2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (67)

07/17/2019 No Travel Day - RV Trip Wizard / New Battery

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: 49 - 72 F Sunny

Spent most of the day figuring out the last half of our adventure. We hope to get to Moses’ place by the middle of August. We plan on staying for a week.

I enrolled in that RV Trip Wizard app. It cost $39 per year. However, we just love the radius feature which shows us what is available in our 200 – 300 mile per day limit.

Paul finally gave up recharging the Tow Vehicle battery and went down to NAPA to buy another one.

Wildlife Spotted: Lots of little birds 

The Only RV at the Alaskan Adventure Charter RV Park

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal

1. Alaskan Adventure Charter RV Park (66)
2. Social Security and Medicare (65)
3. Rainy Day in Soldotna (64)
4. Lone Moose RV Park, Soldotna, Alaska (63)
5. Travel Day - Back to Soldotna, Alaska (62)
6. Relaxing in Ninilchik (61)
7. Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord Chapel (60)

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (66)

07/16/2019 No Travel Day - Alaskan Adventure Charter RV Park, Soldotna, Alaska

Start Location:

• Lone Moose Lodge and RV Park
• 47696 Funny River Rd, Soldotna, AK 99669
• (409) 781-3415

Start Time:10:45 a.m.

Mileage:  54,366.4

End Location:

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

End Time: 12:50 p.m.

Mileage:  54,374.5

Cost Per Night: $31.50 USD
Weather: 50 - 66 F Rainy

Today we moved just about five miles from Lone Moose RV Park to Alaskan Adventure Charter RV Park. Mike’s park is more rustic and very much more secluded. Unfortunately, with that solitude came lots of mosquitoes. However, we have learned a lot about mosquitoes and how to avoid injury . . . so I think we will be fine.

In between the move, Paul and I did our laundry at the Wash & Dry in Soldotna. It is a big building with lots of equipment. They also offer showers and pinball machines for entertainment. It supplied a fascinating group of people to watch.

The first thing I noticed about this new RV park location was the birds. There are lots of them foraging for food. Next is the fact that we were the only RV here. The grounds are lined with trees – just a beautiful place to camp. 

Mike came over for Taco Tuesday. Dinner was a success – Good food and great company. It was fun entertaining in the ‘Beast’ again.

Wildlife Spotted: Moose on the side of the road; lots of little birds

Watching the Sons of Anarchy in the Rain

Soldotna Wash & Dry

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal

1. Social Security and Medicare (65)
2. Rainy Day in Soldotna (64)
3. Lone Moose RV Park, Soldotna, Alaska (63)
4. Travel Day - Back to Soldotna, Alaska (62)
5. Relaxing in Ninilchik (61)
6. Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord Chapel (60)
7. Rainbow Tour to Seldovia (59)

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (65)

07/15/2019 No Travel Day - Social Security and Medicare

Start Location:

• Lone Moose Lodge and RV Park
• 47696 Funny River Rd, Soldotna, AK 99669
• (409) 781-3415

Start Time:N/A

Mileage:  54,366.4

Cost Per Night: $51.50 USD
Weather: 50 - 65 F Overcast

Not so rainy today. This will be our last day at the Lone Moose RV Park. We are going to Mike’s Hopley’s (Owner and Operator of Alaskan Adventure Charters) small RV Park in Soldotna tomorrow.

We pre-ran the move. It is only five miles from where we are. It is very secluded and nice.

Then we spent the rest of the day taking care of my Social Security and Medicare problems.

First, I had to go to the library to print out all the documents from my thumb drive. Then off to the Post Office to mail it off.

After a trip to Fred Meyer for groceries, the day was pretty much done. (Unbelievably, they allowed us to use our $20.00 off coupon one more time – but then confiscated it.) We got gas for the Tow Truck – after applying our Reward Points, it cost $2.98 per gallon.

We did check out Rotary Park – but it was packed again. I guess we are just not made for ‘combat fishing.’

Wildlife Spotted: A Bald Eagle flew closely over the ‘Beast’ with a small rodent in his talons.

