by Jenni McGrady (10/04)
An unrelated recent reader inquiry was received from an RVer who lives in Kenai, Alaska. Since we're planning on being in that area next summer, we responded with a few questions of our own. Jenni was nice enough to provide some thoughtful answers, and we thought we'd share those here with our readers.
Q1: Since you're a "real Alaskan", and know the Kenai area so well, what are the top few "don't miss" things to do and see while we're in the area?
Many things come to mind, but one of them would be to try your hand at fishing for a Kenai River King. The world record King Salmon came out of this river in (memory don't fail me now...) 1995. (97-1/2 #) Ninety seven and one-half pounds...yes that's right, larger than most dogs, and you need six men and a mule to get it into the boat! For the women, we have the largest quilting fabric store in Alaska. Kenai Fabric sells and teaches all things quilt; no women would be bored here while hubby spends the day on the water!
Homer is another attraction all in itself! The Homer Spit is likened to Cape Cod in it's earlier days. Many boardwalks, with cute little shops selling anything and everything from candy/icecream to fishing tackle and hand-made sweaters. Right now I think another RV park just opened on the spit. It will hold more than 100, the small one has been there for a few years and only holds a handful. Of course, if you've a mind to, you can dry camp right on the beach! The little fires blazing all up and down the spit at night look like twinkling stars. Tent campers are allowed also. If this option is chosen, there are no rules, and no size dimensions. The city of Homer is trying to get camping off the beach, but for now, it's still legal.
When you drive from Kenai to Homer, you will drive thru the small town of Ninilchik. The oldest one on the Kenai. Russians came to this town in the 1700's, started a school and married some of the natives (the ones that wern't slaves...), and started populating the entire Kenai Peninsula. The Russian Church in Kenai, and Ninilchik are of this era; my own opinion is: the colorful paint they apply on a regular basis is what's holding them together!
Q2 We had a recommendation to a Kenai RV park called "Kyllonen". Are you familiar with it?
I have not had any experience with that park. I used to know the people (that run Kyllonen's) when I was still very young and so were they, so my opinion on this subject would be invalid. But since it's only a few miles down the road, I would be happy to check it out and send digital pictures!
Q3-Do you happen to know if any of the parks in your area offer either dial-up or high speed connections for their guests?
High speed internet is a high priority thing here in Alaska. To us, we have always had to order our clothes and other sundries since as far back as I can remember. It's very important for us to stay in touch with the world. Most of the RV parks/hotels/motels have already converted to high speed; if not wireless. Soldotna has an internet cafe in a strip mall w/Papa Murphy's Pizza. Kenai does not have one yet. Am not sure about Homer, but I think that answer would be yes, it does have an internet cafe.
Q4-when is the best time to visit the Kenai peninsula?
The best time to visit the Kenai Peninsula would be in the Spring to late spring. The weather is nice, sunny, not raining. This past summer was the best that we have had in years. If you chose to be here any time during the 2004 summer it was very nice. Snow is usually all gone by April, and usually rain starts in August and continue's right thru hunting season (Sept 20). Then the snow starts....This summer the rains did not start until the end of hunting season....however, it's still raining as I write this (Oct 20). Hubby and I drove to Anchorage yesterday, and drove thru snow in the mountain pass...not much, but enough to let you know that it will be here sooner than later!