Day 27

11 July 2010

Soldotna & Kenai

We went fishing again this morning and still did not catch anything and no one else were catching any. The reds just are not running right now.

After lunch we went to Kenai and visited the visitor center and watched the fisherman trying to net the reds down on the beach. They were not catching anything also and this was at the mouth of the Kenai River where the Salmon come in from the Cook Inlet. Maybe this week they will come.

Dip Netting at the mouth of the Kenai River

Then it was time to visit the Russian Orthodox Church in Kenai. The Russian Orthodox Priest was there and invited us into the church. This was my highlight of the visit to the Kenai. He was very interesting to talk with. He explained to us the reason for the slanted cross member of the Russian Orthodox cross. The icons of the church are now located in the visitors center because they are redoing the church. If you get a chance to go inside the church and talk with this man, do it he will be a highlight of your visit to Kenai.

Russian Orthodox Church

Russian Orthodox Priest

Day 26

10 July

Soldotna,

Fred Meyer parking lot is a busy place. The free dump attracts a lot of people from the surrounding area. You can dump and get free water. There is a Fred Meyer man that comes around and keeps track of how many days you stay here. You can stay 3 days then leave for a couple and come back if you want. I would think after 3 days here you are ready for new scenery.

We went fishing today and met up with Butch a local who fishes the Kenai River behind the Visitors Center. He taught us how to fish for Reds (Sockeye Salmon). They don't really bite. So it is like snagging in a way. No luck today.

We scoped out a couple of campgrounds and will move to one on Monday. It is a city owned park campground with access to the river. The Swift Water CG charges $16.96 per night and $10.50 to use the dump. Fred Meyer is close by and free dump and water.