Sunday, July 7, 2019

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (57)

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (57)

07/07/2019  No Travel Day - Walmart & Fred Meyer


Start Location:
Start Time: N/A
Mileage:  54,324
Cost Per Night: $37.50 USD
Weather: 56 - 74 F Sunny

Beautify Alaska
Beautify Alaska
After hitting the road before 4:30 a.m. two mornings in a row; Paul decide we needed a day of sleeping in. After a late breakfast, we drove back down to Soldotna to shop the Fred Meyer. We found all the groceries we needed, but they were out of Blue Ray Players.

So off we went to WalMart. We were tired of the skipping our old system produced and hope to fix the issue with a purchase of their ‘Top of the Line’ LG.

Unfortunately, it did not do the trick. After, a process of elimination, Paul discovered our ROKU Speakers were the culprit. We will have to bring our recent purchase back for a refund.

As we were watching our now well-functioning television; Paul jumped up quickly. His eagle eyes spotted out new neighbor (a family in a rented RV) about to unplug our hook-ups! He was of the belief that our utility pole belonged to his site.

I will never understand it – why not knock on our door before unplugging us? After a brief argument, Paul prevailed. Sadly, the neighbor did not have a long enough hose to hook up his water. They left in the morning.

Tip: If you are going to rent a Recreational Vehicle, please learn camping etiquette. (Several fellow campers have ignored out boundaries by walking through and/or using our space. Even had a child who would stand right by our steps to look inside our RV – parents of course said nothing.)

Wildlife Spotted: Eagles and other birds only 


Landscape off the 1 between Ninilchik and Soldotna, Alaska
Landscape off the 1 between Ninilchik and Soldotna, Alaska

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal

Saturday, July 6, 2019

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (56)

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (56)

07/06/2019  No Travel Day - King Salmon Fishing, Soldotna


Start Location:
Start Time: N/A
Mileage:  54,324
Cost Per Night: $37.50 USD
Weather: 56 - 74 F Sunny

Paul left early (before 4:00 a.m.) for day two of his King Salmon adventure with Captain Mike Hopley. Almost immediately, I regretted staying back to get the chores done. Yet, we have been on the road for almost two months and the ‘Beast’ had not been given a thorough cleaning that entire time. Further, we have not had a moment apart, so it was probably a good idea to let Paul have his own escapade. (Update – the entire boat got skunked – no fish)

It only took about four hours to deep clean the inside of the RV. I started at 6:30 a.m. then realized to be quiet as others might still be sleeping. Two loads of laundry were also done.

It was another beautiful day on the Bluff. The weather here has been perfect, and we have not had to break out our heavy jackets. In fact, Alaska hit record-breaking temperatures on Independence Day, shattering the previous heat record by five degrees. Three other Alaska locations, Kenai, Palmer and King Salmon, set or tied all-time high temperature records on Thursday.

The Swan Lake Fire, which was started by lightning on June 5th, 2019 in the USFW Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, is still burning making for some spectacular dawns. Currently, 92,657 Acres have burned and the Percent of Perimeter Contained is a mere 14%. Officials stated they are going to let the fire take its natural course but will work to save structures.

Paul came home happy but salmon-less. This time no one on the boat succeeded. Paul stated that they only witnessed one fish being reeled in! However, Paul did see four Moose; one with a calf on his morning drive!

Wildlife Spotted: Bald Eagles; Magpies; Seagulls. Paul saw four moose and a calf.


This Red Sun Greeted Me as I started Chores at 6:30 a.m. in Ninilchik, Alaska
This Red Sun Greeted Me as I started Chores at 6:30 a.m.

Never Tire of these Beautiful Birds - Bald Eagle
Never Tire of these Beautiful Birds - Bald Eagle


2019 Alaska Vacation Journal

Friday, July 5, 2019

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (55)

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (55)

07/05/2019  No Travel Day - King Salmon Fishing, Soldotna


Start Location:
Start Time: N/A
Mileage:  54,324
Cost Per Night: $37.50 USD
Weather: 56 - 74 F Sunny

We were on the road at 4:30 a.m. Captain Mike Hopley, Owner and Operator of Alaskan Adventure Charters. (As an early bird bonus, we observed a moose as he just crossed the road.)

John Bouslog’s King Salmon
John Bouslog’s King Salmon
The boat hit the Kenai River water a bit before 6:00 a.m. There were five of us in the boat (Captain Mike, Deborah and John). Within thirty minutes, John brought up a twenty plus pound King Salmon.

