Kenai Peninsula and the Russian and Kenai Rivers are "Running"

Red Salmon are running and the fishermen say that at first there was a 3 fish limit/day but that was increased to 6/day. You have to be up on all the regulations. Also some stretches where Rainbow Trout are catch and release only, and I would just love to try some Dolly Varden! The trout around here get to be 22 lbs! The day we drove down (was last Wednesday from Hope) was rain and the mountains were covered in low clouds. But breaking through we could see lovely green alpine meadows and spruce trees in sparse groups. Very picturesque! But with the mist no pictures were taken there. We hope for clearer skies when we come back past. We stopped at Russian River SP but they were full. The fishermen have booked this one up for months online. But we were able to dry camp (as we generally do) in their overflow parking lot. ($4 for 24 hours)

And awoke to a fisherman parking next to us. I asked him for direction to the trail head to the Russian Falls and Salmon viewing deck. A few minutes later when I was back inside the camper he came to my window and called out. "There's a bear right behind your camper, beware!" Sure enough there was a little black bear. We looked for the mother and she was not around. The camp concessioners at the "entrance" said he was spotted all week roaming alone. We kept on the alert as usual. Hiked to the trail head and back was a good 6 miles. But the viewing there was very special.

These fish were resting in the backwaters at the bottom of the falls. After the heavy rains we had yesterday and last night the rivers were "up" and flowing much harder. But some were still making it up! Truely amazing to see. Even the gulls were getting in on the act. One here was swimming in the circle of fish and would peck on them grabbing a bite most times!

We left Russian River and drove about 10 miles to Paterson Lake, alongside Kelley Lake.

They both had 4 sites (half were available in each site! Room for us!!) and were free. They were gravel circles and would accommodate any size vehicles/campers. Having picnic tables, fire rings and composting toilets. Both areas had a nice sized lake perfect for non-motorized crafts. Canoes and Kayaks. Wish we had one here! Lake fishing at its best.

We visited several visitors centers, Soldotna and Kenai especially had such wonderful exhibits. Large stuffed animals, large bears, head mounts of Dall Sheep, Moose and such. Also a huge variety of stuffed birds. Eiders, Puffins, Harlequin Ducks, a bald eagle and many I'd never seen before. There was a recent addition to Soldotna's of many ivory and jade carvings. These included tusks with sled dog teams carved on top, baleen woven baskets with carved ivory handles. And my favorite a jade carved wooly mammoth with ivory tusks about 18 inches long and say 12 inches high. (these were in a glass enclosure). The women at these centers were so nice and helpful too. We got some great information and even tips on the best restaurants. We ate a dinner at Louie's Seafood and Steakhouse. (alongside Louie's Uptown Motel!) Inside was on the dark side, but as your eyes adjusted you scanned the large dining area and saw the entire walls were covered in wild animals! Lots of mounted heads, some whole animals. And skins on the walls. The booths were upholstered and comfy, and the tables had "barrel" shaped upholstered chairs that looked comfy too. We shared a dinner. Halibut with king crab and asparagus garnish and Hollendaise Sauce.(sp?) It came with wild rice, green beans and salad (or choice of house soup which was a cheddar cheese and mac.) They had a seafood chowder but we wouldn't have had room. As it was just sharing this meal we still had no room for dessert! After a night in Kenai's Walmart we headed up to Captain Cook SP.