Where Are All The People?

If solitude is what you were hoping to find, this is the summer to be in Alaska. We just returned from an Alaskan Cruise via Holland America and expected to see the bumper to bumper traffic that is the normal on a Sunday afternoon drive along the Seward Highway. Well it was more like a quiet drive through the backcountry some 30 years ago as there were no and I do repeat no motorhomes on the roads and traffic was so sparce you had to wonder if the Peninsula was under quarintine. Where are all the people? Locals, visitors, business people... Where have they all gone?
Moose Pass and Cooper Landing were vacant of people, Sterling was all asleep and the sidewalks had been rolled up at 6 pm, Soldotna was more like a ghost town then the major destenation of sportsmen from around the globe.. Where are all the people?

Campgrounds completely empty, lodges without clients, gas stations without lines, this is far worse then anything the tourism folks from the borough were telling us to prepare for. If this is a sample of the summer to come, the woes of the lower 48 recession are about to find the Kenai in a big way.

I wonder. Has all the bad publicity the past few years scared people away? Have people gotten tired of the harassment from the fish cops when all your doing is trying to enjoy the outdoors with your family and fish for a few reds at the same time. Have we chased away the local families and lost the tourism sector all at the same time? God help us...

And while were here, I would like to thank the kids that road their four wheelers through our lawn that was just mowed before we left home the other day. This area was part of the roadside hydroseeding project when South Miller Road was repaved a few years back. Well add it to the other areas as waisted money by the Kenai Peninsula Borough. I realize the ruts are two feet deep from their spring floggins but really folks, through the lawn areas. What can you say, it is Nikiski after all... See the post Alaska Enviromental Disaster

Alaska Highway

The Alaska Highway may be the ticket to visiting Alaska in 2009. Gas prices have fallen to acceptable prices, the US Canadian Dollar exchange rate is back to to a favorable pre-recession level and there is an expected low number of Americans traveling the Alaska Highway in their motorhomes this summer.

What should this mean to you, well, if you're one of the ones that decides to drive to Alaska in 2009 you should find plenty of the best campgrounds and many of the top attractions available on a drive up and check in basis this summer. When the RV traffic is high, there is often a need to make reservation if there accepted or to stop early if you hope to find many campsites open. Reservations at many of the Good Sam Club member sites can be made through their website and should be done at least one day in advance. We always carry a laptop as most private campgrounds have wifi available as do many of the public libraries along the way.

Driving the 2,300 miles of the Alaska Highway is always an adventure but don't let the stories of the past scare you from experiencing this fantastic journey. The highway is kept in excellent shape compared to any far northern highway. Yes, there is still the occational whoopty-doo, pot hole and in some areas of construction, a short patch of gravel road but it's a far cry from the old military road it once was. On any stretch of the highway you are likely to see sports cars, RV's, trailers, motorcycles and bicycles all experiencing the same adventure, The Alaska Highway.

2009 Alaska Tourist Season Looking Bleak

What's happening with the summer 2009 tourist season? If the news about the poor Alaska salmon fishing season forecast coupled with the rash of canceled reservations from visitors wasn't enough, now we have the cruise industry pulling some of their cruise ships from the Alaskan market this summer and many other Alaska cruises that would have visited Seward from Holland America are being rerouted through Kodiak, Homer, and Anchorage in 2010. The disturbing side of this comes in the fact that these Seward cruise ship visits either begin or terminate at this port bringing tens of thousands of tourists to Alaska each year that go on to visit other areas of the state. The new routes have round trip schedules returning to Seattle with their passengers and eliminating the massive shore based tourism markets in favor of short dockings of mere hours in these new ports. The changes in the Alaska cruise industry are a direct result of the "challenging" economic climate put forth to the cruise industry by the Alaskan government. Citing an increase to the already high port fees, the new Alaskan cruise tax of $50 per passenger and tax on corporate earnings and gambling revenues as factors for effecting 73 sailings by five cruise lines starting in 2009 and 2010 with the possibility that even deeper cuts could come in 2011, OUCH.