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal

1. Rainy Day in Soldotna (64)
2. Lone Moose RV Park, Soldotna, Alaska (63)
3. Travel Day - Back to Soldotna, Alaska (62)
4. Relaxing in Ninilchik (61)
5. Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord Chapel (60)
6. Rainbow Tour to Seldovia (59)
7. Taco Tuesday on Monday (58)

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (64)

07/14/2019 No Travel Day - Rainy Day in Soldotna

Start Location:

• Lone Moose Lodge and RV Park
• 47696 Funny River Rd, Soldotna, AK 99669
• (409) 781-3415

Start Time:N/A

Mileage:  54,366.4

Cost Per Night: $51.50 USD
Weather: 51 - 66 F Raining

Today was the first really rainy day we experience in Alaska. The morning flew by as we listened to the raindrops drumming atop the ‘Beast’s’ roof.

We decided to spend this damp time inside the motorhome catching up on paperwork. I had to make sure all the bills were paid. I had forgotten about the water bill and it was two months behind; very simple to rectify with instant online payment options.

I also had to put together paperwork for the Social Security Office. They are scheduled to start charging me the maximum amount for coverage based on 2018 income. Since Paul and I have both retired, this is not longer correct. A super friendly SS Worker, Ben took care of the same problem for Paul in May. This small change saves us $400 per month per person!

Paul spoke to a *Big Foot Representative. Not only did he return our call on a Sunday – he walked Paul through the process so he can automatically level the ‘Beast’ now. Paul also weeded through our outdated paperwork and books.

Not a lot going on today, but very relaxing.  

Wildlife Spotted: Nada

*Big Foot is our RV Leveling System

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal

1. Lone Moose RV Park, Soldotna, Alaska (63)
2. Travel Day - Back to Soldotna, Alaska (62)
3. Relaxing in Ninilchik (61)
4. Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord Chapel (60)
5. Rainbow Tour to Seldovia (59)
6. Taco Tuesday on Monday (58)
7. Walmart & Fred Meyer (57)

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (63)

07/13/2019 No Travel Day - Lone Moose RV Park, Soldotna, Alaska

Start Location:

• Lone Moose Lodge and RV Park
• 47696 Funny River Rd, Soldotna, AK 99669
• (409) 781-3415

Start Time:N/A

Mileage:  54,366.4

Cost Per Night: $51.50 USD
Weather: 51 - 66 F Cloudy

Well, we procrastinated long enough. The salmon are starting to run. Therefore, we had better learn how to fish for salmon off the bank of the Kenai. Luckily, we made friends with our camping neighbors, Robert and Noel. Robert gave us a lesson and directed us to a calmer spot (Rotary Park) to get started.

Paul and I pre-ran the trip. It is very close to Lone Moose. We bought a season parking pass and picked up a ‘stringer’. We also tried on our waders – yup they still fit.

As I was updating my Journal, I noticed a moose run right through the park and in front of the ‘Beast’ before vanishing into the woods.   What a thrill that was!

Note to Self: Always shower with Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Lavender Liquid Soap – I used a different soap and got three mosquito bites!!!

Fishing Update: Paul and I had the best of intentions. We put on our waders and headed to Rotary Park. We could tell from the cars in the parking lot that the place was packed. We decided to walk down (in our waders no less) to the fishing bank.

Just as we thought – no room for rookies like us. We really do not do well with crowds. We quickly decided we would call it a day. Besides, we forgot half our equipment . . . fish club, filleting knife, etcetera. Lesson learned – we now have a fishing packing list. All is well that ends well.

Wildlife Spotted: Moose up close.

Our Spot - #2, at the Lone Moose RV Park

Path to the Kenai River from Lone Moose

Calmer Bank Fishing at Rotary Park

Paul Working on Our Fishing Gear

Dark Skies

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal

1. Travel Day - Back to Soldotna, Alaska (62)
2. Relaxing in Ninilchik (61)
3. Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord Chapel (60)
4. Rainbow Tour to Seldovia (59)
5. Taco Tuesday on Monday (58)
6. Walmart & Fred Meyer (57)
7. Paul - King Salmon Fishing, Soldotna (56)

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (62)

07/12/2019 Travel Day - Back to Soldotna, Alaska

Start Location:

• Volcano View RV Resort
• 16867 Sterling Hwy, Ninilchik, Alaska 99639
• 907.567-3220

Start Time: 11:35 a.m.

