Freedom Part two

Bucky and I stood on the bank with the clear turquoise water racing by, searching the Kenai River for fish. The lack of fisherman lining the banks was an immediate indication that we had missed the first run of Sockeye Salmon and were ahead of the second run.

A few fisherman traveled the shoreline on foot, but more slid silently by in drift boats and rafts. Seagulls and a lone eagle squawked while circling the remains of a previous catch. With no fishing activity, we were in no danger of seeing bears. Bucky made a futile attempt at the one Sockeye he saw. I watched a small trout make its way along the cut bank. The term fishing is used loosely when trying for migrating salmon. It's actually a snagging technique which when done successfully, places the hook in the salmon's mouth. While the hook floats downstream the fish swimming upstream bumps into it. A jerk of the rod sets the hook.....hopefully in the fish's mouth. If not hooked in the mouth, the fish has to be returned to the river. We had no worry over hook placement today.

We found this scene when we passed the river on our way down the peninsula to Homer. We should have stopped as the fishing ended during the few days we spent south.

Activity away from the water.

Homer is a destination for most Alaskan visitors. Every few years, Bucky and I join the throngs of tourists traveling to this unique town. This trip, we stopped at the fishing lagoon to see what was being caught. Here, the fish enter a man made pond/lagoon on the high tide and are held until they are either caught or can escape on the next tide.

Bucky watched for awhile and then grabbed his book and crawled onto the bed at the back of the RV. I grabbed my camera and walked a ways down the Homer Spit.

                                                       Beluga Lake, Homer's seaplane base.

Driving down the hill into Homer. The spit can be seen in the distance heading out into Katchemak Bay

Driving on the spit and looking across the bay at the Harding Ice Fields. Soon we would be on the opposite side of these glaciers in Seward. There is just no way to cross by car.

It's not all about tourists

                                                                      Oriental Blue Poppy

                                                                        Homer small boat harbor

The famous circle hook used by most anglers. It would seem impossible for a fish to get off, but all too often they do.

We found the campgrounds full on the spit and felt like we needed to leave. Some Bbq at Jaxx's as we left the spit provided us with strength to forge on. That evening we settled in at Halibut Campground, one of the several campgrounds in Anchor Point State Recreation Area. We have stayed here before and its awesome. We nestled between the spruces with lupines and fireweed providing a purple pallet streaked with pink roses.  Anchor Point is very similar to Deep Creek. Skidders are used to place boats in and out of the water. The beach is perfect for exploring and eagles are everywhere. Bucky, Fisher and I stretched our legs and enjoyed the sights.

                                                                   Mt. Augustine

                                                         Something we haven't seen before!

Heading home we swung into Ninilchik. Old Ninilchik is a fishing village which lies on the beach and is known for its much photographed Russian Orthodox Church. There is still a large Russian community on the Kenai and this church has an active congregation.

Mt Redoubt

I climbed the hill to the church and looked down at our motorhome as Bucky pulled out of Ninilchik

Our final stop was in Seward, another popular spot for tourists. On a sunny day, Seward's beauty is beyond description. On a rainy day, it is easily forgettable. It was partially sunny when we arrived. The fourth of July Mountain Marathon festivities were long past and town was somewhat quiet.

Mt Marathon, notice the trail runners take to the top....a grueling race both up and down

downtown looking toward Resurrection Bay

A few miles outside of Seward, we stopped at the Bear Creek Weir to finally see salmon. The creek was full of fish and they anxiously waited to leap the falls making their way upstream to spawn. The weir enables entrapment and fish counting. No fishing is allowed near the weir.

Our final night was spent near Turnagain Pass at Granite Creek Campground. One advantage of our age is that we stay in federal campgrounds for $7! Bucky and I were amazed at the variety of birds calling this home and we spent hours focused on a few. After numerous failed attempts, we were happy with this capture of a male Wilson's Warbler.

I titled this post Freedom because of July 4, but also because I feel travel is a luxury that Bucky and I have while many others do not. For a variety of reasons, others can not go, see or do what we are able to. Neither of us takes this for granted. We know we are lucky. My hope is that my posts are enjoyable to look at, sometimes funny to read and not seen as bragging, but rather as my sharing with you.