Possibility the hardest part of this dilemma with the cruise industry is the fact it was self inflicted. Yes, a direct result of the the 2007 Alaska Cruise Ship Initiative, Ballot Measure 2, voted on by, yes you got it, Alaskans, the cruise industry can no longer fill all the vessels with the new pricing that reflects the additional taxes.

And now, if this above combined with a very week economy wasn't enough, Mount Redoubt is again rumbling, spitting and spewing it's threats of even more spectacular eruptions in the next few days. Alaskans are preparing for another round of flight delays at the Anchorage Airport as well as our small municipal airports here on the Kenai. We were caught and stranded for days in the turmoil of the last group of canceled flights, rebookings, and more canceled flights while trying to get our son back to college in Seattle in January. He finally arrived three days late, and missing the first two days of his spring semester.

For travelers arriving or departing Alaska on the airlines this summer, this translates into some great uncertainty about itineraries, schedule dates, deposits and just getting back home in time for work. Not a good scenario to plan a relaxing vacation around by anyone's standards. We feel sorry for those calling to cancel their vacations after loosing their jobs. And we also feel for those effected by this corrupted society of business CEO's and government officials looking to profit at the expenses of a country in peril. But our thoughts and prayers also are extended to the small business owners like ourselves that are becoming worried about what the future holds and how we are going to keep the lights burning in the near future.

Environmental Disaster In The Making & Fourwheelers From Hell.

It never fails to amaze me at just how wasteful our local governments can be. One drive along any of the roads around the Kenai, Soldotna or heaven forbid, Nikiski areas and some very sad sights are front and center. First off is all the old rusty cars and trucks that adorn the yards of the local residents of the Kenai Peninsula; but then it does blend in well with all the roadside trash (Alaska Wildflowers) that flys out of the uncovered pickups hauling their household gargage to the local landfills. Can you imagine if anyone were to do this in a residential area of Washington, Oregon or any of the other pristine states. I can tell you it would not be tolerated even for a day. We moved here to the North Kenai area 6 years ago from Anacortes Washington where people have and show a lot of pride in their homes and communities.

Now, living in Nikiski and seeing this area as the snow dissipates each spring, we feel shamed to no end. A total classless society of poorly educated children languishing at the bottom of socially neglected society. The damning verdict of growing up in the rust belt of the Kenai Peninsula today.

Aside from the utterly disgraceful eyesores of twisted and rusted metal, there is still more disappointment waiting those who open their eyes on the Kenai. Here is a place with absolutely no conscience or pride. For years as our roads have been repaired around the borough contractors have been hired to groom and then hydroseed the sides of the roads to enhance the beauty of our ailing area. One would think that this action would instill some pride in our selves and in our neighbors but this has not been the outcome at all. Residents of all ages, young and old, mount their four wheeled assault vehicles and rip and tear at the purposely groomed easements demolishing all traces of the beautification projects paid for by the taxpayers. This senseless destruction goes unnoticed by many and unpunished by all. As a matter of record, it's a completely legal act of disrespect for the labors and dollars of those that carry out as well as those paying for the projects. It leads one to contemplate as to why we are even making the attempt to enhance the area when there are so many other areas where the dollars could easily be spent.

Deeply rutted scars parallel the roads of the Kenai leaving a muddy mess that completely eliminates the ability for a family to walk to their mailboxes or take an evening stroll. These scars seemingly go unnoticed by locals and shamefully photographed by those visiting the area. It's a total disgrace that show the total lack of respect for one another as well as for ones home.

In front of our own home, we have spent thousands of dollars in top soil and soil conditioning, fertilizers and weed killers, mowing and thatching in every effort to groom the landscape into a delicate picture of Alaskan countryside. All of this just to have kids and adults alike drive their two, four and six wheeled thunder at excessive rates greatly exceeding any safe or prudent speeds, flying across roads and driveways without using reasonable care or caution. But then, these people are just exercising their rights to use our lands for their pleasure in any way they deem fit. But what about our rights as landowners and taxpayers? Don't we get a say in how these lands are being used? What's you opinion and how do you feel on this subject? Some of us would really like to know.

