Karen saw a Grizzly Bear but I petted one (see photo)!
Our best view of Mt Denali remains the airplane tour yesterday out of Talkeetna. Today, in the park, we had smoke and low clouds so none saw "The Great Mountain"!
Max says "Hey Y'all "!
Sunday, June 30, 2019
Denali Nat Park
God keeps giving us amazing vistas to remind us of his work! Denali is no exception!
Karen saw a Grizzly Bear but I petted one (see photo)!
Our best view of Mt Denali remains the airplane tour yesterday out of Talkeetna. Today, in the park, we had smoke and low clouds so none saw "The Great Mountain"!
Max says "Hey Y'all "!
Karen saw a Grizzly Bear but I petted one (see photo)!
Our best view of Mt Denali remains the airplane tour yesterday out of Talkeetna. Today, in the park, we had smoke and low clouds so none saw "The Great Mountain"!
Max says "Hey Y'all "!
Saturday, June 29, 2019
Walking on a Glacier!
Today was REALLY special! We walked on a glacier!
We chartered a "ski equipped plane" (actually, a 1948 Dehavilland Beaver) and took a 90 minute trip up to Denali, then landing on the Ruth Glacier. AMAZING!
Here's a couple of pictures of Denali from the air and the Karen and I in front of the Beaver with Denali behind us while on Ruth Glacier.
The charter is called K2 in Talkeetna and we decided K2 stood for Karen and Ken! What a great experience!
Max says"Hey Ya'll "
We chartered a "ski equipped plane" (actually, a 1948 Dehavilland Beaver) and took a 90 minute trip up to Denali, then landing on the Ruth Glacier. AMAZING!
Here's a couple of pictures of Denali from the air and the Karen and I in front of the Beaver with Denali behind us while on Ruth Glacier.
The charter is called K2 in Talkeetna and we decided K2 stood for Karen and Ken! What a great experience!
Max says"Hey Ya'll "
Friday, June 28, 2019
Talkeetna and Denali
We decided to drive up to Denali for the weekend....fish aren't biting anyway!
We are spending three nights in a delightful cabin deep in the woods, and spent several hours walking around Talkeetna...yes it is "touristy" but neat!
It was a nice clear sunny day and we had a great view of Mt Denali. The temp was in the upper 80's...almost never heard of here. Alaska is having its 5th hottest summer on record.
Here's a picture of us on the shoreline of the Talkeetna river with the great mountain behind us.
We are spending three nights in a delightful cabin deep in the woods, and spent several hours walking around Talkeetna...yes it is "touristy" but neat!
It was a nice clear sunny day and we had a great view of Mt Denali. The temp was in the upper 80's...almost never heard of here. Alaska is having its 5th hottest summer on record.
Here's a picture of us on the shoreline of the Talkeetna river with the great mountain behind us.
Thursday, June 27, 2019
Two Pictures
It was brought to my attention that the two photos I posted the other day didn't make it!
I'm trying again now....
I'm trying again now....
Wednesday, June 26, 2019
Karen in the Kenai
Got up at 4:15 this morning to go fishing. We continue to fish 2 or 3 hours most days but the Sockeye continue to elude us! Everyone keeps saying "wait, they'll be here"!
At noon we went to Soldotna's Wednesday market in the park. Dozens of vendors and food...had reindeer sausage dogs with carmelized onions....wow! We then listened to a
musical group from our "summer church". They are both vocal and instrumental and sing folk songs and upbeat Christian music each Sunday evening at the church and for the community...very good!
We met 4 interesting "Kiwi's" from New Zeeland. They've been fishing together for 50 years and each year the take a holiday to fish somewhere different in the world...neat guys and RV park neighbors.
Here's a picture of Karen in the Kenai this morning....yes, I'm there too but behind the camera. We did a good job of "washing our tackle "!
Max says "Hey Y'all "!
At noon we went to Soldotna's Wednesday market in the park. Dozens of vendors and food...had reindeer sausage dogs with carmelized onions....wow! We then listened to a
musical group from our "summer church". They are both vocal and instrumental and sing folk songs and upbeat Christian music each Sunday evening at the church and for the community...very good!
We met 4 interesting "Kiwi's" from New Zeeland. They've been fishing together for 50 years and each year the take a holiday to fish somewhere different in the world...neat guys and RV park neighbors.
