Day 12--Floating the Kenai

Monday July 5, 2010 Brandon took us floating on the Kenai.

Wow—what fun! Left about 6:30ish for the float trip Romey set up for us on the Kenai. Met Brandon at the Centennial Park where he launched his boat and drove his vehicle to Eagles Point where he left his pu and trailer—coincidentally where S caught his 64 lb king. "Have you seen a picture of my fish?"

Beautiful day—altho windy, the sun was out at times amidst the clouds; no rain but the bonus of the day was that it was no guide, no motor Monday—the day for the locals to fish. So, Brandon was a great friend and provided us with everything we needed to fish the day. The float and sites were wonderful—

I caught the first fish – a jack -- and Steve caught a "dolly".. After that, S caught the first king! It was so exciting!!! OMG! So, more floating—Brandon excellent at maneuvering the Mackenzie riverboat with the oars and getting us to all the “hot spots”. We jigged for a time and went back to trolling—starting talking about laundry to do when we got home and that must have been the ticket – caught a 18-20 lb king! WHAT a rush. So, after that Brandon navigated us to Eagle Rock where S caught his 64 lb king—then back to have Romey shrink wrap the fish and stick in the freezer the fish for shipping.


Back to the campground—OMG laundry tomorrow--FINALLY!!!

Day 11--4th of July

We'll be in Kasilof for the 4th and C/T/D/M will be in Anchorage. After arriving in Kasilof, Romey decided to go camping last night about 9 pm at Tustumena Lake. Got settled in the campground--after staying up till about 3 am.

Boating on the Kasilof River.

The Kasilof is glacier fed and have plans to go to the base--or at least within 5 miles of it--before we leave.

Went boating and fishing on the Kasilof--went to Caribou Island where there is a public use cabin for rent at $35/night--have to boat there. Fished a couple hours on the Kasilof.

Went dip netting about 9 pm and got home about midnight--OMG was that an awesome experience!

Romey let S do the dip netting--it is subsistence fishing for the locals. S was in his waders waiting for the tide to bring in the fish. He wasn't in the water 1 minute before he netted a 5 lb red salmon.

The beach was packed! It was a party atmosphere with bon fires/camping/bbq'g--fireworks altho they were hard to see!

We left after about 2 hours and went back to the campground.

Day 10--on our own!

C/T/D/M on a harbor cruise in Seward to take the 6 pm train to Anchorage. They spent last night at the Wind Song fin Seward. Their itinerary is to Anchorage at the "Captain Hook" for 2 nites; Denali River Cabins for 2 nites; rail to Fairbanks to stay at the Sophie Station hotel to depart Fairbanks.

It was sad to part ways--it's been a great time and we are planning our next adventure--in a few years!

We're on our way to pick up the RV!

Great Alaskan Holidays--we are seeing their RV's all over the pennisula!

WalMart--that looks like an awful lot of stuff! I tried to put it away as we were driving to Kasilof but that wasn't the best idea! Needed the dramamine for that! S loved spending an hour in WM!

Finally, the long-awaited reunion--Romey was down and stayed with us over 10 years ago. S is already making plans to come up this winter and trim out his house.

Tustemena Campground--set up camp about 10 pm--nice it's still light out!

Day 9--Seward and beyond

Arrive Seward at 3 am and debark at 7 am???? Why so early? The ship turns around with new passengers and returns to Vancouver--about 30 passengers made the rounndtrip.

Where to? Near the train depot--

Pier in Seward.

Iditarod trail--walked along the bay to the marine life place--saw seels/fish/birds--had pizza and calzones for lunch--our last lunch together on this trip!

The marine life centerl

Mt. Alice--

4th of July race--to the top of the mountain and back in 43 minutes? Really? Seward has a population of 3,000 and swells to 30,000 for the 4th of July.













C/T/D/M spend the night in Seward and possibly fishing and sightseeing--and laundry!  K/S depart for Anchorage on the train at 6 pm to spend the night and pick up the RV the next day.

Most posts to follow!

Day 8--cruising day

Awoke to the sight of icebergs coming -- or as Tom says "blue birds?"

Ah, blue bergs!!! Cruised through Glacier Bay to see the Hubbard Glacier--the largest glacier in north America. Also saw the Turner Glacier and experienced calving, seals, and crystal blue icebergs scattered throughout the bay.

On the bridge--everyone was invited for a 20-minute tour of the bridge--interesting!

HEY--LOOKS WHO'S HERE!

Spent some time cruising the ship--a little shopping. Getting packed! I think we are all ready to go!






Today is spent cruising to Seward, packing for our disembarkment time of 7 am on Friday, and enjoying our final happy hour aboard ship.

Day 7--Skagway

First rainy day we've had! But, covered train ride up White Pass--about a 3 hour ride. Nice that it was not very busy and we almost had an entire car to ourselves! Beautiful scenery--

There were two trails leading to the gold fields in Dawson, BC--White Pass and the Chilkoot Trail. As you can tell, it rained most of the day. This is the "98 Trail" leading up White Pass which was the shorter of the two routes. Watched  a video on local gold rush history--thousands came and few left with any gold. The rush lasted 2 years--amazing that they could traverse the steep, steep trail loaded down with 1000 pounds of supplies required by Canadian Mounties in order to even enter Canada. Gold seekers came from Sweden, the east coast having to travel all the way around the tip of South America, and many other countries.

This is at the border between the US and Canada.

This is the border station.

Cruised downtown Skagway and had lunch at the Skagway Brewery (owned by friends of T/C's from Rochford). A great lunch--beef and chicken--sick of fish already???

Could not leave Skagway without visiting the Red Onion where Tom and Steve happily gave up their hard earned dollars to the "pink cheeked ladies" in the redlight district. Why are they smiling so much?

The Red Onion on main street.

Back to the ship to begin the cruise to Glacier Bay in the morning.

Day 6--Juneau

State capitol of Alaska--the only capitol you cannot access by road.

Steve and I cruised about the city on another beautiful, sunshiney day. Looking for fish and chips for lunch and who do we see???? 

Carleen and Tom just back from their bike and brew--rode bikes out to Mendenhall Glacier and back for Alaska Brewery brews. Had lunch at the brewery--fish/chips/chowder for us, steamers for Tom and fish tacos for Carleen--along with a couple pitchers, of course.





Darleen and Mike hiked the trail and saw "bears, eagles, and wolves" (their version).

Karen and Steve rode the tram to the top of Mt. Roberts, hiked the trail, saw the eagle--Lady Baltimore--shot by a 22 and forever unable to fly.

Met at the Red Dog for brews--

"HEY! LOOK WHO'S HERE!"

HEY! LOOK WHO'S HERE! IT'S LARRY!

More happy hour to follow in C/T's stateroom with fresh smoked salmon they bought from the cannery where they saw the salmon being unload up the ladder in the morning.