Paul and I both thought, “awesome, we will get our limit (of one each) quickly.” Wrong. It was very quiet on the river for the rest of the day. Of all the boats fishing, we only witnessed three more fish reeled in.

While it was disappointing not to bring home some King Salmon meat, the day was definitely a pleasure. Our boat mates were awesome; friendly, fun and helpful. The weather was perfect. Further we observed plenty of wildlife: a family of ducks; a seal; seagulls; bald eagles; terns.  Mike even pointed out an Eagle's Nest high in a tree.

We called it quits at 2:00 p.m. Paul took me to a restaurant recommended to us by Mike, Deborah and John. Located in Soldotna, off the Kenai Spur Road, Froso's Family Dining offers a wide variety of foods: Greek Food, Steak, Seafood, Mexican Food, Italian Food, Gourmet Pizzas, and much more!

Our waitress, Johna (spelled phonetically) was quick, efficient, and very friendly. Paul thought his grilled cheese sandwich was a bit burned. However, I bought the Captain’s Plate which was awesome and plentiful. I especially enjoyed the side of spaghetti that accompanied the assortment of fried seafood.

Wildlife Spotted: Bald Eagles; seal; ducks; seagulls; terns; moose

Vista At 3:30 A.M. Volcano View RV Park
Vista At 3:30 A.M. Volcano View RV Park

Red Sun on Our Drive to Soldotna for Salmon Fishing
Red Sun on Our Drive to Soldotna for Salmon Fishing

Captain Mike, Deborah And John – Boat Mates
Captain Mike, Deborah And John – Boat Mates

Fishing for King Salmon on The Kenai River
Fishing for King Salmon on The Kenai River

Paul, The Happy Fisherman
Paul, The Happy Fisherman

Don’t I Look Happy!!!
Don’t I Look Happy!!!

Loved Watching This Family of Ducks
Loved Watching This Family of Ducks

Paul Watching John’s King Salmon Being Filleted
Paul Watching John’s King Salmon Being Filleted

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal

Thursday, July 4, 2019

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (54)

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (54)

07/04/2019  No Travel Day - Happy 4th of July, Ninilchik

Start Location:
Start Time: N/A
Mileage:  54,324
Cost Per Night: $37.50 USD
Weather: 56 - 68 F Sunny

 Immature Bald Eagles have white mottling on the underwings and on the tail

Happy 4th of July. The Alaska State Fire Marshall's office suspended the sale and use of fireworks throughout much of the state due to hot, dry weather and "high to very high fire danger." Not sure how to do fireworks anyway since the sun never goes down this time of the year.

Still, another perfect day in paradise. The weather is very nice and there is no wind today. The sky is clear of smoke so that the view of Mountain Redoubt is again pristine.

Did you know that Redoubt is one of the most dangerous volcanoes in Alaska and part of the Aleutian Range?

The owner of the RV Park informed us that we could buy our King Salmon Stamp at the General Store in Ninilchik. We went into town and put down our $15.00 each for a day license in preparation for our Kenai River Salmon Fishing trip tomorrow.

Surprisingly, Ninilchik was deserted. Paul and I were flabbergasted because we thought the holiday coupled with the excellent climate, would have brought out droves of people. The street was empty. Mayhap they are all at the Mount Marathon in Seward.

I watched the eagles all day while catching up on my blogging. Took a good photo of a Juvenile Bald Eagle sitting on the treetop near the RV. Immature Bald Eagles have white mottling on the underwings and on the tail as well, but it's a dirtier shade and doesn't gleam like the Goldens' in flight.

Wildlife Spotted: Bald Eagles; magpies


The bald eagle is the national bird of the United States of America and appears on most official seals of the U.S. government, including the presidential seal.)

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal

Wednesday, July 3, 2019

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (53)

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (53)

07/03/2019  No Travel Day - Cook Inlet Low Tide

Start Location:
Start Time: N/A
Mileage:  54,324
Cost Per Night: $37.50 USD
Weather: 56 - 68 F Sunny

The sky is very clear this morning; the fire smoke had dissolved nicely. It was super nice have that unobstructed view of Mount Redoubt again. Redoubt is an active stratovolcano in the largely volcanic Aleutian Range.

Low tide was at 10:00 a.m. this morning. In a nutshell, tides are the rising and falling of water levels in relation to the land around it. Tides are the result of the moon’s gravitational pull on the Earth.

