Traveling Weather

If you don’t like the weather at home, go somewhere else. It doesn’t necessarily mean the weather will be any better there, but the view will change.

So, after several days of almost monsoon-worthy rainstorms, one following on the soggy heels of the last, I was definitely ready for a change.

Besides, Ronni says her feet (freshly manicured) were at risk of developing foot rot from peeing on wet grass. I know, I know … serious over-kill and not a gram of truth to her words, but she sincerely hates wet feet, and feels she deserves sympathy.

After loading Roada up with essentials (rain gear, umbrella, rain boots, etc.), we hit the road heading south.

Since there was a brief lull in the rain, I took advantage of it to hit the local Chevron station to dump tanks. When boondocking, which we will be doing all week, it’s best to start with empty black/gray tanks and a full propane tank.

The drive got pretty sketchy only an hour in. As we passed Potter’s Marsh and made the first big turn towards Turnagain Arm, the rain had stopped but the wind now punched at us like a drunken sailor. See? I told you the weather would change.

Grateful for Roada’s overall stability, I still had to pay attention to keep her on the curvy and narrow as we rounded the cliffs and took the buffeting gusts head on. If this tells you anything about the wind, I was happy to see “Flagman ahead – be prepared to stop” signs. A long line of idling vehicles were now in view, so I took my place and shifted into park with a sigh of relief.

Rain and wind may come and go, but construction season is a constant in Alaska. You can count on it. In this case, the construction zone encompassed about eight miles of some of the most exposed, wind-vulnerable sections of this highway, and I was more than happy to take it at the required 45 mph, once we got moving again.

Although storm clouds threatened, they held off and the rest of the drive around the arm was windy but uneventful. I soon found myself with a steady tail-wind as I traversed the far side and headed up Turnagain Pass.

I made it almost to the Sterling Hwy turn-off before the skies opened up again. I don’t mind driving in the rain, but between the rain and earlier winds, I felt like I’d been put through the ringer twice (hey – fun note; how many of you actually know where the term “put through the ringer” originated?).

I pulled over at my favorite spot along the Kenai River in Cooper’s Landing for a late lunch and a long break from driving. I’ll forgo yet another picture of the Kenai River, but will mention that I’ve never seen it higher on the banks. All that rain must go somewhere.

Although it was already after 6:00 pm, I decided to push on to Soldotna.

It was only sprinkling when I pulled in at Centennial Park Campground, where I was told there were still a few sites available, but I might find it quieter and easier to pull in and set up over at their overflow area at the local Sports Complex parking area. I happily paid my overnight fee and headed over there.

What can I say? It’s a parking lot. But WAY quieter than a packed campground of over 200+ sites filled with wet, excited fishermen. The salmon are running on the Kenai! Oh joy!