Hours and hours of on-line research led me to the conclusion that a motor home rental would be the most cost-effective and interesting manner from which to launch our expedition. We eventually decided on a 32 foot Winnebago from Great Alaskan Holidays, and could not have been happier. We flew in to Anchorage on July 31, rented a car, and checked in to the brand new Crown Plaza of Anchorage. Zach flew in a few hours later, and Hunter met him at the airport gate with a big hug and a heartfelt "Welcome Home". Already, my boys were loving life in Anchorage.
After a night at the Crown Plaza, we spent all day seeing the sights that Anchorage has to offer. It is a beautiful city, and the early August 1 weather was phenomenal. 61 degrees, even a little sunshine. Monday, bright and early, we picked up our coach, watched a thirty minute film on how not to wreck it, and headed off for Cooper Landing. Kenai River RV Park was our destination for the next three nights (although next time we may try Kenai Princess). Tuesday morning, we met Billy from Alaska Troutfitters for a day of salmon and trout fishing. Many large salmon (four of which we kept and ate for the next two weeks) and a few nice trout later, we headed back to the RV. Sockeye fishing, in my book, is kind of an odd hybrid type of flyfishing-really more like fly snagging. Nevertheless, it was a great way to spend the day. The next day, Hunt and Zach took off with Dusty (Billy's wife) for a traditional drift fishing trip down the upper Kenai. The fishing was slow, although Hunter did take a huge rainbow of about twenty eight inches. On Wednesday, we slept in and then fished on our own up at Quartz Creek, a few miles north of Cooper Landing. This is where Tam caught the huge sockeye while using a five-weight for dollies. Probably the fish of the trip. The boys caught a few trout, dollies and rainbows, and the dad struck out.
Thursday, we headed north back through Anchorage (and Wasilla) up to Talkeetna. When I die, I want to go to Talkeetna in the summer and eat Crab Pizza for all eternity. After lunch, we headed up to Montana Creek RV Park. Montana Creek was just what we had in mind-clearwater traditional fly fishing (mostly purple egg-sucking leech pattern) for innumerable pinks, chums, and a few Silvers. Even the dad caught a few. Our next door neighbors in the park were actually a couple from Mount Pleasant, Texas-they will be in Denison's district next year!!! Small world.
After a few days at Montana Creek, we took of north again to the Cantwell RV Park, just on the outskirts of Denali Wilderness. They say there is a big tall mountain there, but we never saw it. We fished the Jack River for grayling (caught none) ate blueberries off the bush in the tundra (everyone should walk on the tundra once in their life) and visited the shops of Denali before heading up to the park. The park was, without doubt, spectacular.
All too soon, two weeks are up, and it's back to the airport and home to Texas and 106 degree heat. Saturday afternoon, we proudly watched as Zachary Mark strolled across the stage at UNT and was granted his Bachelor's Degree. We were so proud-that's kind of a big deal-and were so glad we made it home for the ceremony. Thanks to Tam for getting our flights changed at the absolute last moment and getting us home in time.
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