'
Bull Moose
Ninilchic River
Point at Capt Cook Park
Petroleum Plant
Dipping Salmon at Kenai Harbor
July 23, 2010. We had a pretty laid back day today so we drove up to the town of Kenai and from there we kept driving straight through town to a little town called Nikiski. It was pretty remote and looking at the map it appeared the road ended at the Cook Inlet area which I thought would be a big panoramic view of the ocean. We kept driving out of Nikiski and the road just literally ended. There was nothing at the end other than a forest of trees and a sign saying 'Road Ends'. We turned around and headed back a short distance and there was a sign pointing into the forest area saying 'Captain Cook State Recreation Area'. We turned onto a gravel road and headed in the direction the sign indicated and ended up at the end of this road and there was a nice little park area overlooking the ocean. It was quite pretty there and there was a guy out with his dogs that we talked to for awhile. He was from New Mexico and had been to Alaska before. He knew quite a lot about the area and was interesting to talk with. We came back to the main road and drove 5 miles or so and we both yelled at the same time that there was a moose off the side eating in the bog area. The tress were blocking our view so we turned around and came back to see him. He was HUGE and was a bull moose with antlers that were very large. We took several pictures which didn't seem to show his best side but he was within a half block from our car and we could really see him up close. This is the first bull moose we have seen and they are quite impressive. I actually got out of the car and took a few pictures and he became interested in me enough that I got back in the car. I decided that I did not want to get to know him personally. We took the rest of the pictures from the car.
We drove back to Nikiski where they have two huge Petroleum Plants and less than a mile down the road a gas station selling regular for $3.89 a gal. I just can't seem to grasp the concept. Alaska where there is oil and refineries everywhere and the price of gas is so high. I also do not understand why they crab and lobster right here where we are and the price is higher than we pay in Illinois!! I guess they know we are from 'outside' and come to Alaska with our pockets bulging!! LOOK AGAIN!(I have been dying to use that 'outside' term as that is what the Alaskans call anyone that is not from Alaska--A little triva for today). They refer to an Alaskan or Yukon old-timer as Sourdough and a Cheechako describes a newcomer generally someone who has not yet spent a winter in Alaska. OK! enough Trivia, however I have more.
When we came back to Kenai we took a road out of town going south and came
to the harbor area. We pulled in and a guy and gal were just walking onto the roadway so we stopped to talk to them. They had a bucket of 'Reds' and picked one out and showed us. They had been down on the beach dipping salmon. He said they were really running today and looking out on the water it was filled with boats using dip nets to dip the reds. The shoreline was also filled with people in chest waders out in the ocean dipping as well. There was a telescope on a deck area up from the ocean that you could 'zero' in on the boats and I could not believe how small the boats were --hardly larger than a john boat. In these small boats would be 2-4 people all using a dip net to get their catch for the day. Only residents of Alaska are allowed to dip for fish. They are allowed 10 fish per family member, per day. Later we were in the sports/hardware store and I saw recipes for canning and smoking salmon so I assume they prepare them in a variety of ways for winter eating. I love Salmon but I'm wondering how many days in a row I could eat it for a whole winter.
When we came back to Kenai we took a road out of town going south and came
to the harbor area. We pulled in and a guy and gal were just walking onto the roadway so we stopped to talk to them. They had a bucket of 'Reds' and picked one out and showed us. They had been down on the beach dipping salmon. He said they were really running today and looking out on the water it was filled with boats using dip nets to dip the reds. The shoreline was also filled with people in chest waders out in the ocean dipping as well. There was a telescope on a deck area up from the ocean that you could 'zero' in on the boats and I could not believe how small the boats were --hardly larger than a john boat. In these small boats would be 2-4 people all using a dip net to get their catch for the day. Only residents of Alaska are allowed to dip for fish. They are allowed 10 fish per family member, per day. Later we were in the sports/hardware store and I saw recipes for canning and smoking salmon so I assume they prepare them in a variety of ways for winter eating. I love Salmon but I'm wondering how many days in a row I could eat it for a whole winter.
As we were driving along today Larry said he wondered what they do for
bathroom facilities on the Salmon Charter that we are taking tomorrow. I
had a moment of panic as I had not thought of that. Our charter leaves at
noon and is a seven hour charter. HOW does ANYONE wait seven hours for a
bathroom break??? Gosh, Larry and I stop every hour on the hour, when we
are driving, for a bathroom break! Of course we probably drink too much
coffee, soda, water and BEER! Let me say that I will drink nothing but a
sip of water now and then tomorrow. I WAS curious as the boat we go out in
is like a very large row boat and I know there is no concealing area for a
bathroom! When we stopped at the office tonight to pick up our information
for tomorrow, I asked! The gal told us there was an area along the shore
that had a port-a-potty that they COULD stop at if need be!@# ARE YOU
JOKING???? AND I found I am the only female as only four people go out on
each charter and the other two are men. OH WELL!
