Hope and Skilak Lake

July 20th

After a wet afternoon yesterday, this morning is clear with the promise of sun. We drove down to Hope township and Resurrection Creek where we watched fisherman catching Silver Salmon. Hope is an old gold mining town on the edge of Turnagain Arm, which was settled in the early 1900’s after the Turnagain Arm Gold Rush between 1896-98. At that time Hope City boomed while 3000 people passed through the area.

Hope still has some wonderful old buildings that can be viewed as you walk around the township. Philip got a coffee from the local cafe while I picked up a couple of second hand books for $1 each.

Leaving Hope we rejoin the Highway for a few miles before turning onto Kenai Lake Road and then Skilak Lake Scenic Route. We have heard that this road is good wildlife spotting area. Our first stop is just a mile down the road where we can walk down to the Kenai River and Canyon Overlook. Spotted two bald eagles perched in the trees across the slough from us while salmon jumped almost continually.

Back on the road and we spot a black bear just off to the side, then further on a rare sighting of a Lynx. We turn into Upper Skilak Lake Campground to check it out for tonight and spot a sow with 3 cubs playing on the verge beside the lake. This time we got pics. The cubs were so cute. As it is only just midday we continue into Soldotna passing many outfitters, river rafting guides, white water rafting guides and fishing guides. This area of the Kenai River is a renowned Salmon fishing area and when the salmon are running is packed with fisherman. In Soldontna we grab a few groceries and then head back to the campground to set up for the night.

21st July

Exit Glacier and Seward

Had a lovely drive towards Seward today, passing some great views of mountains, lakes, lily ponds and cute towns.

Stopping at Exit Glacier just a few miles before Seward. We hiked up to the Glacier Overview for some good pics of the Glacier. We have stopped here several times in the past so it was amazing to see how much it had receded from when we first visited in 2000. Previous times we had been able to walk into the base of the glacier but there is too much outflow for this to be safe now.

We are now set up in Seward for the next couple of days on a waterfront site. Philip is pleased as this is a busy waterway with all manner of fishing boats, ferries and cruise ships sailing right passed our door.