Day 49 - Kenai, AK

One of my most favorite things to do is get out first thing in the morning to look for birds and wildlife. As I drove out of the campground parking lot this was my view of Mt Redoubt. What a way to start the morning.

I drove to several different locations, no birds, no caribou, no moose to be found anywhere. There are signs posted saying that 192 moose have been killed on the Kenai Peninsula since July last year. Maybe that's why I've seen no moose. Anyway, if a moose, caribou, bear etc is killed they do not go to waste. There's a list at the local state troopers office you can put your name on if you want a roadkill. You might get one you might not. With 192 moose killed, there's a good chance.

Looking for wildlife was a total wash, so I ventured down to the mouth of the Kenai River. I heard about this thing called dipnetting. Dipnetting is very much an Alaskan way of life. In March 1996, the Board of Fisheries changed the Cook Inlet Salmon Personal Use Plan by being more flexible to Alaska residents. The dipnet season runs mid July to the end of July. To dip net, anglers must stand at the mouth of the Kenai River holding large nets with handles. It is open only to Alaska residence, visitors get to watch in amazement.

Mouth of the Kenai River

View from the beach

Mt Redoubt

Later, we all went out to do some sightseeing and there they were the caribou standing/lying in the open field. It looked like two females and their young.

The first Russian explorers arrived in Alaska in 1741. They built Fort St Nicholas Redoubt in 1791, the fifth Russian post in Alaska. The fort was an outpost for trading fish and furs. By the time British explorer Captain Vancouver visited in 1794, about 40 Russians occupied the outpost. The Russian Orthodox religion took root and the oldest buildings in Kenai  are Orthodox related.

The Parish Rectory built in 1881

The Holy Assumption of the Virgin Mary Orthodox Church built in 1895

Chapel of St Nicholas built in 1906

Wild Roses

I love this house...nice flower box

On the way home Susan wanted to stop at a wood carving place. Everything was carved using a chainsaw. It was amazing. The sign should read Derrick Stanton and sons.

This is 10 year old Adaleigha, one of the very talented young sons. He just finished carving the tree he is standing beside, so we bought it. It's really, really good.

Now it's time to head home for some much needed food. This sightseeing sure works up an appetite. As we cross back over the Kenai River I spot mama and baby caribou running down river on the bank. I quickly pull off, park the truck, jumped out just as the caribou were running towards me. Then a dog barks, they turn around and start swimming across the river. Then a boat comes up the river, they turn around and swim back. Once onshore they run up river never to be seen again. That all happened so fast Susan never even had a chance to see them. To much excitement.