bathroom facilities on the Salmon Charter that we are taking tomorrow. I
had a moment of panic as I had not thought of that. Our charter leaves at
noon and is a seven hour charter. HOW does ANYONE wait seven hours for a
bathroom break??? Gosh, Larry and I stop every hour on the hour, when we
are driving, for a bathroom break! Of course we probably drink too much
coffee, soda, water and BEER! Let me say that I will drink nothing but a
sip of water now and then tomorrow. I WAS curious as the boat we go out in
is like a very large row boat and I know there is no concealing area for a
bathroom! When we stopped at the office tonight to pick up our information
for tomorrow, I asked! The gal told us there was an area along the shore
that had a port-a-potty that they COULD stop at if need be!@# ARE YOU
JOKING???? AND I found I am the only female as only four people go out on
each charter and the other two are men. OH WELL!
The weather forecast for tomorrow is-- what else --RAIN and mid 50's. I
will probably have every item I brought with me on my body to stay warm.
Today it was also cool and windy but the sun did peak out off and on all day but felt plenty chilling each time we got out of the car.
will probably have every item I brought with me on my body to stay warm.
Today it was also cool and windy but the sun did peak out off and on all day but felt plenty chilling each time we got out of the car.
Jim, our neighbor next to us here in the campground, came over tonight to
ask Larry if he thought they would have time to fish together before we
leave. He and Jim have talked about going together since we've been here.
We had planned to leave on Sunday but I told Larry I'd really like for him
to get a chance to fish some of the rivers here before we leave. I suggested we stay another day so he can fish with Jim at least a day. I love to fish but am so cheap I do not want to spend more money for myself a fishing license. I know Larry would enjoy it more than I. On our charter tomorrow we are each allowed only two King Salmon. We spent $350 for the charter and $60 for our ONE day fishing license. I figuring if we catch Salmon, they better have 14K gold fins!! We met the guy and his wife parked on the other side of us, Craig and Marylou, a couple of days ago. Craig had been on a Halibut charter the day before. He caught three Halibut and he said he figured they cost him about $50 a pound! We all laughed but the fact is--NOTHING IN ALASKA IS CHEAP!
ask Larry if he thought they would have time to fish together before we
leave. He and Jim have talked about going together since we've been here.
We had planned to leave on Sunday but I told Larry I'd really like for him
to get a chance to fish some of the rivers here before we leave. I suggested we stay another day so he can fish with Jim at least a day. I love to fish but am so cheap I do not want to spend more money for myself a fishing license. I know Larry would enjoy it more than I. On our charter tomorrow we are each allowed only two King Salmon. We spent $350 for the charter and $60 for our ONE day fishing license. I figuring if we catch Salmon, they better have 14K gold fins!! We met the guy and his wife parked on the other side of us, Craig and Marylou, a couple of days ago. Craig had been on a Halibut charter the day before. He caught three Halibut and he said he figured they cost him about $50 a pound! We all laughed but the fact is--NOTHING IN ALASKA IS CHEAP!
Speaking of the prices in Alaska--We have only eat about 6 meals out since
we left home because of the prices. This morning we decided to treat ourselves so on our way to Kenai, we stopped at a nice 'family' restaurant for breakfast. We had 2 eggs, 1 sausage, hash browns and biscuits and gravy--which I might add was like a special on the menu. The gravy was horrible and we tried to figure out what it was made with as it had a strange flavor. The sausage was not editable--I'm imagining it was raindeer meat! The eggs were ---WELL--eggs and the hash browns were just plain ol' frozen hash browns heated up. OH YES--we also had coffee! Our total bill was over $25 --- the memories -- PRICELESS!!!
Our Neighbors, Craig and Marylou, left the park today and tonight we have
a couple from Wasilla, Alaska, the home of Sarah Palin! We talked awhile
and he told us the Palmer area, which is very near Wasilla is a very
pretty area. We have discussed going to either Palmer or Eagle River which
are both just above Anchorage. We will probably hang out three days there
before Leslie and Pete fly into Anchorage. We are due to go back to the
Golden Nugget RV in Anchorage on Friday. We would like to find anyplace
other than Golden Nugget to stay for next weekend as the personnel there
are very rude and unorganized. It is also like being packed in a sardine
can as the RV's are parked so close.
a couple from Wasilla, Alaska, the home of Sarah Palin! We talked awhile
and he told us the Palmer area, which is very near Wasilla is a very
pretty area. We have discussed going to either Palmer or Eagle River which
are both just above Anchorage. We will probably hang out three days there
before Leslie and Pete fly into Anchorage. We are due to go back to the
Golden Nugget RV in Anchorage on Friday. We would like to find anyplace
other than Golden Nugget to stay for next weekend as the personnel there
are very rude and unorganized. It is also like being packed in a sardine
can as the RV's are parked so close.
The temperature just keeps dropping since we got back to the campground and
the wind is really whipping. PLEASE let tomorrow be warmer!
the wind is really whipping. PLEASE let tomorrow be warmer!
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