Danger Awaits On The Kenai in 2009

Come To Kenai On Vacation - Leave On Probation.
Alaska State Troopers along with the City of Kenai Police Dept. have given warning for everyone planning to visit the Kenai Peninsula this summer. Along with the "Click It Or Ticket" revenue generator, for 2009 they are adding additional Troopers and Police to write more tickets for speeding, trespassing on beaches, sportfishing infractions and such. Three additional police officers are being added in Kenai to patrol the dipnetting areas of the Kenai River and to pass out tickets for ALL infractions. Parking is limited around these areas and fees are being charged anytime you stop and exit your vehicle.

Just as a reminder to all. The speed limit on the Spur Highway between Soldotna and Kenai is 55 mph up to the time it widens to 4 lanes. From that point the speed limit drops to 45 mph and is strictly enforced. Radar is active all hours of the day so watch your speed. This area is easy to forget as it is located outside the main areas of either town.
Also, ALL DOGS must be on leash when inside the city limits or on the beaches, fines are passed out for this too.

Visitors be warned, city of Kenai revenues are down and every effort to close the budget deficit is being employed this summer and You Are In The Crosshairs.

But even with all this said, Kenai is still playing second fiddle to this Loco Police Department.

Redoubt Volcano Alaska

On Sunday, January 25, 2009, we were abruptly shaken by a fairly strong earth quake reported to have been in the 6.2 magnitude range in the Kenai Area. This was followed by the warnings from the Alaska Volcano Observatory that the possibility of an eruption of Mount Redoubt Volcano is quite possible in the next few days.

The last time Mount Redoubt erupted was back in December of 1989 and it was quite a show. We had just moved to Kenai at the time from Anchorage and remember this event very well. There was a fair amount of ash everywhere on the west side of the Kenai Peninsula and on up into the Anchorage area.

Today, January 28, 2009, the folks at the Alaska Volcano Observatory are still cautioning everyone that the possibility of an eruption is likely and to keep your disaster preparedness kits close by at all times. Here is an interesting prospective from the folks at the Alaska Volcano Observatory. I recieved this in my email this morning. Redoubt Volcano 60°29'7" N 152°44'38" W, Summit Elevation 10197 ft (3108 m) Current Volcano Alert Level: WATCH Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE Summary of Current Unrest Since last fall, the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) has detected increasing volcanic unrest at Redoubt Volcano. Starting on Friday, January 23, the level of seismic activity increased markedly, and on Sunday AVO raised the Aviation Color Code to ORANGE and the Volcano Alert Level to WATCH. On the basis of all available monitoring data AVO regards that an eruption similar to or smaller than the one that occurred in 1989-90 is the most probable outcome. We expect such an eruption to occur within days to weeks. In response to the current increase in activity, AVO has deployed a web camera approximately 7.5 miles north-northwest of the summit and will install additional seismic equipment at the volcano as weather permits. A second web camera also is pointed at Redoubt from a platform within Cook Inlet. The observatory in Anchorage is currently staffed 24 hours a day. We plan continued visual surveillance of the volcano's summit region, frequent airborne measurements of gas output, and frequent analysis of satellite and weather-radar data. Observations and Background Beginning in September 2008, AVO received reports of a strong hydrogen sulfide (H2S) odor downwind of Redoubt. During an observation flight on September 26, a melt hole was observed in the upper Drift glacier, down slope from the location of historical eruptive vents. Gas-measurements flights in October and November detected elevated levels of sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon dioxide (CO2), and H2S. Through the fall, melt holes increased in size, and several points of steaming and gas emissions were observed in the area of the lava domes extruded during the 1989-90 and 1966-68 eruptions. Concurrent with visual observations and gas data, a subtle increase in seismic activity was also detected beneath the volcano. Seismicity took the form of episodic, very weak volcanic tremor, consistent with the movement of fluids and gases within the volcano. AVO also located deep (30 km, or 19 miles, below sea level) long-period earthquakes, which were few in number but possibly indicative of magma recharge deep within Redoubt's plumbing system. Beginning on the evening of Friday, January 23, 2009, seismic activity increased at stations closest to Redoubt's summit. The seismicity consists of a combination of discrete, relatively small earthquakes and periods of more continuous volcanic tremor. This activity intensified early Sunday morning, January 25, at which time AVO raised the Aviation Color Code to ORANGE and the Volcano Alert Level to WATCH. Since Sunday, seismicity has waxed and waned but has remained well above background levels. The seismic unrest observed over the past few days is unusual for Redoubt and has not been seen since just prior to the 1989-90 eruption. Overflights on January 26 and 27 documented continued production of water vapor and volcanic gas plumes from the summit crater; increased melting has produced small flows of debris at the north base of the volcano. The most recent eruptions of Redoubt, in 1966-68 and 1989-90, were characterized by large explosions that produced ash clouds reaching as high as 40,000 ft asl. During the 1989-90 eruption, the largest ash fall from a single event in Kenai was 5 millimeters (0.2 inches), but ash fall was widespread and noted as far away as Fairbanks, along the Richardson Highway, and the Yukon Territory border. Other ash-producing events during the 1989-90 eruption deposited several millimeters of ash on the Kenai Peninsula and trace amounts of ash in Anchorage and more distant locations over several months. The 1989-90 eruption also several disrupted air traffic operations in and out of Anchorage. Other hazards from past and likely future eruptions include hot pyroclastic flows that may travel several miles from the volcano, especially to the north, and volcanic mudflows, or lahars, that travel many miles from their source. Lahars form as hot pyroclastic flows, often caused by collapse of a growing lava dome, swiftly melt large volumes of snow and ice downslope of the summit crater. In 1989-90, lahars flowed east down the Drift River, at least three of which reached Cook Inlet and one of which partially flooded the Drift River Oil Terminal facility. Lahars produced by eruptions of Redoubt Volcano may range from dense, gravel-rich flows to watery, sediment-laden floods. All such flows can transport boulder-size particles, and water within these flows temporarily may be at boiling temperatures. It could take a typical lahar 1-2 hours to travel from the base of the volcano to the mouth of the Drift River. Interpretation and Hazards Based on our current understanding of Redoubt's past eruptions, both historical and from the geologic record, and our analysis of the current episode of unrest, AVO considers the following future scenarios as possible:

