Cooper Landing and Kenai Lake, Alaska

The next stop for us was Quartz Creek Campground on the shores of Kenai Lake. It was a bit of a challenge to secure a spot, but we got one and we were able to relax for four days on the pebbled shores of this glacial lake.

We went on a guided fishing trip the next day through Drifter's Lodge on the Upper Kenai River. Everyone got decked out in waders and the girls had huge fishing boots which they loved to clomp around in like downhill ski boots. Our guide Jason was wonderful teaching the girls how to fish from a drift boat and Nicole caught the first fish of the day just ten minutes into the trip. She reeled in a big Sockeye Salmon and was quickly followed by Heidi who was reeling in one of her own just minutes later. We caught many Dolly Vardens and Rainbow Trout throughout the afternoon and it was a very successful venture. The final score was that Nicole had caught the first fish, last fish and the biggest fish while Heidi certainly caught the most fish of all of us!

Mark wants all of those fishermen among you to know that we ate the Dolly Varden that Heidi is holding up in the photo. The girls gobbled up the trout cheeks, after our guide told them that was the very best part of the fish!

Mark put our boat in Kenai Lake and we were able to keep it on the pebble beach behind our campsite. We went out touring the huge lake and the girls did more fishing with Daddy during our stay. It was such a beautiful campsite and the views were stunning with snow-capped mountain peaks and turquoise waters. Mark even braved a very quick swim in the lake, but the girls and I declined to follow as it was frigidly cold! (Just imagine jumping into the melted snow and ice of a glacier when the outside temperature is around 15 degrees...no thanks!)

Upper Kenai River Guided Fishing Trip

Kenai Lake