Plans Change, Isn't that what this lifestyle is about?

Our plans for Ninilchik was to stay a month to hide out during the peak of the fishing.  Not being avid fishermen puts us as a minority.  We have learned however, we are getting more fish from people that have caught more than they can eat or ship home than if we went fishing ourselves.  On my last post I described the RV park as vintage.  The Scenic View RV park is indeed vintage and essential services are in need of repair.  The longer we stayed the more the short falls were in our faces and our noses.  The sewer never got fixed and unfortunately we were at the end of the line so we were bombarded with unpleasant smells that were not ours.  I understand things break down, but the owner preferred sunbathing over fixing things.  The park was dirty and loud with clammers and fisherman making noise at all hours.  The small area of the place made it impossible to walk the dogs and get some exercise.  Many of the amenities their web site touted were not there.  We were looking forward to walks down to the beach, but the trail is not at the park, but 8 miles south!  Crazy that the owners think it is ok to tout something and not have it.  The park owners acted like they are in need of friends and were really clingy.  Really too weird for me.  It all became too much for us and we got our money back and came back to Cooper Landing at the Princess Lodge.  aHHH, I can breathe and enjoy the turquoise waters of the Kenai River, clean facilities and the hot tub.

Since coming back here, we have done more walking which we both badly need the exercise.  The walk down to the river is still nice, and now we have our trusty Alaska Tennis Rackets that are bug zappers.  Nothing thrills us more than hearing that zzzttt sound as another mosquito bites the dust.  ;-).

The pups are more relaxed here also.  We can avoid the big scary dogs and find alternate routes.  Right now they are sleeping on the chairs.  We will take a little walk to the river in a while and they will be in heaven.  They have little rodents in the woods called Pica's.  They are rolly polly little fat things that can't run too fast.  Our two think they are lots of fun to look for and if they find one, they want to chase it but on leashes, they are limited.  There is a brown bear that has been seen several times at night here in the park.  I think our pups can smell where he has been and they love all the birds flying around.

Today was housecleaning day and we had a lot of rain last night.  It sounded so nice and has cooled things down a bit.  Once in the night we heard the pitter of gentle rain and the pelting of hard rain at the same time.  Very refreshing!

The little tour we took of Ninilchik was short as there is not much there.  We went to the Old Ninilchik Village where we got the hopes up of the owner that she might sell something.  We didn't mean to disappoint, but when you live in your beast, you have to avoid filling it with unnecessary stuff.  After looking at the amber and polished stones made into really nice jewelry pieces, we ventured up the hill to the Old Russian Orthodox Church.  Along the way, dogs ran out protecting their turf.  My oh my, I'm not sure how the dogs make it here as none are on leashes or fenced yards.  Anyway I digress....

We made a stop at the Post Office...

The boats in the Harbor are stranded during low tide.  They lean on to the next boat and at times, lean a bit much.

When the tide comes in, they can go out for their fishing.

Since there wasn't much to do, we headed to The Homer Spit for some FishNChips and some beer at the Salty Dawg.  Overall a fun day!

This is what too many Fish N Chips, Apple Fritters and Beer Looks like!  Whew I need to start my diet!

We saw these Sandhill Cranes on the side of the road in Homer

And a Moose!

The Kenai Peninsula is very pretty but with not a lot to see and do if you don't fish.  We will be heading to Seward for a little over a week on Monday.  Grocery Shopping is a must and a hike to the Exit Glacier is on my list.  May take in the Sea Life Center or do their fund raising 5K fun run/walk.  I feel the need to get out and move!  A little cabin fever may be setting in....

Ninilchik, Alaska and Volcano Alley along the Cook Inlet

We arrived in Ninilchik on Monday the 8th.  It was a short (less than 40 miles) drive from Homer.  We pulled into the Scenic View RV park mid day.  The park is just off the Scenic View pullout which makes it easy to unhook your toad before pulling in.  It's a small park and is aptly named.  The view is amazing on a clear day.  The smallness of the park creates a sort of 'vintage' atmosphere.  If you've ever watched the Long Long Trailer starring Lucy and Desi, you'll know what I mean.  There is a common area for the picnic tables and big fire-pit.  Bob the owner goes out every evening and uses a propane torch to light it.  The pups hate it as the noise scares them.  Smore's are on the dessert menu.  Yummy.  If your curious, you can catch a glimpse of the goings on at www.scenicviewrv.com/parkinfo/webcam/.

Neighbors went to town yesterday and brought us back Fritters from the Moose is Loose.  Yes I am in need of a diet before our cruise in October.  We have enjoyed sunny high 60's weather during our stay.  Today is more of what I expected the weather to be like...fog, overcast and a little chilly.  Love it!

Mt. Redoubt

There are four volcanoes in view of the park.  Mt. Redoubt is directly across the Inlet.   Three Glaciers is just to the North, Mt. Spur is farther North and Mt. Iliamna is South.  Mt. Augustine is farther South and can be seen on a clear day.

Glacier with Three Glaciers Volcano to the North

Mt. Spur with Three Glacier to the South

Mt. Iliamna

The sign at the Scenic Overlook

Although there has been limited eruptions of these volcanoes, they do emit steam periodically.  These volcanoes are considered active and are monitored.  

The area is full of wildflowers.  The purple Lupines, the Fireweed and the Cowslip are all growing and blooming.  The Fireweed is just getting ready to pop out in a burst of fuchsia flowers.

