Kenai, AK today

Joy, Sharon, and I left mid-morning for a tour of Kenai while Bob enjoyed 18 holes of golf at a local golf course.  We were able to see the mouth of the Kenai River where resident-Alaskan folks were thick with their dip nets.  They stand about 2 feet apart extending their large nets into the river to catch salmon.  These fish prefer shallow water near the banks to swim upstream as the current is generally slower making it easier to fish.

Mouth of Kenai River onto Cook Inlet
Alaskan dip-net fishing

Mt. Redoubt Volcano visible across Cook Inlet from Kenai

Still active Russian Orthodox Church 

Sharon and Joy do the tour

Original Chapel built over graves of first Parish Priest here

After a nice brunch at a local Greek, Italian, and Mexican restuarant (some combination, huh) we visited the site of a Russian Orthodox Church and the ridge overlooking Cook Inlet in Kenai.  From what we know of Russia today it is ironic to us that the Russians were sending missionaries and establishing churches in Alaska Territory around the time of the Civil War (which belonged to Russia until about 1869).  Of course, today the US has sent many more missionaries back to Russia.

We ended the day returning to the Soldotna Days celebration to see the final totem pole completion and judging.  The totem poles were for sale but we couldn't figure out a way to get in latched to the roof of the RV so we decided to settle on our small bear we purchased yesterday.

Totem poles near completion

Alice in Wonderland totem finished

Today's one hour event was eagle carving.
Jamie Rothenbuhler completes his entry

Totem Pole named Mannnnnnny Salmon

Another colorful entry

Great detail work on this one displays an eagle,
a wolf, and a caribou wrapped around the pole

Joy and her new "happy teddy" our new RV mascot
in lieu of one of the totem poles