Valley of 10,000 Smokes at Katmai

In 1912, one of the largest ever recorded volcanoes occurred. The ash dust caused darkness for surrounding areas for 3 days. Miraculously, no one died. The dust is 700 feet high in areas and spread for miles and miles. We hiked down about 800 feet one and half miles to the falls. The water was powerful. The wall looked like sand, but was volcanic dust. We also saw a confluence of two rivers. The upper trail was gravel with the lower part only being about a foot wide and muddy. Fun and not to hard of a hike. It's about the journey, not the destination.

Brooks Camp Lodge

We stayed for one night at Brooks Camp. It is the only place to stay near the national park headquarters. Each room has two sets of bunk beds, and a bath. There are only 16 rooms. Food could be brought, but must be stored in a separate building and eaten in a electric fence picnic area. We opted to eat all meals at the lodge which was a tasty, spendy buffet. The lodge was just off of the beach where we saw the bear walking. The bridge connects the lodge area to the viewing platform and is about 1/4 mile walk. The farther viewing platform is about a mile walk and part of it is in a very narrow trail. That was somewhat scary to walk in as a bear could be surprised by us. It was fine.

There was circular seating area with a small fire burning. It was nice to sit by the fire and have a glass of wine.

Katmai Brooks Lodge Bear Viewing

We were delighted to see bears at a safe distance in Katmai National Park. The park required visitors to stay 50 yards away from a bear alone and 100 yards away from a sow with cubs. There was a platform where we could see the bear in the falls. The ranger told us he was named Lurch because he steals fish from other bears. At this time no salmon were running so we didn't see any catches. They said he stood in the river for hours just waiting. The other bear was seen walking along the beach in mid-afternoon and after dinner one was napping on the beach. We saw another from a distance rolling in the sand just off the river.

The farther platform was about a mile walk away and I was relieved that we didn't see any bears when we were walking in that remote area. Immediately after landing we were required to attend a bear safety class put on by the park rangers. We were told to make noise, back away slowly, etc. That is all of the usual bear info we already knew but there were many visitors from Italy, Australia, Switzerland and the lower 48 who needed instruction on how to behave.

Sockeye fishing on the Russian River Bow

Another great BOW event. Julia and Mary went with me. We left my house about 7:30 with our coolers full of ice for the big catch! It was a nice drive down, and then we wandered through the campground in search of the pavilion. We found the group and began with introductions and lessons on knots. Tracy Smith led the program with help from other staff members. We learned about bear safety and cutting our line if necessary. After instructions and lunch we walked down a board walk toward the river. It was somewhat slick on the rocks, but no one slipped in. I learned how to release a snagged hook, point my pole towards it and yank on the line. It worked. I also snagged my own boot and Mary's! No one caught any fish that day. At the end of the day we walked toward the sanctuary. That is an area closed to fishing where the fish move between the Russian and Kenai Rivers. It is just south of the ferry. We stood in the water and watched the fish swim swiftly around it. It was cool to see them even if we couldn't fish for them there. After fishing on the way to the santuary, we saw a black bear in the brush about 25 feet from us. The group ahead noticed first, they gathered and raised their arms to looks big and softly talked to it. We did the same as it passed. I was not too scared and this was the first time I saw a bear in the wild. On the way back we saw one across the river. It looked bigger than the first one.

Moose on the trail!

It started out as an ordinary hike for the "half-Hikers". We were going to hike about 4 miles roundtrip on Wolverine off of Prospect. I think it was one of the first hikes for Julianne. Pretty far into the hike I said to be quiet because I thought I heard a moose. Everyone couldn't imagine how I said that with the bear bells, laughter etc. Anyway they were quiet and we heard nothing. Suddenly a moose came galloping quickly towards us on the trail. Dodie shouts out "moose!" The four of them jump off the trail to the left and try to get behind a tree. The moose was coming too fast for me to cross the trail and I quickly get off to the right, but there are not large trees around. Just after I get over it runs past us on the trail. About 50 feet later, it turns around to look at us. My heart was beating fast....it was scary. Joanne took the photo later on down the trail. We decided it may have been running from a bear or fox and it should be time for us to turn around also. That was a memorable hike.

Float tube fishing BOW Becoming Outdoor Women- AK

I went with one of my Petroleum Wives friends, Brenda, to the BOW program. We had introductions and told why we came to the program. Next, we learned how to make fishing knots such as the surgeon's knot, palomar, improved clinch knot and the blood knot. Tracy Smith who is a very knowledge fish biologist led the program and also told us much about how to handle a fish if we caught it. For catch and release, it is necessary to have wet hands so as to not damage the slime layer on the fish skin. Hold the fish gently until it swims away after releasing the hook. Tracy hand picked our flies to resemble the insects on the lake that week. So much to learn about this fishing business............

She told us many fish regulations, always have your license with you. Never snag in fresh water. She gave us a booklet of all the regulations and told us to call her with questions. After that we were geared up with chest waders and boots and went out to the Canoe Lake in Palmer a short drive from the state office.

We were given fishing poles and we tied a fly on with our new knot skills.
We were assisted into our tubes and put on fins similar to snorkel fins. Then we paddle out on the lake. It was not cold as I wore fleece and long underwear under my waders. I kicked around and they told us the fish were near the shore. Try as I might, no fish came to me, but it was still a super fun day.

The lodge at Kennicott

The lodge was a reconstruction of one that was in the same spot and burned down about 1985. The lodge was sold and the new owner obtained the blueprints and built it back with some additions. The main lodge was two stories, built on a hill we needed to climb about two stories to reach the small lobby area. The dining hall was in the center and our package had all meals included. Matt was given special vegetarian meals. One night we had prime rib and the next bbq ribs and chicken. We were served family style and assigned tables to mingle with the other guests. The restrooms were down the hall from the rooms and so were the showers. The lobby had a gas fireplace going even in late May. The rooms and hallways were decorated mainly with antique magazine ads and small items such as kitchen tools.

The front had a long porch where we ate lunch one day. It overlooked the main street of about six small stores and vendors who led hikes, etc. The National Park office was at the far end. It was originally the town store and was still set up as such. The friendly rangers helped Don with bird questions.