Day 5 - End of Fish Camp 22

 The campground we stay at typically requires a 5 night stay during July/dip-netting season. I am really NOT sure WHY they think this is a good plan...but we have ponied up for 5 nights for the last 3 years. This year they didn't have five nights available due to caravans. I was THRILLED we only had to pay for 4 nights. LOL  It was great all fish were caught by Sunday night. This left Monday to explore even though they were coming home a day early. 

Today, the boys played with bubbles and parachute men while the adults broke camp and got everything ready to drive home. 

LOVE Benny's little jig! 

GG had been asking OFTEN all day yesterday and today when they would be home. Millie was crazy out of sorts with Stacia gone. She got a bit better when Allie came home, but even Allie agreed she was nuts!  As the morning wore on Dad was asking about every 15 min when they would be home and Millie wanted in and out, continually, all day long. I tried taking everyone outside with minimal effectiveness. LOL 

I was about to go BONKERS by the time the RV pulled into the driveway. 

Millie was even MORE bonkers...CoRielle had arrived first and Millie needed to be put in the girls' room as we simply couldn't control her. She KNEW Stacia should be around. 

Cory dove into unloading the truck, vacuuming the truck and generally moving things over to their van. The kids said hello to GG and then played in our "park."  We began emptying the freezer into CoRielle's cooler and ours...Alex, Michael and Cory moved the freezer and loaded it again in the garage. I unloaded the fridge. Most of the cleaning will wait for tomorrow.  Nolan spent the afternoon with Bre and kids and the evening helping Jamin move into his new home in the Valley. 

Krista showed up in the midst of unloaded with TWO drink trays full of drinks from Blondies. 

She's so sweet. She even brought two sugar free drinks for Dad and I. I've never had an iced chai...the boys approved of the treat. 

The girls told me they have talked and decided every family will take one communal meal next year. That will sure cut back on my shopping and prep time.  

Michael cleaned out a few coolers...and it was dinnertime. The travelers had a late lunch and none of them wanted to eat. Allie, Grandpa and I ate. Michael showered and promptly went to sleep.  He is NOT feeling well. The girls, Grandpa and I watched an episode of Manifest. 

I had been doing o.k. with missing the trip, but I'll admit I felt some pangs as I began to unload the RV. I dream of more camping trips...we'd hoped to do them before Stacia left home but the logistics are difficult and we've not figured it out. 

And, Millie? She's not letting Stacia move away from her...at.all. 

Day 4 - Fish Camp 22

The atmosphere has become much more relaxed and fun-filled around fish camp as the goal has been met for the year. Alex, CoRielle, Stacia and Michael are the only ones at camp. They began the day by processing the final fish from yesterday's catch. 

Having more fun than should be allowed

Maybe the final fish? 

Everyone helps! Benny transfers fish to the gals...

Patting dry and bagging

A sinister photo-bombing Uncle! 

Arielle, Danny, Benny, Alex, Stacia

Back at the camp Danny oversaw the sealing of fish. Anytime he heard the machines begin he ran to push the buttons. 

Award winning smiles!

The freezer is full of 121 salmon....ours and CoRielle's catch. 

Determined to find fun and adventure they set out from the campground - regardless of the weather. 

Their first stop was to discover a bit about the influence of the orthodox church in the area....and they learned about domesticated moose. 

Then they found the FUN CENTER. A perfect way to spend a rainy day. 

Ah....

About this time the wind picked up and they headed back to the RV camp...the shade cover, various fishing "stuff" and the tent were blowing down the road. They rescued their things, stowed the tent and all moved into the RV for the final night. They'd left it up earlier for Izaak and his friend to stay in but received word they had changed plans. 

We typically have to book 5 nights to stay at this RV campground. They were full this year and asked us to stay 4 nights. That worked well this year. All in all it was a great year on the Kenai! We're already looking forward to next year. 

Day 3 - Fish Camp 22

 Household Day's total - 22
Group Day's Total 90
Trip Total - 192
Household total - 83
Group Allowance - 315 (We will NOT catch this many!)

Day 3 of fish camp 22 - "more of the same." 

Process fish in the morning, kids' treasure from Bachan and Papa's treasure chest, catch fish in the afternoon, common meal, clean fish...

Josiah and Carrie had friends down today. It was a slower day. There were less people in our group AND less fish were caught...it was the best day for friends to have joined to learn. Less fish? Today's total is 90 fish, there WERE less nets in the water, the fishing fleet have been out all weekend, that is still a LOT of fish. LOL 

Luke, Krista and Maria left for Anchorage early in the morning. Carrie, Josiah and Liv, along with their friends and Carrie's parents left this evening. 

Tomorrow, CoRielle, Alex, Stacia and Michael will explore the local area and pack up camp. I am told there will be no more fishing.  Everyone has the fish the want for the year. 

I realize I am reporting from HERE and not THERE - but I believe the BEST part for me this year is being able to see relationships develop. I've known it was happening, but the photos illustrate it well. This is the 3rd year Luke, Carrie and Liv have gone dip-netting with us. Last year KrUke had just married and CyRi weren't married. This is the 2nd year Allie has been with us.  Watching the family grow and gel once again is a blessing.... watching the cousins grow from one 8-month-old baby to two boys and a sweet girl helping, working and playing together is a blessing.  All feeling comfortable enough to invite others - magic. I may have been too caught up in the movement, the fish slime, if I were there to have noticed the relationships. 

At the campsite

Michael on sealer duty...

Mike and Jerry (Carrie's Dad)

The freezer is slowly filling back up. 

The boys' surprises today are "puzzle balls." 

Livie got a bracelet...

No rain today, lots more sun. I hear sunburns happened - regardless of prep. 

One highlight I note from the photos is Danny got to join the fishermen today. That's him on Cory's back. I remember Benny's first foray into the tide....The orange there is Arielle. Note she is out further....

But, it's DANNY AND CORY that catch the fish! And, just like that, another fisherman is born.

Daddy, Danny and Papa in one shot - Family Fun 

Once again, thanks to Carrie and Arielle for today's photos...and for stepping in with meals on the trip (along with Krista).  Today's photo dump. 

Arielle and Cory 

Beach fun 

Liv and Danny - worked hard; played hard

Liv, Carrie, Cy

Nap time at fish camp? 

Sweet Little Alaskan

The "fishing" portion of the trip is over. 192 fresh-caught, wild, Alaskan salmon are in various freezers...it's a good feeling with rising meat prices and supply chain disruptions. Getting away with everyone is the highlight of our year...all are returning home with fond memories and stories to tell for another year. 

Here at home...Allie, Grandpa and I went to church and out to lunch. Allie felt impressed to attend service this Sunday. We had a youth mission team up all week, and they had the service today.  Jamin and Jared went down to fish camp for one day, Saturday. At the end of the day, Allie rode back to Eagle River with them. Nolan met them there and brought her the rest of the way home. Grandpa woke up and said he felt like he'd had a run in with an elephant...that will happen when you have a close encounter with a wood floor. Regardless of the elephant, he made it to church and was happy to have been able to do so. He's feeling better on the new med regime.