Down along Ship Creek in the downtown area we had our first view of what they call combat fishing. Fishermen stand almost shoulder to shoulder along the river hoping to land "the big one". We've been told this has not been a good year for salmon fishing and we sure didn't see any pulled out tonight.

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Horticulture is showcased in this 110-acre birch and spruce woodland. We totally enjoyed the wildflower walk where we were able to identify more of the beautiful flowers we've been seeing. This gem is a Lingholm poppy, a blue variety we had never seen before.

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We're having many opportunities to see wildflowers we've never seen before. Like this meadow rue, they are unique and beautiful.

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Throughout the downtown area we found many of these fish created by local artists for a program called Wild Salmon On Parade.

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When we stopped in the visitor center we were told about their "Flat Seymour" program (just like the Flat Stanley project I used to do with my class when I was teaching). They are having a contest involving Seymour and the fish so I jumped in and started photographing - this fish is entitled "Bar King Salmon" and there is Seymour checking it out.

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Today we began our trip down the Kenai Peninsula. Unfortunately it was cloudy with a cold wind but the views of the mountains and glaciers were still spectacular.

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Traveling with our friends gives us lots of opportunities to have photos of us together so here we are in front of the mountains and glaciers of Turnagain Arm.

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We stayed at the Soldotna City Campground right on the Kenai River. They have installed boardwalks along the bank of the river for fishermen and wannabes like us. Jim is a little disappointed because this is a major salmon-fishing region but the fish just aren't running.

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This pair of arctic terns were enjoying their day on the river.

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Holy Assumption of the Virgin Mary Russian Orthodox Church is located in the small community of Kenai. The Russian missionaries arrived in this area as early as 1794 with the first church being erected in 1849.

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Retired Father Targonsky who was the 8th resident priest of the church serving from-1972 -1991 gave us a tour of the church. He not only explained everything about the interior of the church but also gave us some personal history. In this religion a man can marry prior to being ordained and still be a priest.

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We made a stop to check out the carvings at "Living Tree City".

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This hand carved merry-go-round is totally Alaskan unique. Notice one gets to ride on moose, bear, and ram.

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Barbara climbed on this huge fish and went for the ride of her life!

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We had seen lots of evidence of moose in camp and then we got to see the real thing!

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These beautiful wild chocolate lilies were growing along the Kenai River beside the boardwalk.

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