Moose – Living the Dream

8/08 – 08/10/19 Traveling north to Cooper Landing where Jackie has friends she has been in contact with who have given us recommendations on things to do and places to fish. We camped at Quartz Creek Campground next to Kenai Lake. The campground had a very nice boardwalk that looked out over the Creek where we found a large number of Sockeye Salmon spawning. The area also seemed very popular with fly fisherman as well. We rode our bikes through the woods and took Sierra for a number of long walks and swims in the Lake. Jim and Jackie got to do some gold panning in this area and found a little color! We enjoyed a really good meal at the Sunrise Inn where Jackie’s friend works. She was really great and set us up with Lures we could use to do some “Flossing”, a way to catch salmon who do not eat when they are traveling upstream. We followed her suggestions and after a missed turn and a slight detour of about 10 bumpy miles we arrived at the location she suggested only to find new signs posted “No Fishing”. Not to be deterred we pulled off the road on our way back to the campground where we had seen some other people fishing across the river and proceeded to enjoy ourselves as we caught a few Coho salmon. We took a drive another day and hiked up to the Russian River Falls where we found a massive amount of Salmon at the base of the falls trying to make their way upstream. It is amazing to watch them make these really big leaps up the falls through rushing water and even more amazing is that many succeed. On the way back from our hike we stopped again at our same fishing spot. We were told by some other fishermen that showed up that there was a brown bear up the road fishing in the river. We hopped in the truck and headed that way. Mike was able to Snap a couple of pictures but I only caught his backside heading into the woods. (Seeing a Grizzly in the wild is still on my bucket list). We still have a ways to go and places to see. I am not discouraged.

07/07 – 07/08/19 Continuing along the Alaskan Hwy. We arrived at Liard Hot Springs. Our goal for most of this trip has been the 222 rule. Cover 200 miles, or arrive by 2:00pm, or Stay 2 days. We made it up to Liard a bit later than we wanted but saw many black bears along the way. Most of them just nibbling on plants next to the road. Upon arrival we pulled in and asked the ranger if there was any room in the Campground. Again the camping fairies were with us and we got the last 3 spaces. Upon setting up Camp we grabbed our swim suits and headed for the Springs. Walking out of the Campground along an elevated boardwalk over swampy ground, we arrived at the 2 large crystal clear steaming pools. The pools are entered from a deck overlooking the pools and easy steps lead down into the them. There are 2 large changing rooms for men and women and bathrooms a short walk further up the boardwalk toward the hanging garden area of the park. The water in the upper pool is of course hotter where it bubbles up from the spring and is surrounded by little trickles of cooler water dribbling into the pool around the sides that are wonderful to sit under if you get too warm. The lower pool is still plenty warm and offers a fun little green grotto where you can swim up to a cool little waterfall coming into the pool. A sweet Cow Moose spent a while just off of the boardwalk feeding on the plants of the marsh. We finally were able to get a little Wifi at the lodge across the road from the campground and so reconnected with family after not being able to speak to them for a few days. Cell service is spotty at best throughout Canada. We were also treated to a large bull Bison who meandered along the highway, just outside the campground. Standing in the woods next to the Hwy, I was able to get a couple of good shots before I stepped on a stick and spooked him to run and causing a scare for a large group of onlookers across the road at the lodge. Oops! LOL.