Here's a picture of Karen in the Kenai this morning....yes, I'm there too but behind the camera. We did a good job of "washing our tackle "!
Max says "Hey Y'all "!
Tuesday, June 25, 2019
Sunday, June 23, 2019
Max and the bear
So, yesterday Max met a bear! Of course, it was a wooden cut-out of a brown bear! Nonetheless, Max focused on the "fake bear" and stood there shaking and quivering. Now, each time we walk by, he watches that bear intently totally convinced it's going to attack!
We're in the "doldrums " of fishing, waiting for the next run in a week or so. We've booked a halibut fishing trip for Tuesday and plan to travel (without the RV) up to Denali on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Hopefully we'll have clear weather and be able to actually see Mt. Denali (formerly Mt McKinley).
We found a great Lutheran church (Christ Lutheran) here in Soldotna and were warmly welcomed many times over. It'll be our "summer church home"!
The weather has been amazing but the Kenai Peninsula has a very moderate climate year-round. A fellow church goer, this morning, said he moved here three years ago to get away from winter! It only dipped below 30 degrees twice last winter (the norm). Unfortunately, several wildfires are burning, including one that has "hotshot" crews from ND working on it.
Max says "Hey Y'all "!
We're in the "doldrums " of fishing, waiting for the next run in a week or so. We've booked a halibut fishing trip for Tuesday and plan to travel (without the RV) up to Denali on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Hopefully we'll have clear weather and be able to actually see Mt. Denali (formerly Mt McKinley).
We found a great Lutheran church (Christ Lutheran) here in Soldotna and were warmly welcomed many times over. It'll be our "summer church home"!
The weather has been amazing but the Kenai Peninsula has a very moderate climate year-round. A fellow church goer, this morning, said he moved here three years ago to get away from winter! It only dipped below 30 degrees twice last winter (the norm). Unfortunately, several wildfires are burning, including one that has "hotshot" crews from ND working on it.
Max says "Hey Y'all "!
Thursday, June 20, 2019
Beautiful Alaska
Yesterday and today have been gorgeous with upper 60s and low 40s.
We added to our campsite today with the erection of a screened patio tent and rare now enjoying the early evening "bug free"!
We spent a couple more hours standing in the heavy flow of the Kenai working on our fishing techniques. We did catch one Dolly Vardin and saw two Sockeye landed anda small King. The first run of Sockeye is ended and the second run sould start in another week.
Karen continues to be amazed at the incredible vibrant wild flowers!
We received excellent advice from friends Linda and John in regard to this RV park (Klondike). Al, the owner, is very friendly and very helpful. The park is clean and well taken care of.
We will fish tomorrow morning but then not fish tomorrow afternoon, Sat or Sun when the Kenai Peninsula is heavily crowded by thousands of people from Anchorage, etc. It becomes "combat fishing" and we prefer to not fish "arm pit to arm pit"!
Max say "Hey Y'all"
We added to our campsite today with the erection of a screened patio tent and rare now enjoying the early evening "bug free"!
We spent a couple more hours standing in the heavy flow of the Kenai working on our fishing techniques. We did catch one Dolly Vardin and saw two Sockeye landed anda small King. The first run of Sockeye is ended and the second run sould start in another week.
Karen continues to be amazed at the incredible vibrant wild flowers!
We received excellent advice from friends Linda and John in regard to this RV park (Klondike). Al, the owner, is very friendly and very helpful. The park is clean and well taken care of.
We will fish tomorrow morning but then not fish tomorrow afternoon, Sat or Sun when the Kenai Peninsula is heavily crowded by thousands of people from Anchorage, etc. It becomes "combat fishing" and we prefer to not fish "arm pit to arm pit"!
Max say "Hey Y'all"
Tuesday, June 18, 2019
Kenai and Russian Rivers
We picked up the fishing tackle and license we needed today. Trustworthy Hardware had most of it but we ended up going to Fred Meyers and then to Walmart for the rest.
That done, we explored the Centenial Beach/Park and Rotary Park areas on the Kenai for tomorrows first day of fishing. It will be a new experiance because neither Karen or I have ever been fly fishing.
Thursday we intend to drive up to Cooper Landing, on the Russian River and take the ferry across to fish the other side. They increased the daily limit there to 9 because of the heavy Salmon run this year and a couple of guys we talked with had their limits within 2 hours (Of course, they probably knew how to fly fish!).