1. Failed Eruption: No eruption occurs because magma does not reach the
   surface. Earthquake activity, gas output, and steaming slowly decrease over
   several weeks or months. Continued heat flux may cause continued, modest
   melting of snow and ice on the edifice and subsequent increased, but not
   hazardous outflow into the Drift River.


2. Eruption similar to or smaller than 1989-90: Unrest continues to escalate
   culminating in an eruption that is similar to or smaller than the one that
   occurred in 1989-90. An eruption such as this would likely spread volcanic
   ash throughout Cook Inlet and other parts of south-central Alaska depending
   upon the prevailing winds. Communities around the volcano, especially to the
   east, northeast, and southeast, would likely experience trace to several millimeters
   (less than 0.4 inches) of ash fall as a result of discrete explosive events.
   Such events could also generate pyroclastic flows that swiftly melt snow and
   ice to form mudflows, or lahars, that would likely travel east down Drift River,
   possibly reaching and flowing into Cook Inlet. If summit lava domes form, as
   they did in 1989-90, they may repeatedly collapse and generate pyroclastic
   flows that would likely travel north from the summit crater and form lahars.
   Smaller lahars could also form in other drainages if hot debris accumulated
   on other flanks of the volcano. An eruption consisting of multiple explosive
   events, episodic lava-dome growth and collapse, and lahars may last weeks to
   months.


3. Larger Explosive Eruption: A significantly larger eruption could occur, perhaps
   similar to eruptions that are thought to have taken place prehistorically.
   Such an eruption might involve the production of larger ash clouds, pyroclastic
   flows on several flanks of the volcano, and larger lahars more frequently reaching
   Cook Inlet down Drift River and affecting other drainages around the volcano
   as well.


4. Flank Collapse: The intruding magma or other processes could destabilize
   a portion of the Redoubt edifice that could result in a large volcanic landslide.
   At least twice in the last 10,000 years, debris flows generated by such landslides
   have reached Cook Inlet. It is also likely that a landslide of this type would
   be accompanied by an eruption. Because of the scarcity of these events in the
   geologic record, a flank collapse and eruption is considered very unlikely.
   A flank collapse may be accompanied by visible deformation of the edifice and
   AVO will be looking for such signs.