What is there to do in Ninilchik?  Not much!  We have left the park twice in the week.  First to head to the beach with the pups.  We went a little rock hounding and Eric found an intact shark tooth that is very old.  Very cool!  Too bad he was looking at it back at the Beast and said, "We need to put this someplace where it won't break.  Any ideas?"  Just then it slipped out of his hand and hit the tile (of course).  A small section broke off along the top.  Still almost intact.

Fisherman must clean their fish and return the byproduct to the body of water it was removed from.  Along Deep Creek Beach, the fisherman drop off their by product and wait for the tide to come take it out to the inlet.  The sea birds and eagles love this buffet!  The sea birds give the eagles lots of room, only occasionally attempting to sneak a nibble.  

Ninilchik has a unique way to launch the fishing boats.  The tide is extreme and very shallow.  There is no boat launch or harbor.  The boats are launched by front loaders bringing the boat out to deeper water and then the boat just floats off it's trailer.  The return is a hoot to watch.  Boats will be launching and boats will be returning all at once on a small beach.  

Another thing to do is watch repairs being done.  The men folk went out to watch the goings on of the backhoe digging a hole.  Seems the sewer lines come undone at some point to the freezing and thawing of the ground.  The result was a backup with rocks and dirt in the lines.  Roto Rooter was summoned with a camera.  Yep, there is an blockage.  Lots of digging and blowing water through and it was repaired.  It was entertaining and we had a front row seat to the event.  

  

See what I mean by not much to do?  

Gidget wondering what is beyond that red dot.

The way to the beach.  It's a quick trip down, but a bugger to get back up!

Another beautiful sunset at Scenic View RV Park.

Tomorrow is sight seeing day in old Ninilchik.  Pizza and beer await at Roscoe's Pizza in town.  

Our old neighbors in the Spring Mountains outside of Las Vegas have been evacuated from their homes dues to a huge wildfire burning.  Our thoughts are with them as they wait to return to their homes.  It made me miss being around our old friends and a little homesick.  We have been able to keep current on the latest updates thanks to Facebook and local news as well as friends keeping us up to date.  Wish we were there to help.

Til next time.... 

Homer Wrap Up

We have enjoyed our time in Homer, but alas it is time to go.  We are usually ready to move on and surprisingly Homer is no exception.  The RV Park was packed over the fourth of July as expected.  What wasn't expected was the disregard of most folks to others.  It was bat crazy with any type of vehicle being used as a base camp, (utility trailers included).  Children running around on ATV's on the beach and in the park, Slingshots being used against the eagles, bows and arrows used by a couple of 8-10 year girls trying to get the little chickadee's nesting along the beach; not to mention the dogs running amuck off leash and leaving their surprises on the beach.  The fireworks were going off everywhere and Mowgli was terrified.  It was an early to bed night, getting him under the covers so he could go to his happy place.  Now that the weekend is over, the park is back to it's pre-holiday quiet self.  A caravan came in yesterday of 23 motor homes.  It seemed a little chaotic as they all came in at once, trying to unhook towed cars and back into spots.  It was a little entertaining to watch.

We visited the Pratt Museum where they had a very nice display of whale and marine mammals that  is coming down the end of the month.  We have been wondering about the health of the bay and it seems that as recent as 10 years ago over 100 Minke Whales called this area home.  They are now gone as are the Humpbacks, Stellar Sea Lions and Seals.  The Beluga Whale has experienced a concerned decline in the area also.  They attribute it to unregulated sustenance harvesting.  Very sad to think how quickly things can change.  

View from the Pratt Museum

Old Homesteaders Cabin

They also had a small botanical garden and and Old Homesteaders cabin that has been moved to the museum.  Very small of course, but it looked like you had everything you needed.  

We paid a visit to the Homer Brewery to make our Fermentation Tour of Homer complete.  

A sampler platter

Who is the guy in the Sgt. Pepper hat?  Why is he there?

 Here's a look at our beach rock collection:

All these rocks came from the same beach.  We got a few chunks of coal and even chunks of lava that float.  One rock has a five point star on it.  I may have to get a rock tumbler!

Jalapeno Cheddar Biscuits from Two Sisters Bakery are yummy!

Old Town Homer

Crab Pots on the Spit

The Seafarers Memorial

Old Inlet Mermaid Cafe and Bookstore.  This guy had every book ever published it seemed.  They were stacked and piled everywhere!

Eagle on the beach

A stormy day

Coming in!

Gidget doesn't like the waves

The Eagles soar along the wind current

Mowgli's ready to kayak

Off they go

A pair of bald Eagles

Boardwalk FishNChips

The Beast on the Beach

There are more Eagles gathering here on the Spit.  We have sat at the front of the Beast and watched them take catch away from the seagulls.  One landed on our roof this morning.  It sounded like a helicopter plopped down on us.  Pretty funny.  Eric tried to sneak out to get a photo but he took off.  The pups give them a wide berth and are funny when they watch them fly over.  

Finally, here is a modification to an RV that would only happen on the spit.

 

The town is a mixture of fun, quirky, artistic people along with the rugged macho outdoorsman.  A very odd combination, but it works and Homer is a real fun place to visit.  We have really enjoyed it here in spite of the Fourth of July Shenanigans.  

Tomorrow we head back North to Ninilchik, only 30-40 miles away.  We will be there for a month, enjoying the bluff and views of the Volcanoes and Cook Inlet.