We took a walk on the beach (Cook Inlet). The beach was calm because the inlet was closed to charter guides. There really were not any tide pools; however, we did see some sea life – Star Fish, Mussels, Crabs . . . We also found a ton of squawking Seagulls and Bald Eagles searching for fish carcasses.

Today was RV ‘dump day’ again. It takes less than a half hour, so it is not too bad. We spent the rest of the day just relaxing and enjoying the quiet. (The two Asian families with the three noisy nosey boys left earlier in the morning).

Wildlife Spotted: Eagles; Sea Gulls; Dead Fish

Photos from Today’s Walk: 














2019 Alaska Vacation Journal

Tuesday, July 2, 2019

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (52)

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (52)

07/02/2019  No Travel Day - Recuperating / Groceries

Start Location:
Start Time: N/A
Mileage:  54,324
Cost Per Night: $37.50 USD
Weather: 54 - 65 F Sunny

Paul and I are both tired and sore from Halibut Fishing. We drove into Homer to go shopping at the Safeway. It was ‘Senior Day so the place was packed. We were supposed to get a 10% discount; unfortunately, they did not tell us until after we paid. It would have saved us about $6.60 – oh well. (Safeway is super expensive! Missing our Fred Meyer.)

Keen Kow in Ninilchik, Alaska
We had lunch at the Keen Kow in Ninilchik.

“Keen Kow Thai Food is a restaurant in Ninilchik, AK. We serve the most authentic and least expensive Thai food on the Kenai Peninsula.” I loved it – sadly it upset Paul’s tummy.

The eagles were gone all morning – it was 4:30 p.m. before two of them flew by. Not sure why they are scarce today.

The ‘Beast’ smelled of beans all day as we observed Taco Tuesday.

We did some planning today – salmon fishing on Friday and a Rainbow Wildlife Cruise to Seldovia next week.

Wildlife Spotted: A big eagle in the water in Homer.

Monday, July 1, 2019

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (51)

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (51)

07/01/2019  No Travel Day - Halibut Fishing Trip

Start Location:
Start Time: N/A
Mileage:  54,324
Cost Per Night: $37.50 USD
Weather: 54 - 65 F Sunny

Got up early to prepare for our Halibut Fishing Trip with Captain Mike Hopley, owner and operator of Alaskan Adventure Charters. Glen was our deck hand. Mike was recommended to us by our friends, Sandy and Dave French.

Mike uses his 48 years of fishing experience, knowledge of the local area, and attention to fine detail to make your Alaskan fishing vacation a dream come true. 

He and Glen lived up to their hype.

Our boat was pushed into the Cook Inlet at 9:00 a.m. We were fishing with Wally and son Anthony; and friends David and Phil. The first area we dropped anchor did not have any fish biting. Therefore, we took the boat about a half an hour west.

We fished there a bit. Then suddenly, the guys were bringing up halibut, left and right. I felt a couple of nibbles but did not catch anything. Before too long, Captain Mike informed the group that we were just one halibut from our limit.

Only Paul and I had our poles in the ocean. Then Paul had ‘fish on.’ I was happily watching Paul fight his fish; when I felt a huge tug on my pole . . . . I waited just a second then reeled in a tad. That did the trick because that halibut was good and hooked.

Captain Mike observed me struggling to wind in the line. He quickly hooked the harness on me so I could use my back as well to reel. We were down about a 180 feet. It was super hard for me to get that twenty-pound fish to the boat but I did it.


I literally waited until the very last moment to hook my halibut – what a fun fishing trip. Mike and Glenn were wonderful. After Captain Mike filleted our three fish, we harvested 27.6 pounds of halibut.

Paul barbecued a piece of halibut for my dinner – it was delicious.

Wildlife Spotted: Sea Gulls; Dog Fish; Halibut; a Dall's porpoise feeding, Chicken with her chicks at the fillet station.


Beautiful Sunny Day – Halibut Fishing Ninilchik, Alaska
Beautiful Sunny Day

Paul has been looking forward to this trip for awhile
Paul has been looking forward to this trip for awhile

Rack witnesses a successful excursion
Rack witnesses a successful excursion

Red Arrows indicate our big fish
Red Arrows indicate our big fish

Paul helped Captain Mike fillet our catch
Paul helped Captain Mike fillet our catch

Black Chicken with her babies
Black Chicken with her babies

A little brown sugar, garlic and soy – Yummy Halibut
A little brown sugar, garlic and soy – Yummy Halibut