Mileage:  54,324

Cost Per Night: $37.50 USD
Weather: 51 - 59 F Overcast

End Location:

• Lone Moose Lodge and RV Park
• 47696 Funny River Rd, Soldotna, AK 99669
• (409) 781-3415

End Time: 12:35 p.m.

Mileage:  54,366.4

Cost Per Night: $51.50 USD
Weather: 50 - 67 F Cloudy

It was time to say goodbye to Lyndia. Our stay at the Ninilchik Volcano View RV Park was stress-free. We were probably a tad to0 laid back, but it was the perfect spot to wait out the salmon. Paul learned from the news that the warm weather is keeping them away.

Our one-hour trip back down to Soldotna was uneventful. We set-up camp quickly. Then we went to Louie's Steak & Seafood for lunch. Paul had his usual Grilled Cheese and I enjoyed a generous portion of homemade Spaghetti with Garlic Toast. To start, we share a House Salad. Paul complained that his fries were cold. Our waitress Hannah returned with a huge plate of steaming hot fresh fries . . . now that is service.

Then we stopped by Wal-Mart to return the Blu Ray Player. Their customer service staff were very efficient. The refund went off without a hitch.

Lastly, we stocked up on groceries at the Fred Meyer. We were able to use our $20.00 off coupon one last time.

Wildlife Spotted: Only the Bald Eagles at the Volcano View RV Park

Our Spot (21) Looks So Empty

We Will Miss this Beautiful View of the Cook Inlet

Scenery as We Wait at a Construction Delay

Homemade Spaghetti at Louie's Steak & Seafood

Thanks Fred Meyer for Thinking About the Little Ones

Alaska – Land of the Dirty Cars and Cracked Windshields

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal

1. Relaxing in Ninilchik (61)
2. Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord Chapel (60)
3. Rainbow Tour to Seldovia (59)
4. Taco Tuesday on Monday (58)
5. Walmart & Fred Meyer (57)
6. Paul - King Salmon Fishing, Soldotna (56)
7. Us-King Salmon Fishing, Soldotna (55)

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (61)

07/11/2019 No Travel Day - Relaxing in Ninilchik

Start Location:

• Volcano View RV Resort
• 16867 Sterling Hwy, Ninilchik, Alaska 99639
• 907.567-3220

Start Time: N/A

Mileage:  54,324

Cost Per Night: $37.50 USD
Weather: 53 - 64 F Cloudy

Our last day in Paradise. The Volcano View RV Park in Ninilchik is a definite ‘must see.’ We have been here two weeks and are actually discussing the possibility of staying another week.

The view from the spots on the ‘Bluff’ are priceless. Our camp host Lyndia is very helpful and kind. The RV Park is centrally located.

Their laundry facilities are convenient, can handle a large load, and reasonably priced.

Further, for most of our stay we were alone (just the way we like it). The toilet facilities are the only thing lacking. However, that small negative does not come near all the park’s positives.

Of course the animals did not enjoy the bird feeder until this last evening. However, it was a joy watching them. The Magpies ganged up on the lone squirrel, but the squirrel was still able to get his fill.

Wild Life Spotted: Bald Eagles; Magpies; Squirrel

View from Volcano View RV Park - Ninilchik, Alaska

This Little Squirrel Found the Bird Feeder

The Magpies Loved the Bird Feeder as Well 

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal

1. Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord Chapel (60)
2. Rainbow Tour to Seldovia (59)
3. Taco Tuesday on Monday (58)
4. Walmart & Fred Meyer (57)
5. Paul - King Salmon Fishing, Soldotna (56)
6. Us-King Salmon Fishing, Soldotna (55)
7. Happy 4th of July, Ninilchik (54)