I read so many messages while planning our trip, I wanted to post our experiences to help others. My husband, our two teenage sons and I spent 8 days in the Kenai Pennisula. We wanted to do a lot fishing. The first day we did the beautiful drive from Anchorage to Seward. We went to Whittier on the way and did the Major Marine 6 hour tour. We chose that tour for the all you can eat dinner, which was very good. The scenery was unbelievable but if we had to choose between the Prince William Sound or Resurrection Bay out of Seward, we would chose Resurrection Bay for both scenery and wildlife. But we really enjoyed doing both tours. We stayed at the Windsong Lodge in Seward which was wonderful. I used the Alaska Toursaver Coupon book and saved $600 on the trip. Everyone accepted it easily. In Seward we were not too impressed with the Sea Life Center - now we understand it is geared toward research. We walked to Exit Glacier and took the Kenai Fjords 6 hour tour. We saw so much wildlife-whales, orca whales, eagles, puffins, Stellar sea lions, seals, otters. It was great. Our best day in Alaska was renting a 16 ft boat from Millers Landing and fishing on our own in Resurrection Bay. You need to get there early-6:30AM, to get one of their boats. Next we drove to Soldotna to stay two nights at Fish Alaska Log Cabin Lodge. The have four cabins and this was our favorite place to stay. It was all set up for us to cook the salmon we had just caught. If fishing with a guide on the Kenai River, check out the trip carefully. We were not there at the right time for tides and the day before commercial fishermen had been netting salmon at the mouth of the river. We did not see many fish caught by anyone. Also check to be sure certain salmon are in season. Next we drove to Homer for two nights. We had the best time halibut fishing with Silver Fox Charters. We had the best captain - Denny. Everyone caught their limit even though we were in a storm. We shipped back 76lb's of halibut. It was expensive but well worth it. We stopped in the Big Game reserve on the way back. It was a nice safe way to see bears in the Alaskan habitat. The last night we stayed at the Alyeskan Hotel in Girwood. It is a luxurious hotel. We enjoyed the last day in Anchorage at the Anchorage Museum and the Alaskan Heritage Center. I think this itinerary worked for our family because we wanted to do a lot of fishing and boating. We were on the water 5 days and fished almost everyday. If you do not have this interest I would think a few days in Seward and a few days in Denali may have been better.

Great report, thank you. What a wonderful way to spend your family vacation. Too bad my husband is not interested in fishing when we are in Alaska or anywhere else.
Is the road construction finished between Girdwood and Anchorage? Two years ago we stayed in Alyeska Hotel and we had a great time there including an excellent dinner at the Seven Glaciers restaurant.

It is amazing and wonderful how we all like different things. My husband loved the Sea Life Center because of its focus on research.
Did you visit Russian church in Soldotna?
May I ask you how much did you pay for shipping 76lbs of halibut? The next year maybe I just go halibut fishing without my husband. It is good to know that you had a great experience with Danny of Silver Fox Charters. I will keep this name in my file. Did you visit Pratt Museum in Homer? It is a gem!

Yes, the construction is still going on between Anchorage and Girdwood but did not cause any delays. The Sea Life Center was nice but does not compare to to Montery, Baltimore, or New England Aquariums. We paid $325 to vacum pack, freeze, and overnight the halibut. The fishing was $180 a person for 8 hours. The limit is 2 halibut a person. Our halibut was on the small side of 10-25 lbs each fish. Fishing by yourself would be enjoyable because you go in a boat with 6 people. Everyone gets to know each other.

No we did not see the Russian Church in Soldotna but did see one in Kenai.

We also missed the Pratt Museum because of the times that we had available in Homer.

great report. sounds like you had a wonderful time. my husband and I are planning a similar trip for June 2004 and we cann't wait. it's wonderful to read first hand account because it stirs up the anticipation.

we are planning a halibut fishing trip out of homer also, so I'll pass this info onto my husband (that's the one part of the trip he is responsible for). thanks for the shipping info, i'll have to store that in the back of my mind for next year because we would also like to do this.

did you happen to go to halibut cove when you were in homer? we are contemplating a daytrip and just wanted to get some idea if its worth it or not.

No we did not go to Halibut Cove but there was a storm in the Gulf of Alaska on the day we went halibut fishing so a few of the passengers were sea sick. The captain, Denny, decided to catch the fish quickly. We caught the limit in 45 minutes, after a 2 hour boat ride to get to the right spot. Then he took us to Seldovia. He does not usually do that but it helped the people who were sea sick. I liked that because I was also thinking of a separate trip to see one of those towns. So you may be able to arrange that if you are on a boat that catches the limit fast. My kids would have rather gone salmon fishing from the same boat instead seeing Seldovia which may be another option when you limit out of halibut.

I realized I did not answer your question. Seldovia was nice and we had a nice lunch on the deck of the only restuarant. But after being on the boat for a long day with the halibut fishing, I don't think I would have wanted to get on a boat again and follow the same route just to get to Seldovia for lunch the next day.

sld531,
Your halibut may have seemed on the small side, but as a former Alaskan I can tell you the small halibut are the best eating. The larger the halibut, the dryer the flesh in my opinion. Halibut is such a great fish, one of my favorites. Enjoy many meals!!!!

Karen, Halibut Cove is a wonderful place to visit. It is a very unique place with two art galleries we visited and walking path along the beach. And what a setting! Keep in mind that Halibut Cove is open to visitors between 1 pm and 9 pm. Halibut Cove owns the boat that transports visitors from Homer leaving at noon and departing Halibut Cove I think at 4 pm. They also have transfer for dinner. There is only one restaurant in Halibut Cove

sld531, the church I asked you about is indeed in Kenai. You were right and I was wrong.

wildflower - did you eat a the restaurant in Halibut Cove? if so, your opinion?

Also, I had read about the boat leaving at 4pm but if you stay for dinner, how does that work? ie what are the dinner "transfers" you described?

sld531 - sounds like you had quite a fishing experience. It was good that the captain extended the trip to take you too Seldovia. That was my debate, to go there or to Halibut Cove. I think we'll do the cove.

Thanks for the input.

Thanks

Karen, we did not eat at the restaurant. We brought our own sandwiches and fruit and had a lunch on the beach where one picnic table is located. The scenery was stunning. We wanted to spend as much time as possible outside and visit with the artists of the two galleries. I think there is at least one more gallery if you are interested. There are no gift shops. The dinner transfer leaves at 5 pm and returns at 9 pm. We never had dinner there but heard that it is pretty good. To make reservation for the Danny J ferry go to or call Central Charters on the Spit. Their phone number is 1-800 478-7847.

We also visited Seldovia and there is one long hiking trail we took.I was disappointed with the Russian church which I wanted to see and photograph but it looked very neglected and it had power lines all around so it was impossible to take any pictures. Nonetheless, we had a great lunch at the Mad Fish. Personally, I think that Halibut Cove is more mystic as it is very secluded whereas Seldovia has many cars and it seems that planes are landing and taking off every few minutes. We would definitely return to Halibut Cove

Thanks for the info wildflower. Halibut Cove sounds like something we would definately like.

To KarenL,
We took the afternoon trip to Halibut Cove, last year;I just loved it.Very beautiful ,peaceful,and relaxing day. We did eat at the Salty for lunch,while there and I really liked the food.It is alittle on the pricey side however.

The boat the Danny J makes two trips a day. One that leaves the dock at 12:30, I think.This is the one we took.

Then they have a late afternoon early evening one that will take you over for Dinner and bring you back.

Thanks for the additional info dotty.