June 30, 2024 - From River to Table in the life of a Salmon

The pictures will tell the story of how to fish, catch, clean, cook and eat salmon.  After a half mile hike from the parking lot to the river bank, dressed in full wader gear with fishing pole in hand off you go!  Some days a helper shows up to enjoy the sun and catch up on some reading. Everyone is friendly, standing in a long row, as deep as necessary, each fishing in their "spot."  The salmon are swimming up stream to their spawning area, so they are on a run for about 45 minutes after high tide and then they are gone. Once you hook one you yell, "FISH ON!"  This alerts fellow fisher people to clear the way for you to land your fish.  Sometimes this may require their help to net your fish.  The fish jump and flop and are not happy to be on the end of your hook!  Once landed they are put on a stringer & tied to a rock to keep cold in the water as you continue to fish for one even bigger than the last one!  When it's time to call it a day, the fish are cleaned on the river bank & their innards are thrown into the river for the seagulls and eagle to fight over. We have grilled and baked the fillets with butter and seasonings.  The skin is on, but peels right off & of course there are bones to pick out.  So worth it and so yummy!

June 22 until further notice, 2024 - Soldotna - Kasilof River

It's been a month since we left J-town! 5,210 miles ago - phew!  We've been boon docking on the Kasilof River for almost 6 days now.  Hide tide determines the time to fish.  Some early mornings and some late evenings.  This gives Rick a 10 minute drive to a fishing hole where the red salmon are running between his legs, but not on the end of his hook!  He has been able to catch two.  Rick cooked one up on the grill using a cedar plank board and boy was it yummy!  Tastes soooo much better than anything you buy at the store! The Cook Inlet has allowed us some amazing sunsets (at 11:38 pm).  We haven't made the 4:36 am sunrise yet, but maybe!  The fish guts dumped in the river are a feast for the seagulls and it attracts the eagles too!  To witness the soar of eagles! WOW!  Once an Eagle, always an Eagle. (Pam's alma mater mascot). We hiked 5 miles on cross country ski trails nearby and were so excited to come upon a MaMa Moose and her baby calf. So cute, but we kept our distance even though the baby kept looking at us like it wanted to be friends.  We also need to give credit to the bunny that crossed our pathway too.  Fingers crossed for more salmon! 

 

 

 

June 19 thru June 21, 2024 - Palmer to Soldotna

 505 steps climbed includes 3 miles hiked. 297 miles traveled. Another great hike with another gorgeous view of Palmer where the Alaska State Fair is held.  It's where the 600 pound pumpkin is grown!  We had a boon docking night in Anchorage at Cabela's.  Rick's candy store - so much for free camping!  Our drive to Soldnotna took us along the water of the Turnagain Arm - so pretty. 

June 18, 2024 - Another day in Palmer

3.6 hiking miles (52 non-traveling miles) We were on a discovery hike!  Never know what you might encounter. Beautiful waterfalls right over the trail.  Where there's a will there's a way.                                         

                                         

June 16 & 17, 2024 Chitina - Palmer

 222 miles that continue with amazing views at every milepost! We hiked 1.7 miles in until the muck got too challenging to cross and had to turn around.  Pam crossed the stream barefoot to keep her feet dry.  And our journey continues . . . 

June 13, 14, 15 McCarthy - Kennecott

 June 13 was an easy travel day from Valdez - Chitina 133 miles.  June 14th put on some truck miles as we drove McCarthy Road into Wrangell-St.Elias National Park.  Named after two huge mountain ranges.  The road is 60 miles one way.  An adventure in itself as we saw swans, bear and moose along the road.  The bear & moose were camera shy so no pics to share.  McCarthy Road took us to the town of McCarthy and then a short van ride to Kennecott, the home of an old Copper Mine along with a view of both the Kennecott and Root glacier.  We had a great "culture" day learning the history of hard amazing work in the copper mining industry.  The residents of Alaska have fish wheels in the Copper River and while we were exploring, we stumbled upon the owner of a wheel who generously showed us both her wheel and how it works.  The bonus was she gave us a red salmon that she caught in the wheel.  WOW!  June 15th got Rick and his fishing pole out to a nearby Lake.  Catch & release, but lots of smiles from the fisherman!

  

June 12, 2024 - Glennallen - Valdez

 130 miles. A day of housekeeping, groceries, laundry and a side trip to Valdez to straighten a bent hitch in the braking system of our tow.  Easy fix and we're on our way.  Bonus trip allowed us to view amazing mountains...glaciers...waterfalls... We camped along the port of Valdez right on Prince William Sound surrounded by the snow covered Church Mountains.  The beauty continues. . . 

                                               

June 11, 2024 - Mosquito is the Alaska STATE BIRD

213 miles.  This our new perfume & after shave!

June 10, 2024 - TOP OF THE WORLD into ALASKA!

 122 miles traveled.  Not many miles but LOTS of washboard gravel roads making it a SLOW go!  Notice all the twisty turns switchbacks and the hills when you view the map.  Our front driver's hubcap took a left turn and is still rolling!  However, as usual, the views make it all worth it!  In Dawson City it was necessary to board the George Black ferry with our rig for a 7 minute ride across the Yukon River. (there is no bridge and no other option) Just before the US-Canada border was the highest point on the Top of the World Highway, an elevation of 4515 feet.  Rick made the windy climb to the cairn stack above.  Enjoy the video of his amazing view.  We spent the night in Chicken, AK.  The picture of the chicken is made of used school lockers - pretty cool!  We have traveled 4171 miles since we left J-town and we have arrive in ALAKSA - may the adventure continue!