More Russian and Halibut Charter Fun

Our heaven on earth for a few days.  It is hard to take in the beauty of this earth.  It is magical and amazing.  I find my self awe-struck all the time.  Below are just some of the fun I caught with my camera.  I am not a photographer so some are better than others.  And the pictures can hardly do the experience justice.

The Daily Gear needed to go on our Daily Path that included several Bear sleeping quarters.  Although we never came directly into the path of a bear they left traces for us to know they were there.  Perhaps we never saw them because I was constantly waving a bell above my head and singing songs loudly or hollering "Hey Bear, Oh, Bear!".  I wanted to see a bear, but not really.  I just didn't know how I would react.  Would I run, scream, get eaten?  Would he be friendly?  I just want it to be under my terms.  No suprise visits.

We would walk under this green archway several times daily to and from the fishing holes.

This is the paths that we would follow...do you see it?  A machette would have been helpful.

The vegetation was so tall that it was nearly impossible to see beyond what was right in front of you.  It was crazy.  I'm sure that there were bears all around us constantly, but our noise kept them a safe distance.  And our singing kept them annoyed.  But we still did wish for a bear sighting (at a safe distance of course).

 

For my Arizona Family:  We found An Alaskan Cactus (If there is such a thing?)

And just as we were about to leave...while viewing the lake from the river...from behind a stump...you guessed it....BEAR!!!!  We had joked the whole time that because we were always saying, "HEY BEAR, OH BEAR!" as we walked that we needed a "code" word for the real bear.  We decided on TED!  And when the moment came.  I could hardly speak.  I was frozen.  I kept muttering, "Jess, water.  Water, Jess.  Jess.  Jess.  Water."  After being stunned and amazed I got only one shot off.  So much for TED!  The good news is that I didn't run or scream.  I froze.

It was a perfectly lovely trip to the Upper Russian Lake.  But now with bags packed and the cabin cleaned for the next guests, we said our goodbye...for this year.  And flew back home.  Below is yet another glacier and the amazingly brilliant green glacial water.

And now the adventure continues.  We landed in Lake Hood again.  Only to travel by car, back down to the Kenai for some Halibut and Salmon fishing.  You see, we could not fish for Salmon in the Upper Russian Lake.  That is where they spawn.  So we could see them but not catch them.  So a fishing we would go.  After a short 3 hour drive.

 So my photography skills failed me from this point on.  I was just enjoying the moments.  And frankly, I am not very good with the camera anyway.  However, Jess is and she caught some amazing shots.  I will now direct you to her blog where you can see Float Plane, Upper Russian, and Last of Alaska.  I did however, steal some of the pictures of our halibut and salmon fishing for your enjoyment.  WARNING:  Her blog will make you want to have your own adventure in Alaska.  I'm fine with it as long as I can enjoy it with you! 

Jess caught the first fish.  So she got to kiss the fish.  It was said to bring us good luck.

I caught a big one so true to form...I got to kiss it also.  It was so much fun! (The trip, not kissing the fish.  Pictures I think prove my "joy" in this tradition.)  I loved every bit of the experience.  I even started baiting others lines on the boat.  It was a fantastic experience. Learning how to do things is always exciting to me.  I will gladly do it again and again.  The group we went out with was amazing. Captain Travis and his one man crew were excellent.  Wish we lived closer to them. 

 

I seriously had such a blast with this girl!  We made some amazing memories.  I couldn't think of a way to make it any better.  We didn't get sick even after only getting a few hour of sleep.  The boys fished like crazy.  They could have and would have fished more if we had let them.  But alas, it was time to head home and process our catches.  So we did.  I should have gotten a picture of the freezer full of fish but I didn't.  But below is some of the catch pre-process courtesy of our kitchen table.

Admittedly, this was a memory of a lifetime.  It was a treasured experience that I will not easily forget.  I am grateful for the opportunity to experience these wonderful places.  I get excited about sharing them with my kids next year and in the many years to come.  I love Alaska!!!