Day 19--Monday, July 12

Kind of a run-around day for S and stayed in camp--I read all day.

S and R went fishing on the Kasilof--with all the essentials, of course.

Met some new friends with cool floats--

Day 18--Sunday, July 11

Maintenance day--I took off for Soldotna to do laundry, etc. A moose tried to cross the road in front of me but fortunately did not. When I returned to camp, it was still in the same place munching!

Romey and Steve went floating on the Kasilof—

Must have been rather interesting when they go into the rapids in R’s boat—they broke 2 oars, S slipped on some rocks and did a flip—they were both tuckered out to say the least.

Most people float the river in rafts or kayaks—not R/S!

You really do wear sunglasses at night! About 11p--

Day 17--Saturday, July 10--Homer Fishing Charter

We found out last night at 6p that we could get on a charter with a friend of Brandon's today from Homer. We got up at 3a to get to Homer pier by 5:30a; were on the water from 6a-7:30p--it was a HUGE day for us! It was cold, cloudy, windy, rainy—the perfect day for fishing!

Met Mike on the pier 4 slilp K—aboard the Artic Addiction--a 6-passenger and 1-2 crew boat. The trip out was pretty rough—were fishing for halibut, rock fish, and ling cod. First stopped to catch our own bate right outside the dock area—that was fun! I could have quit there! Caught all kinds of bait.

Then out of the bay to rock fish by Elizabeth Island where we were most of the day. This picture looks nice and serene which was not the case after you left they harbor.

Caught 9 rock fish and then moved on to halibut—I CAUGHT THE FIRST ONE AND THE BIGGEST ONE! It was a struggle to get it in! Kind of alternated bet rock fish and halibut. Mike didn’t feel good about going out into the Sea of AK because of the bad weather so we did not fish for ling cod.

Steve's fish--second largest!


Throughout the day, we alternated species and he worked hard to get us our limit of rock fish and halibut. S caught the next biggest halibut—it was a long day! We were the first two to fill our halibut limit of 2. Fished with Steve (S calls him Tim) and Kathy who actually lives right down the road from R. So, it was perfect as it was a small charter and Tim and Kathy were friends of Mike’s so it was great.

Steve's skate fish--not a keeper.

Mike fileted fish on the way in. A company picked up our fish from the dock, will skin, package, shrink wrap, and ship when we give them a call. They make it so easy!

Day 16, Friday July 9

A typical day for the Romey is to plan till about 1p and then do something! So, after the planning session, S/R/boys went dip netting but the tide was really high and they had no luck.

Mary brought me to town to update the blog; the visitor's center has the world record king, 97.4 lbs caught in 1985 on the Kenai. Then,  back to the campground for a bbq.

Karla planned a great bbq at the campground and provided everything. It was raining a bit but little happens that can dampen a true Alaskan's summer. We've never spent so much time sitting around the campfire in the rain. The #1 rule--keep the chairs occupied so the seats don't get wet.

Here's the Newton clan--Cassie, Kirly, Jonathon, Lucas, Mary, Romey, Karla, Jim, Jeremiah (seated). See how Kirly fits right in?

Day 15 (Thursday)--Kenai and Soldotna

At the visitor's center using their wireless to pay bills!  That's a fun part of the vacation. Touring around a bit today--no fishing so far today but probably later.

No fishing today--S is pouting! Had lunch in Soldotna; drove around Soldotna and Kenai and took the Kalifornsky Beach Road back to Kasilof--called "K" Beach for a reason--a Russian name nothing like California.

Picked up s'mores for the kids and back to camp for the evening--an absolutely beautiful evening. Romey and Steve are having a good time catching up--that's Lucas, Romey's youngest grandson.

Weather has been beautiful!

Day 14 Wednesday--fishing the Moose River

Fished from the bank at the mouth of the Moose River where it dumps into the Kasilof River. S caught over 20 fish and kept 1. Not much else for the day--four hours of "feeshin" kept S happy!

After falling IN the river and dealing with my line, I finally gave up! S was having the best time of everyone on the beach.

Steve's mouth must be sore from smiling--he hasn't stopped yet!

Day 13 (Tuesday)

Been on vacation long enough I don't know what day it is! In town for laundry and servicing the RV--just done with both and heading back to the campground. Hopefully, we can wash clothes before another two weeks--

In Soldotna--all seems fine at home--talked to Starla so that's good to know.







Romey has in mind more dip netting today and fishing on the Kasilof maybe--however that didn't happen and S spent a day not fishing. Romey, Mary, Johnny, Jerry, and Lucas--and the Pearl.

Not too hard to relax!