July 20, Ninilchik to Wasilla

July 20  It was time to leave Ninilchik and go back to Wasilla for our on-duty days.  Ninilchik was OK, but it would have been much better had the weather cooperated and Peggy and I had gone halibut fishing.

But we had a very good time in Homer and the Homer Spit.  There was a lot to see and do there, and we especially enjoyed our wildlife tour boat ride to Seldovia.  So, all in all, it was a very worthwhile trip.  And, we can always go back and try our luck at halibut fishing again.

The drive back to Wasilla was rather uneventful.  We could not get over how crazy things get when the salmon are running.  Salmon fishermen call a 1-800 number to get the latest on the salmon runs: from which areas of streams and rivers are open (or not) to salmon fishing, to a timetable indicating when the salmon will be at a location, to how many salmon can be expected in that particular run. And from one day to the next that information changes.  There is much to know to legally fish for salmon here.  One advantage that Alaskans have over non-resident fishermen is Alaskans can use a dip net to fish for salmon!  This creates a great advantage for them!

When we crossed the Kenai River at Soldotna the fishermen were standing nearly shoulder to shoulder at the water's edge trying to fish.  That, plus having to know the rivers, streams, what is open and what is closed to fishing, etc., pretty much turned me off to salmon fishing.  Give me a boat, a rod, reel, and bait, and just let me fish- thus my attraction to halibut fishing!

We were astonished at the traffic going the opposite direction we were traveling on the Sterling and Seward Highways.  Cars, trucks, RVs, boats on trailers, etc., were all heading away from the Anchorage area down the Kenai Peninsula towards Homer.  Luckily, we went towards Anchorage and on to Wasilla so we did not have to contend with the nearly bumper to bumper crowds.

I know on Facebook I referred to getting to Anderson Lake near Wasilla as coming "home".  But that's what it feels like.  The Chapman's, our hosts, treat us like neighbors, and we have the comforts in our 5th wheel RV so that it feels like our home.

Returning to Anderson Lake, our "Home" away from Home

Once we got set up and had visited with Grant and Amy about our happenings, Peggy and I went grocery shopping.  After a dinner of enchiladas we settled down for the evening and called it a day.