This year we included the Kenai Peninsula on our itinerary, largely because we really hadn't done much there on prior trips. Last summer much of Alaska was on fire . . . literally, With one of the hottest summers ever and wildfires raging out of control, several areas of the Kenai were devastated. The photo above was taken inside the Skilak State Recreational Area (part of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge) where we stopped for the night as we made our way down to Homer. You can see how the trees were destroyed, and yet the fireweed was already growing back.
When we left Denali National Park on Friday morning, we weren't really sure how far we would make it before wanting to stop for the night. While I had noted Skilak as "pristine bear country" in our Guidepost road book, I really didn't think we'd get that far. But amazingly, David continued to drive into the evening landing us at one of their two campgrounds around 10pm.
When we left Denali National Park on Friday morning, we weren't really sure how far we would make it before wanting to stop for the night. While I had noted Skilak as "pristine bear country" in our Guidepost road book, I really didn't think we'd get that far. But amazingly, David continued to drive into the evening landing us at one of their two campgrounds around 10pm.
While all of the "general use" campsites were filled, we were fortunate to be able to score a "handicap" site. WHO KNEW? David had suggested we bring my handicap placqard just in case we needed it, but I scoffed at the thought. After all, handicapped parking spaces do little good for a 29' beast of a motorhome! We were able to register using my Federal Access Pass, allowing us to camp in a handicap designed campsite!
There is a gravel loop road through Skilak State Recreational Area, much of which was washerboard . . . but going slow (under 20 mph) we rolled through safely and without incident. Unfortunately we did not see ANY wildlife . . . zero . . . zip . . . nada! I was pretty bummed by that but I did enjoy the roll through anyway.
Some of the scenery was very beautiful especially when the elevation provide views like this!
On Saturday morning, we continued our trek on down the Kenai Peninsula to Homer. We did not make a campground reservation, not knowing if we would actually make it to Homer, or if we might opt to boondock there. As we got closer, we started to look into campgrounds on the Homer Spit. With the pandemic, I assumed it would be pretty easy to find a campsite rather last minute. While not a big mistake, it could have been had we waited another couple of hours to start thinking about possibly making a reservation.
There are a couple of campgrounds on the spit. One (Heritage RV Park) had plenty of space still available, but priced at $70+ for a site with hook ups! YIKES!! The other campground where we ended up booking was appropriately named the Homer Spit Campground. We paid around $44 (including tax) for our site, which we booked by phone at 2pm that afternoon. By the time we arrived around 3:30pm, they were close to full so we were happy we were able to call ahead.
The campground was nothing specially other than being on the Kachemak Bay with a beautiful view of the Grewingk Glacier across the water. When we arrived in Homer, it was sunny and clear, but I wasn't able to snap a photo as we rolled into town. My hope was to stop on the way out the next day to get my photo. It was very overcast and rainy, however, preventing me for getting any photos of the glacier. I'm still bummed!
On Saturday morning, we continued our trek on down the Kenai Peninsula to Homer. We did not make a campground reservation, not knowing if we would actually make it to Homer, or if we might opt to boondock there. As we got closer, we started to look into campgrounds on the Homer Spit. With the pandemic, I assumed it would be pretty easy to find a campsite rather last minute. While not a big mistake, it could have been had we waited another couple of hours to start thinking about possibly making a reservation.
There are a couple of campgrounds on the spit. One (Heritage RV Park) had plenty of space still available, but priced at $70+ for a site with hook ups! YIKES!! The other campground where we ended up booking was appropriately named the Homer Spit Campground. We paid around $44 (including tax) for our site, which we booked by phone at 2pm that afternoon. By the time we arrived around 3:30pm, they were close to full so we were happy we were able to call ahead.
The campground was nothing specially other than being on the Kachemak Bay with a beautiful view of the Grewingk Glacier across the water. When we arrived in Homer, it was sunny and clear, but I wasn't able to snap a photo as we rolled into town. My hope was to stop on the way out the next day to get my photo. It was very overcast and rainy, however, preventing me for getting any photos of the glacier. I'm still bummed!
There was one big HOLE in our trip this year, something "new" that I had really hoped to be able to check off my personal bucket list . . . Katmai National Park and Brooks Falls.
We had originally built four days/three nights into our two week vacation, planning to fly from Anchorage over to King Salmon where we'd stay for the three nights. The plan was to take the relatively new water taxi service over to Brooks Falls as two day-trips to watch the bears of Katmai do what they are so famous for doing . . . fishing & eating at the falls as the salmon swim upstream. This year has been especially exciting to watch on their livestream because of the relatively few visitors plus the number of bears and cubs in the area this summer.
Unfortunately, the service vendor Katmai Water Taxi decided to not operate this year due to the COVID pandemic. I can fully understand AND appreciate wanting to protect this small rural village. With very little in the way of resources and medical facilities, and outbreak could be devastating. BUT this vendor also decided to not issue any refunds under their "NO REFUNDS PERIOD" policy . . . instead telling guests who had booked and prepaid to file claims against their travel insurance. Our travel insurance company TravelEx said such an incident is not covered. Seriously . . . why would it be? The vendor cancelled. It wasn't like we had to cancel because we couldn't travel or got sick.
What a bogus bunch of BS that is! Not only did his cancellation cost us the $780 paid to him, but we also had to cancel the other travel logistics of the trip including our lodging reservation (which also had a non-refundable payment on account) and our round-trip flight from Anchorage on Alaska Air.
Antlers Inn in King Salmon was very understanding, and did provide us with a full refund of our deposit, even though they had no reason to do so other than being understanding of our bad situation thanks to Katmai Water Taxi.
Alaska Air was not as sympathetic to our problem. So rather than refunding the $716 for the two round-trip fares, they provided us with travel vouchers good until the summer of 2021. I just hope they survive this pandemic and we're somehow able to use the vouchers. Personally, I don't see it happening so that may be a bunch of money we're out because of this sketchy transportation vendor. Personally, nothing would make me happier than to see them lose their concessionaire rights with the National Park Service!
The whole situation put a grey cloud over the trip, leaving me feeling unfulfilled and angry at the same time. I am still hopeful our efforts through our credit card company, the Alaska Attorney General's office and the Better Business Bureau will be successful in getting the $780 back from these terrible and unscrupulous people.
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