Hello - I am planning a long week end of June in the K peninsula with my family. Our interests are outdoors and fishing. I wanted to know how long I should allow to drive leisurely from Anchorage, where I intend to rent a car. Then I would like to rent lodge/B&B in two places strategically situated on the peninsula to drive around and do as much as poss (hiking, fjord cruise, fishing,). I think Soldotna will be one of the base. WHere should I balance it with for the other part of the stay ? Seward ? or Homer ? Also , do you think that with the recession looming there is value in waiting some time before booking in case the prices become more negotiable (for lodges in particular ?) - we would be 6 in the party so money matters to an extent. Thank you in advance for advice.

A leisurely drive from Anchorage can take most of the day if you stop places like the tram ride up Alyeska. Straight thru it's probably only 2 1/2 hours. On one trip we based ourselves in Kenai (next to Soldotna) but found we were doing a lot of traveling. Soldotna is about half way between Seward and Homer but the drives between both places aren't the most scenic roads in Alaska. We ended up doing a last minute overnight in Seward to avoid an early morning drive for the fjord cruise. We also ended up going to Homer twice, once to do an overnight package trip to Seldovia and another day trip just to see what we didn't see the first time (which wasn't enough time either trip). I would split my time between Seward and Homer unless you are booking fishing trips in the Soldotna area. Salmon started running in the Russian River toward the end of June and there was net fishing on the beaches near Kenai. Keep in mind that if your visit coincides with the 4th of July weekend, it's a big weekend for locals, too and a lot of people from Anchorage head to the KP for weekends esp if the salmon are running. In the area of the Russian River ferry, for example, there was no one early in our visit then a huge number of people and vehicles when the fishing started. Seward has a big 4th event, too. There's a big craft fair in Girdwood around the 4th of July. For father's day weekend we wanted to stay north of Anchorage in Palmer. Beginning months ahead I had trouble getting a reservation for that weekend and this was in 2004. Even the b&b owner wasn't sure why that weekend was so popular. Will there be less people this year? I keep running into people who are planning a trip to Alaska this summer. During late June we ran into plenty of Alaskan fishermen who had that week off. Keep in mind a lot of people fill several freezers with salmon. We met one guy who promised his wife he wouldn't bring home more than 250 lbs. (net fishing)
Hiking is better around Seward. The Soldotna/Kenai area is pretty flat and marshy. Don't think there are too many hiking trails compared to other places. However great place to see moose. I liked the restaurants better in Seward and Homer than in the Soldotna area except for the great bakery in Soldotna. From Soldotna it's about 1 1/2 hours to Seward and the same to Homer.
I may be wrong about availability of lodging but personally I'd book something now and be glad I did.

Dear pabcbc:

I agree with dfnh: split your time between Seward & Homer.

MY

Homer B&Bs:
http://www.homeralaska.org/membershi...dBreakfast.htm

Pabcbc, be careful where you fish and what you are using to catch them. "Net" fishing on the Kenai is fishing with a "Dipnet" and is reserved for residents. At least that is what I have always understood it to be (I am an Alaskan).

Anybody have something else on this regulation?

Believe me when I tell you that IF the fish are running, you will not be alone - lots of locals as well as tourists stand side by side to make 'combat fishing' what it is.

Check the Alaska Dept of Fish and Game website for runs of salmon as they chart that data - that will tell you within a few days of when and where the fish are.