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Published: July 19th 2011
Drift boat fishing the Kenai
We will be floating in one of these as we fish for salmon next week.We were very glad to get out of Seward because of the constant wind. We couldn't even sit outside to enjoy a campfire and the view after a nice dinner of Alaskan King Crab legs at Ray's Waterfront Restaurant. As we drove out of town this morning, the cruise ship Radiance of the Seas was in port. Holy Cow, is that thing ever big! It looked double the size of the ones that were in yesterday and the day before. I cannot even imagine the size of Allure or Oasis of the Seas, the largest cruise ships built to date. I just looked up the sizes: 2500 passengers for Radiance compared to 6300 passengers for Allure or Oasis - triple the size.
Friday, 15th: Pretty uneventful/non-scenic drive (135 miles from Seward to Ninilchik) except for the stop at the Harley store in Soldotna. We arrived in Soldotna before the reds (sockeye salmon), so it was not so busy. When the reds arrive, there is no parking and everything is a ZOO! Stopped at the Visitor Center and walked down to the fish walk. The fish walks have been provided by the city because most of the banks of the Kenai
River are privately owned in addition to being very steep, so residents can’t get down to the banks very easily. They installed fish walks, including one for disabled seniors, which allow residents to fish the river without trespassing. Right now, Soldotna is a busy place, but by Aug 1st, it will be a ghost town as all the fisherman will follow the reds to Seward and Valdez. Pretty interesting!
Saturday, 16th: In Ninilchik, Jim and I walked to General Store, then back through the State Park to watch the clam digging at the beach. Walked down to the beach (120 steps down and then back up) to get a closer view of the clam digging process and the rinsing of the clams in the river. Headed back, watched the cleaning of the clams process in the afternoon. Learned a lot!
Sunday, 17th: clam dug; wiped us out, rested, cleaned clams, then deep fried some as our appetizer. Quite tasty! But, we'd rather have a plate of them in a restaurant than ever dig for them again. In fact, we have 2 clam guns, used only once, for sale, cheap at half-price! Froze the rest for clam chowder later.
10:00 pm
The sky was actually much lighter, but because I was focusing on the sun, the picture is deceiving. At 10:00, it is still so bright. Once inside the RV, you'd never know it's light outside. Monday, 18th: Boys went halibut fishing and limited out; the Linda's went sightseeing in Soldotna and Kenai. Had grilled fresh halibut for dinner (YUM!!). As Jack flies out of Anchorage 7/21, this is his last supper with all 6 of us together. He had wanted beanie weenies on a paper plate with a plastic spoon sitting around a campfire, but he had to settle for the “very fresh, caught today” halibut, served with grilled corn on the cob and fresh tomatoes/baby mozzarella, sprinkled with Italian dressing, basil, salt and pepper. L & L watched dip netting, saw 2 moose (I am no longer moose-jinxed!), had wonderful Mexican food lunch in Soldotna, lovely Russian Orthodox churches, both in Soldotna and Kenai, the Kenai one with a guided tour by the priest who had been there many years. A fun day was had by all. Tomorrow, the Webbs head for Homer and the Johnsons, + Mike and Jack head for Anchorage and Denali.
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Chuck
non-member comment
Clam Gun
I am looking for two clam gun. What is the gun made of?