The Cabins

I just know everyone has been waiting for a post about the cabins we clean.  As you enter the Park you go past the Lodge 

and down into the RV Park

Past the RV park the road leads to the Cabins by the Lake

Careful!  You have to cross the Rail Road Tracks

The road is bordered by thick woods

Goes past the neighbor's historic cabin under restoration

and ends up at the Lake

This was the beach when we first got here you could actually walk along the shore but now the water is up to the trees

It deposited this stump at the end of the picnic area beach

A left turn at the Picnic area will lead you to the 5 Lakeside Cabins

They are still nestled in some woods

A nice porch

with views of the Lake

These cabins were all remodeled last year.  The kitchen and dining area with a spiral staircase up to the Loft

There is a Futon / Bunk bed combo on the first floor so it will sleep up to 5.  The upper twin bunk is a joy to make . . . NOT!

The upstairs is cozy with a Queen Bed

Looking down on the table which is always set for new arrivals

Behind the Cabins on the other side of the road is a small playground

 

The road along the side of the playground leads to the 3 Wooded Cabins.  Cabin 6 interior is similar to what the Lakeside Cabins were before renovation

Carpet and no upper cabinets and just a Futon downstairs so it sleeps only 4.  Stairs as you enter take you up to the Loft

Cabin 8

and Cabin 7

We also clean the neighbor's cabins - The Cabins at Kenai Lake.  They are "dry" cabins.  No electricity or running water.  Heated by wood stove and illuminated by gas lanterns. Water has to be pumped and brought to the Cabin and each has it's own private outhouse.

The Ketchikan

The front deck has a nice fireplace

A little further down the Lake is the Yakitat

The outhouse.  Most of them have leaded glass windows.

Next to the Yakitat is the wood fired Hot Tub and Sauna

At the end and on the Lake is the Chenega

A full size bed downstairs

and Twin beds in the loft

The funkiest outhouse

It's fun walking between the cabins

 
The last cabin is tucked in the woods by the rail road tracks - Nebesna

The loft has 4 twin beds - most fun to make.

I love that he used branches for door handles, posts and railings

 People in glass outhouses should know the people sleeping on the second floor of the cabin

In case you were wondering how the people shower - there is a shower behind the garage - on demand propane heat

This is the second cord of wood we stacked and delivered some to the cabins - we had already stacked over half before I took the picture

One rainy day we did a "Staycation" at one of Jan's cabins - the Yakitat

 Got a nice fire going on the deck

 Cooked burgers and hots

 and S'mores for dessert

 We fired up the wood burning Hot Tub

 enjoyed a soak

 and I made some whirly gigs from the beach wood

Drive to Captain Cook State Recreation Area

A miserable rainy day off, We had hair appointments in Seward but when we got there, found that the owner had cancelled them becaue we didn't respond to his call that morning.  We explained that we had no cell service in Moose Pass but he really didn't care and was quite rude - he pushed me backwards out the door and I stepped on Gary's foot.  So we decide to head to Walmart in Soldotna for haircuts and continue on to Captain Cook State Recreation area hoping maybe the weather is nicer on the other side of the Peninsula.

A stop at the Kenai River to see if anyone is out rafting or fishing in this weather.

 Some die hard fishermen

 and a Raft ready for passengers - looks like Tucson is ready

 Further down the river some have gotten out to fish

 We found a hair salon open in Sterling with no one waiting so we got our hair cuts there.   A straight shot now to Captain Cook.

 A hiking trail to Bishop Creek

 There's the creek.  Salmon are spawning in it - saw a couple jumping

 It feeds into Cook Inlet but it is low tide

 Some large rocks around

Looks like foliage is starting to turn color

 Further down the road we get a peek at Stormy Lake

 It's an uphill climb to the end of the road

 Over the Clint Starnes Memorial Bridge which crosses the Swanson River

 End of the line

 Discover the Beach

 It's rocky and people are looking for agates.  Quite a few 4 wheelers came through too

 Back over the Swanson River - people are fishing

 On the way back we stop at Nikiski and take the road to Nikishka Bay to check out the Oil Platforms. 

 Looks like the end of the road here too

 A boat for Tucson!

 On the way back we check out the free campsites at the National Forest Petersen and Kelly Lakes.

Bear Lake and the Salmon Run

Today is a beautiful day and we need to get out but are trying to stay local this week.  I remember Bear Lake is a shorter hike and we want to see if the Salmon are running at the overlooks.

We go to the viewing area by the Fish Hatchery.  Most of the viewing areas are right by the parking area but this one turns out to be a short walk through the woods and we didn't bring bear spray

 Viewing platform ahead

 The Sockeye Salmon aka Red are beginning to run here.  Some don't make it.  They turn red and the heads gray when they reach fresh water to spawn.  We hear they're not good eating once they change color in the freshwater.

 Before we pulled into the viewing area I had spotted a bridge in a clearing on the other side of the road by the Fish Hatchery.  We go to investigate and it turned out to be a portion of the old highway over the creek. 

 While talking to a couple fishing there for Dolly Varden, a huge Beaver swam by. 

 We continue on to the Bear Lake hike and find this posted.  We go to get the bear spray and there is none to be found.  

 We take our chances - it is only .6 mile to the Lake

 We come to a creek and wonder if we should continue.  We decide to go up to the next bend.

 Good thing because there's the Lake!  The Fish and Game people were working there.

 A line of Sockeye trying to go up the creek

 But they've been blocked by the Fish and Game as it is not a spawning creek.

 They are two and three deep in spots.

 A gull and magpie watch

 We head out not wanting to keep them from their work and as we get on the trail we hear them shout Bear!  Bear!  So we turn back to the beach.

One of the wardens has a rifle as they have been bothered by the Mother bear and cubs trying to get the Salmon. 

 We just missed the Mother Bear and cubs catching a fish.

 But Mom comes back out into the Lake

 After she went back to shore we waited several minutes and decided to head back, with me singing Amazing Grace.  We made it back without a confrontation.

 On the way back we stop at the Lily Pond for a couple of shots.

Great Day!