Wednesday evenings, throughout the summer, there is a live music/beer garden "thing" in the park. Locals say it's great so we plan to "go take a look".
Max says "Hey Y'all! "
That done, we explored the Centenial Beach/Park and Rotary Park areas on the Kenai for tomorrows first day of fishing. It will be a new experiance because neither Karen or I have ever been fly fishing.
Thursday we intend to drive up to Cooper Landing, on the Russian River and take the ferry across to fish the other side. They increased the daily limit there to 9 because of the heavy Salmon run this year and a couple of guys we talked with had their limits within 2 hours (Of course, they probably knew how to fly fish!).
Wednesday evenings, throughout the summer, there is a live music/beer garden "thing" in the park. Locals say it's great so we plan to "go take a look".
Max says "Hey Y'all! "
Klondike Rv Park and Soldotna
Greetings,
We were too tired to blog last evening! It was a long day as we finally got the slide and waterheater fixed. It's amazing what having hot water and almost double the floor space can do for morale!
Today it's shopping for fishing gear, groceries and somewhere to get my glasses fixed (yes, I stepped on them).
Talked with several fishermen yesterday as well as a pro guide so we've get a pretty good idea of gear, tackle and some fishing access areas. It appears that the best time is with the "rising tide" (which, this morning was at 3:30 AM.....might have to evaluate that!). Coming down from Anchorage on Sunday made it very apparent that fishing on weekends would be aggravating because of the thousands of locals that fish on weekends. Our fellow RV park fishermen strongly recommend fishing during the week and not fighting the crowds on weekends.
We found a great wood fire pizza/brew house and a decent sports grill. Today we'll explore the giant Fred Meyers store!
It's a nice sunny day here with projected temp of 64 degrees.
God bless,
Max says "Hey y'all "!
We were too tired to blog last evening! It was a long day as we finally got the slide and waterheater fixed. It's amazing what having hot water and almost double the floor space can do for morale!
Today it's shopping for fishing gear, groceries and somewhere to get my glasses fixed (yes, I stepped on them).
Talked with several fishermen yesterday as well as a pro guide so we've get a pretty good idea of gear, tackle and some fishing access areas. It appears that the best time is with the "rising tide" (which, this morning was at 3:30 AM.....might have to evaluate that!). Coming down from Anchorage on Sunday made it very apparent that fishing on weekends would be aggravating because of the thousands of locals that fish on weekends. Our fellow RV park fishermen strongly recommend fishing during the week and not fighting the crowds on weekends.
We found a great wood fire pizza/brew house and a decent sports grill. Today we'll explore the giant Fred Meyers store!
It's a nice sunny day here with projected temp of 64 degrees.
God bless,
Max says "Hey y'all "!
Sunday, June 16, 2019
Soldotna at Last
Well, after 9 days on the road, we have arrived at our new home for the summer! Todays drive, from Palmer, was amazing, especially the Anchorage to here segment. Karen and I agreed that we've never seen so much green....it almost hurt the eyes! Karen was amazed by all of the blooming Lupins!
The melting snow which makes for rapidly rushing rivers is also creating massive Sockeye Salmon runs (the first of the 5 species to run).....can't wait to start fishing!
The Klondike Campground, where we are staying, is modern and clean and Al, the owner (who is originally from Michigan) is very friendly and helpful.
Max has already become the camp's official greeter!
Max says "Hey y'all "!
The melting snow which makes for rapidly rushing rivers is also creating massive Sockeye Salmon runs (the first of the 5 species to run).....can't wait to start fishing!
The Klondike Campground, where we are staying, is modern and clean and Al, the owner (who is originally from Michigan) is very friendly and helpful.
Max has already become the camp's official greeter!
Max says "Hey y'all "!
Saturday, June 15, 2019
Big Bear...Palmer
We drove from Tok to Palmer and the Big Bear Campground (nice but not as "homey " as was the Sourdough in Tok the past two nights.
We met a delightful couple from England last evening (our camp neighbors). They have taken a year off work to travel to 8 different spots on the globe....Alaska being one! Very interesting people!
The drive down today was incredible with high mountains, rushing rivers, glaciers and ditches full of Forget-Me-Nots, Mountain Lupens and what looks like dandelions on steroids!
