Kenai Alaska and the other end of the road

We have been enjoying alternate days of sunshine and rain.  The rainy days are quiet, relaxing and a chance to catch up on little things that need to be done.  The sunny days are spent walking around town, walking around the RV Park with the pups and just sitting and enjoying the view.  We don't venture with the pups too far from the security of the RV Park as the first time we wandered farther an unleashed rottweiler decided our little dogs were in need of being ushered away from his territory.  Not a fan of large dogs especially unleashed and we are in their 'hood.  Mowgli panicked a little and had a restless rest of the night.  Gidget is used to me scooping her up whenever I see a large dog, so she didn't mind.  Wish people would take better care of their pets.  The radio has "doggone news" everyday of lost and found dogs and cats.  The segment seems to go on and on with missing dogs.  Anyway, enough of that rant....

The walking tour of Old Kenai is a nice little stroll with lots of history.  We stopped by the Cabin Park maintained by the historical society and enjoyed an impromptu history lesson on the area.  The Dena'ia people have lived in the area since the beginning of time.  They lived by the mud flats of the Kenai River below our RV Park and on this bluff where we are.  The area is of course linked to Russian explorers who came to the area in 1741.  The Russians built the their third fort in the area and the oldest buildings in the area are the Russian Orthodox chapel (built in 1906), the Orthodox Church (built in 1895) and the log rectory (built in 1886).  The United States established Fort Kenay in 1869 two years after the Alaska purchase.  Most of the Russian buildings were in disrepair by the time the American Army took over and the post was abandoned in 1871.  Commercial Salmon canneries became a significant part of the economy in the late 1800's.  Homesteading became popular in the 1940's which led to further development.  Wildwood Army base was built in 1953 and later converted to an Air Force base.  It served as a communications and Russian Surveillance base during the cold war.  Oil was discovered in 1957 with more oil discovered in the Cook Inlet in 1965.

Eric got bored with the tour and sent Mowgli to School

Holy Assumption of the Virgin Mary Russian Orthodox Church built in 1894

St Nicholas Chapel built in 1906

Fort Kenay built in 1967

Veronica's Restaurant.  One of the oldest buildings in the area, now a wonderful coffee house

This churches cross is lighted at night as a beacon for the boats in the Inlet

The Hermansen Miller house built in 1916.  Oldest frame house in Kenai.   The Hermansen's built it and was Kenai's first hospital/clinic.  My maiden name is Hermansen, so it really sparked my interest.

The Kenai fine arts center was originally the firehouse in front and the jail in the rear

Arness Cabin built in 1925 was Kenai's first kindergarten

Saunders Cabin built between 1898 and 1925.

The Miller Cabin built in 1910.  Kenaitze Chief George Miller and his wife the midwife lived in the cabin in the 1940's.  Originally was located in Kasilof. 

After the walking tour, we headed over to the Kenai Visitors Center for an afternoon concert of Hobo Jim.  Hobo Jim is Alaska's Balladeer and writes songs about Alaska.  He was good and we considered going to Soldotna to hear him sing at Hooligan's.  His last performances are this weekend as it is now fall in Alaska.  That's right, they consider this fall.  There is a chill in the air.  Anyway, back to Hobo Jim.  We have seen his signs throughout the Kenai Peninsula thinking he really gets around.  He plays from Homer to Seward and everywhere in between.  If you are up here in the summer, be sure to check him out.

An old set netter boat

An old commercial fishing boat

It was an intimate concert.  The Park host says it's really fun when beer is involved.

Speaking of beer, you know we had to go try out the local brewery Kassiks Brewery.  It was located in a residential neighborhood next to one of the junkiest yards I have seen in Alaska, that says alot.  Anyway, it was really yummy beer and we ended up buying a growler.  A growler is 64 ounces of fresh beer in a big jug.  It must be consumed within 24-48 hours of opening and we were up to the challenge.  

We had Orion's Red which was very good.  Our friends want us to pick up the Stout on our way out, so Bob and Meg we have some fresh stuff coming your way!

We took the ride to Captain Cook State Park, the other end of the road on the Peninsula.  We enjoyed a walk on the beach and looked for agates.  It was a fairly clear day so we could see the volcanoes across the Inlet.

Nikiski High School football field, home of the Rabid Dawgs

Everyday a DC4 flies overhead along with a C-17 that does practice turns.  It's really big and really loud.  Others may not like it, but we like watching it bank and doing tight turns for such a big plane.

Next to the park is a little park with awesome views of the mouth of the Kenai, the mud flats, and the volcanoes on a clear day.  We have spent lots of time there as there are hardly any people there ever.  There is grass and benches to sit and enjoy the time.  

It has been a fun filled week here in Kenai.  We have found lots to do right around Old Town.  Next week we are heading out of the Peninsula and into farm country.  The Alaska state fair is next weekend in Palmer.  We will be driving on by as we head to Mantanuska Glacier on the way to Valdez.  Valdez is our last stop before heading out of Alaska.  We have two weeks left of this part of our adventure and we are plotting our exit.  Making plans for our return to the lower 48.  Hoping to make a baseball game in Seattle and working our way down the Washington and Oregon Coast!