cheese Sauce chocked full of beef.

Very irritating. I had to eat my Captain’s Plate so it would not get cold while Paul waited for his Enchiladas to be redone.  Incredibly, the inside of his enchiladas were cold - ☹

Wildlife Spotted: Trout jumping out of the Kenai River.

Our Beautiful Fishing Spot (CS1) - Centennial Park

This Squirrel followed us as we returned to the Truck

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal

1. Combat Fishing / Swiftwater Park (68)
2. RV Trip Wizard / New Battery (67)
3. Alaskan Adventure Charter RV Park (66)
4. Social Security and Medicare (65)
5. Rainy Day in Soldotna (64)
6. Lone Moose RV Park, Soldotna, Alaska (63)
7. Travel Day - Back to Soldotna, Alaska (62)

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (68)

07/18/2019 No Travel Day - Combat Fishing / Swiftwater Park

Start Location:

• Alaskan Adventure Charter RV Park
• 30950 Arc Loop Rd, Soldotna, AK 99669-9204
• (907) 398.1492

Start Time: N/A

Mileage:  54,374.5

Cost Per Night: $31.50 USD
Weather: 52 - 76 F Sunny

We got going in the morning with the attention of heading out to go bank fishing for salmon. I checked the computer to see the progress of our amazon delivery for our new Garmin RV 770. It was scheduled for delivery tomorrow. We were shocked to learn that it had arrived at the Soldotna Post Office, but they were sending it back as un-deliverable.

I called the only number listed for the Soldotna Post Office. After answering a bunch of electronic questions, the machine placed me on hold. One hour and fifteen minutes later, representative Cheryl came on the line. She asked a bunch of questions, then instructed me to call the local post office. She placed me on hold for ten minutes while she searched for that phone number.

Meanwhile, the ‘Beast’ was experiencing difficulties with the toilet. Paul and I both worked on it most the morning. I finally got to speak to Matthew from the Soldotna Post Office. He explained that if your name is not registered at the post office as belonging to an address, they will not deliver. However, he did find the package and placed it in ‘General Delivery’ for us to pick. It took another half an hour before we had the toilet cleaned up and flushing correctly.

Needless to say, by this time, our morning fishing had escaped us. We picked up the Garmin with no further issues. In fact, the Post Office staff were very well-organized.

Even though it was now the afternoon, we had to get out on the Kenai to try our hand at bank fishing for salmon. Swiftwater Park snakes through the forest that borders the banks of the Kenai River. It was not too crowded. However, the water conditions continue to be high and turbid with woody debris floating down river.

Paul got real brave quickly and was fishing with the river chest high. I was much more conservative – the water was only thigh high on me. I believe we both did well picking up this fishing style’s technique. However, no one was catching anything – us included. Nevertheless, it was a beautiful tranquil day by the swift Kenai river.

Wildlife Spotted: Beautiful Soaring Bald Eagle; I swear a salmon stuck his head out of the water to sneer at me. 

Fish On - However, It Got Away - Boat Launch at Swiftwater Park

Our Spot Fishing by the Boat Launch at Swiftwater Park, Soldotna, Alaska

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal

1. RV Trip Wizard / New Battery (67)
2. Alaskan Adventure Charter RV Park (66)
3. Social Security and Medicare (65)
4. Rainy Day in Soldotna (64)
5. Lone Moose RV Park, Soldotna, Alaska (63)
6. Travel Day - Back to Soldotna, Alaska (62)
7. Relaxing in Ninilchik (61)