When you are trying to squeeze as much quality travel and RV camping as possible into a necessarily limited time-span … in my case, late spring through fall in Alaska – there are going to be days less picturesque than others.
Heck, sometimes (like today) it’s just plain cold, wet and dreary.
On the other hand, even a rainy, windy day in Alaska can be better than a sunny day someplace else – and I AM sitting right on the banks of the spectacular Kenai River.
My younger Dachshund, Rhonda, and I had just completed a fun and successful two-day Barn Hunt Trial weekend on Sunday evening and I was too tired to venture very far from the trial site. It had started raining during the last hour of the trial, making me all the more eager to be off the road.
Centennial Park Campground in Soldotna was barely ten minutes away, so I headed for this pretty, lightly wooded, river-side campground and was quickly settled in for the night.
Being Sunday night, there were plenty of campsites available. I picked a grassy site with a view of the river and was relieved to discover it was also completely level. Yay! All I needed to do was park, turn the engine off and make dinner.
I had only planned to spend one night in Soldotna, but the rain and high, gusting winds only gained strength overnight. Although the lashing rain and dripping, wind-whipped tree branches were impressive to view from the warmth of my Winnebago, I had absolutely no desire to drive a motorhome in those conditions.
Deciding caution really is sometimes the better option, I accepted that my Monday night reservation at Seward’s Waterfront RV Park was going to be forfeited. It’s only $20 (dry camping) and not worth risking my RV (or myself and Rhonda) for. Sigh.
Tomorrow is forecast to be much nicer and should offer an enjoyable drive. I may get to Seward a day late, but much less stressed.
In the meantime, although still windy here, the rain has temporarily let up, so miss Rhonda and I are going to bundle up in our wind resistant jackets and take a walk along the nicely maintained river-walk pathway.
The 1 1/2 mile walking path stretches the length of the campground to the adjacent Centennial Park day-use area and Visitor’s Center where I had spent several pleasant hours on a warm, sunny day just last week.
There are numerous side paths with viewing platforms, fishing areas and fish-cleaning stations set up, making for adventurous outings for me and the looong dog throughout the day.
We got to watch several nice size salmon being landed along the riverbank – the fish flopping on the sand held Rhonda’s interest big time!
We also checked out the boat launch ramp near our camp site, where Rhonda was pretty sure she had a chance to snag (pun intended) a curious salmon. She also wanted to nibble on a nasty-looking salmon skeleton, but since it was lurking under several inches of icy river water, it proved to be out of reach of this otherwise tenacious dachshund. She is not fond of cold water!
It’s still blowing outside, but as I settle in for the evening, I’m grateful for this day of unexpected relaxation. Sometimes you have to look a little harder for the “silver lining” under the ominous clouds, but with the right attitude, the beauty – and fun – is there to see. 🌲🦅🌲 Have a great day!
De & the Dachsies - Our Rambles 