Based on all available monitoring data and AVOs knowledge of the volcano, scenario number two, an eruption similar to or smaller than that of 1989-90, appears to be the most probable outcome at this time. We consider one and three to be somewhat less likely, and scenario four to be much less likely.

Comparing the time frame of pre-eruptive activity in 1989-90 (the only other eruption for which seismic data were available) with the current unrest, we would expect such an eruption to begin within the next few days or weeks. It is likely that the onset of an explosive eruption would be preceded by a further increase in seismicity. An explosive eruption would be accompanied by a sharp increase in seismicity. Should earthquake activity or other monitoring data suggest that an eruption is expected within hours, or is underway, AVO would move Redoubt from its current Aviation Color Code ORANGE to RED, and Alert Level WATCH to WARNING.

More information about Redoubt Volcano can be found at http://www.avo.alaska.edu/activity/Redoubt.php

Mount Augustine Volcano Erupts.

This morning we woke up to news that our Quiet Giant resting in the entrance to Cook Inlet had awoken and spewed ash to 30,000 feet. As it's still dark here in Alaska, a visual confirmation is still not possible of the extent of and ash headed up the inlet towards our location. Homer, Port Graham, English Bay, and Seldovia are just a few miles away and will be reporting back to the Alaska Volcano Observatory as daybreak awakes here in the Last Frontier. You can view the Volcano Webcam for up to the minute images of the volcano activies.

February 01 2006
The rumbling giant just refuses to quiet down. Went to Homer yesterday to photograph the eagles on the Homer Spit. The air in the area had a sulfur odor from Augustine that was somewhat unpleasant. The odor wasn't bothering the eagles as they lined the outer beaches on the Homer Spit. There was some ash in the air but nothing that would bother you much.
I hope everyone is ready for the Superbowl Sunday. Should be a very good game from two excellent football teams.
To both the Seattle Seahawks and the Pittsburgh Steelers, congratulations on achieving the grand daddy of sporting events. We here in the Frozen Frigid North wish you all a safe and memorable game. We are very proud of how everyone has risen to a level of excellence both on and off the field. As a father, I am proud to have my two boys look up to such an outstanding group of men. Thanks for setting this fine example of leadership for the youth following in your footsteps.
Now if Super Sunday would just hurry up and get here!

Memorial Day 2005

We headed off to Hidden Lake for some relaxing boat camping with the new puppy. Leaving Kenai the weather wasn't looking favorable but upon reaching Sterling Alaska it had cleared up and the rain had stopped. We arrived at the boat launch at around 9 AM and were under way by 10. Hidden Lake is a federal campground and there was no launch fee nor parking fee. This was a real nice surprise as most all State of Alaska Campgrounds have raised there fees over the winter.

The lake was calm on the lower leg and only a mild northerly chop was present past the first island. We decided to play around for awhile as we tested out the new boat and broke in the new engine. After three hours of idling and light cruising at 2000 rpm we tested the boat for planing times, cruise speeds and full throttle operation.

Getting on step was a breeze but cruise speeds noted the need for 4500 - 4800 RPM to lift the stern. We had been somewhat skeptical about a 90 HP engine on a boat this size and this confirmed our apprehensions when we purchased the boat. With full fuel, 4 people in the boat and gear, there was just to much weight for the small Honda four stroke to push.

We took it easy on the motor and spent most of the time exploring the scenery along the beaches and on the islands. At one such stop along the southern shoreline, I nosed the boat to shore, jumped out and tied of the bow to a stump. There were some twigs on a branch that overhung the bow so I broke them off to allow my wife and kids to get out without scraping their heads. As I broke off thew first branch there was a heavy thud of crushing deadfall directly behind me. I looked at my wife and asked, Did you hear that? The look on here face alone confirmed that se had indeed and I requested rather sternly that she lower and start the engine as I untied the boat and shoved off. Deb backed us away and turned the boat to motored out from shore. Needless to say we went looking for a more open area to get out and stretch our legs.

Hidden Lake is located off Skilak Lake Road on the Kenai Peninsula. This large clear lake is one of the most beautiful on the Kenai and well worth checking into. If camping with a family, don't pass this one by.