When we originally entered Canada, the custom's agent told me that over 10,000 RVs travel the AlCan highway each year from the US to Alaska! I believe we saw 9,000 of them today!!!
Tomorrow it's on to Soldotna, our destination for the next three months. In talking with our RV park host yesterday, he said they are having a record run of Salmon up the Russian River so he is anticipating similar runs with other types of Salmon throughout the summer.....can't wait!
🐟
Max says "Hey Y'all "!
🐶
We met a delightful couple from England last evening (our camp neighbors). They have taken a year off work to travel to 8 different spots on the globe....Alaska being one! Very interesting people!
The drive down today was incredible with high mountains, rushing rivers, glaciers and ditches full of Forget-Me-Nots, Mountain Lupens and what looks like dandelions on steroids!
When we originally entered Canada, the custom's agent told me that over 10,000 RVs travel the AlCan highway each year from the US to Alaska! I believe we saw 9,000 of them today!!!
Tomorrow it's on to Soldotna, our destination for the next three months. In talking with our RV park host yesterday, he said they are having a record run of Salmon up the Russian River so he is anticipating similar runs with other types of Salmon throughout the summer.....can't wait!
🐟
Max says "Hey Y'all "!
🐶
Friday, June 14, 2019
Sourdough
We spent the day in Tok at the Sourdough campground. Tomorrow we leave for Palmer.
This campground is famous for its sourdough (believe me, it's great, having tried out the pancakes, homemade buns and pie). Each evening the over, Tim, puts on a comedy act and soughdough pancake throwing contest. If you get you pancake in the bucket, you get a free breakfast. Sadly, neither Karen or I won a free breakfast.
We washed some of the road grime off the truck today and will pull through the campground's RV wash in the morning when pulling out.
The campground is in the trees and although many campers, it's surprisingly quiet!
I notice that at 1:30 last night, when I got up, it was dusk (about as dark as it gets up here this time of the year).
Max has gotten numerous walks in today and continues to be an amazing ambassador and friend to all.
I forgot to mention that Karen found a "pet rock" the will now travel with us!
A couple of our blog followers have mentioned they can't reply to a blog post......I can't figure it out either. I suggest if you want to comment, send a email to: will.kenneth1@gmail.com.
Max says "Hey y'all ".
This campground is famous for its sourdough (believe me, it's great, having tried out the pancakes, homemade buns and pie). Each evening the over, Tim, puts on a comedy act and soughdough pancake throwing contest. If you get you pancake in the bucket, you get a free breakfast. Sadly, neither Karen or I won a free breakfast.
We washed some of the road grime off the truck today and will pull through the campground's RV wash in the morning when pulling out.
The campground is in the trees and although many campers, it's surprisingly quiet!
I notice that at 1:30 last night, when I got up, it was dusk (about as dark as it gets up here this time of the year).
Max has gotten numerous walks in today and continues to be an amazing ambassador and friend to all.
I forgot to mention that Karen found a "pet rock" the will now travel with us!
A couple of our blog followers have mentioned they can't reply to a blog post......I can't figure it out either. I suggest if you want to comment, send a email to: will.kenneth1@gmail.com.
Max says "Hey y'all ".
The Long and Winding Road
After yesterday's day of travel, we've decided on a new theme song....the Beatles ' "Long and Winding Road"!
We are in a really neat campground (Sourdough Campground) in Tok, Alaska. We will stay over another day here and "lay up and lick our wounds" as the old saying goes (mostly just travel weary).
Yesterday's travels were again an ever changing panorama of glorious nature with many wildlife sightings. Tomorrow it's on to Palmer and then to Soldotna on Sunday. Cell phone coverage is sparse and analog rather then digital. Should we ever do this trip again, I would certainly rent a Satphone.
Max says "Hey y'all ".
We are in a really neat campground (Sourdough Campground) in Tok, Alaska. We will stay over another day here and "lay up and lick our wounds" as the old saying goes (mostly just travel weary).
Yesterday's travels were again an ever changing panorama of glorious nature with many wildlife sightings. Tomorrow it's on to Palmer and then to Soldotna on Sunday. Cell phone coverage is sparse and analog rather then digital. Should we ever do this trip again, I would certainly rent a Satphone.
Max says "Hey y'all ".
Wednesday, June 12, 2019
The Peace Region
Two days ago......This NE area of BC is known as the Peace Region and offers incredible scenery and wildlife! It has thousands of miles of rivers, mountains and plains dotted with hundreds of lakes. Wildlife abounds everywhere.
Last night we stayed at a Rotary campground on Lake Charlie, in Ft St John where 12 US soldiers drowned in 1942 while building the Alaskan Highway. There is a large memorial honoring them and the US military.
We haven't had cell phone or wifi coverage for the past two days but are now in Teslin YT at a campgrounds with wifi.
The scenery has been amazing!!! We have seen much wildlife including many black bears, a grizzly with Cubs, Woods Bison, moose and stone sheep. The mountains would easily rival the Grand Tetons!
Last night's stay at Toad River offered beaver, moose and swans.....beautiful!
Like everywhere this time of the year, we've run into our share of road construction! We really need an RV wash!
Max says "Hey y'all "
Last night we stayed at a Rotary campground on Lake Charlie, in Ft St John where 12 US soldiers drowned in 1942 while building the Alaskan Highway. There is a large memorial honoring them and the US military.
We haven't had cell phone or wifi coverage for the past two days but are now in Teslin YT at a campgrounds with wifi.
The scenery has been amazing!!! We have seen much wildlife including many black bears, a grizzly with Cubs, Woods Bison, moose and stone sheep. The mountains would easily rival the Grand Tetons!
Last night's stay at Toad River offered beaver, moose and swans.....beautiful!
Like everywhere this time of the year, we've run into our share of road construction! We really need an RV wash!
Max says "Hey y'all "
Monday, June 10, 2019
Dawson Creek and Ft St Johns
A beautiful day to travel! God continues to reveal the majesty of his creation!
West of Dawson Creek we crossed a very deep and very wide gorge that would easily rival Colorado's Royal Gorge! Later we crossed a river valley near Taylor Alberta that was several miles wide with 6 to 10 percent grades....really glad I'm pulling with a large diesel that has a "jake brake"!
We started out this trip thinking our theme song was going to be Jonnie Horton's "North to Alaska", then yesterday we changed it to Willie Nelson's "On the Road Again" and today we settled on Roy Roger's "Happy Trails to You".
Max says "Hey Y'all "
West of Dawson Creek we crossed a very deep and very wide gorge that would easily rival Colorado's Royal Gorge! Later we crossed a river valley near Taylor Alberta that was several miles wide with 6 to 10 percent grades....really glad I'm pulling with a large diesel that has a "jake brake"!
We started out this trip thinking our theme song was going to be Jonnie Horton's "North to Alaska", then yesterday we changed it to Willie Nelson's "On the Road Again" and today we settled on Roy Roger's "Happy Trails to You".
Max says "Hey Y'all "
Sunday, June 9, 2019
Saturday, June 8, 2019
Lutheran Road
We broke camp, in Minot, in the rain and drove in rain until Portal. The Canadian Customs people we very nice and very professional. They never asked to inspect anything and I thought it was perhaps because I "looked honest"! However, when I saw he was lightly flirting with Karen, I had to rethink it!
Driving North through Saskatchewan was interesting. After we got past the coal mines, power plants and oil fields, the land became as flat as a table top with HUGE fields and large elevator complexes. Sadly, they are in a serious draught situation and many fields have not been planted. Trees are dying and potholes are all white dried alkaline. We saw numerous "dust devils", some very large! I'm also happy to report that Saskatchewan is much like ND in that it seems to be the "road construction" season here too!
We are in a beautiful campground just outside Saskatoon but bucked 40 mph +quartering headwinds all day. A good sign is that the campground is on Lutheran Road!......no kidding!
Max says "hi ya'll"!
Driving North through Saskatchewan was interesting. After we got past the coal mines, power plants and oil fields, the land became as flat as a table top with HUGE fields and large elevator complexes. Sadly, they are in a serious draught situation and many fields have not been planted. Trees are dying and potholes are all white dried alkaline. We saw numerous "dust devils", some very large! I'm also happy to report that Saskatchewan is much like ND in that it seems to be the "road construction" season here too!
We are in a beautiful campground just outside Saskatoon but bucked 40 mph +quartering headwinds all day. A good sign is that the campground is on Lutheran Road!......no kidding!
Max says "hi ya'll"!
Friday, June 7, 2019
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