Getting Closer

There's a buzz in town.

Increasing daylight, warmer weather, no snow on the ground, a river free of ice, have all created a good mood on the peninsula. Soon, the tourists will be here. How do I know? The Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center placed their annual call and asked for more of our brochures for their information kiosk.

We've always been a member of this organization and recognize their value to our industry, and our community.  That being said, we've told many visitors to stop by and check things out because of the museum like quality of the displays and to learn about other things to do while on the peninsula. It's sound advice, but up until this past week, I had never taken my own recommendation and actually walked through the "visitor and cultural" part of their building. I guess that's human nature. When something is in your backyard you tend to overlook it. I still often wonder why my parents, who bought a home in Las Vegas, never took a tour of the Hoover Dam....sorry, I digress.

It's not a large building , but it's appropriate in size. There are many things on display, but what immediately caught my eye was the snag that my neighbors at Hi-Lo Charters pulled out of the Kenai River in 1987. This behemoth weighs over 600 pounds and it's estimated over 2500 spin-n-glo lures are wrapped into it. Every spring, on my river salvage runs, I keep hoping to find something like this. One day, maybe, one day.....

In college, I enjoyed taking Alaska history and anthropology courses, so it stands to reason that this display of Kenaitze Indian artifacts caught my eye. There is also a section devoted to the history of oil exploration on the peninsula. For all you trivia buffs, the first oil produced in Alaska came from the Swanson River field on the Kenai Peninsula in 1957 (not Prudhoe Bay).

Here's my friend George, purchasing an area map of the peninsula. I will give him all the credit for the building tour. He came with me when I dropped off the brochures and was interested in looking around. A retired educator never stops learning....see you again in July, George!

So, when you're on the peninsula next time, if you're not fishing 24/7, stop in at the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center. It's well worth your time (and if it's on the weekend, don't forget to go to the Saturday Market held on the front lawn).




Beaver Creek Cabins & Guide Service

Living the Dream in 2018

I'm not sure I'm living the dream in 2018 right now. It's more like I'm dreaming about living the dream in 2018. Hey, it's been a long winter....

The good news is that within a month I'll be out on the Kenai River. Maybe this will be the year that I catch the very first king salmon. I know it's going to happen one of these years, (so says the little voice in my head).



Beaver Creek Cabins & Guide Service

Established 1988

Steelhead Cabin

It was 30 years ago that Will and Becky Jahrig had the vision of constructing affordable cabins for rent while offering access to arguably the most famous salmon river in the world....the Kenai.

The Jahrig's

After fifteen years of building their business, it was time for the Jahrig's to move on and do something different. Their timing was great because at the same time Jane and I were looking to do something different as well. We made an offer, it was accepted, and we became the new owners of Beaver Creek Cabins.

momma moose and her two children

About the only thing that we changed was the name. What was Beaver Creek Cabins now became Beaver Creek Cabins & Guide Service. Not a lot of change, but just enough to let people know that we are also a guide service.

sunrise on the Creek

Will and Becky came up with the motto, "Out of the Bed, and into the Boat." At first I thought this saying was a bit too obvious, bordering on cliche. However, it didn't take me long to realize that the Jahrig's were spot on.

twilight on the Kenai

I mean, how incredibly convenient is it to walk a hundred feet from the cabin to the dock, and be out fishing within five minutes?

sunset on the Kenai

We've had a great fifteen years and still have the same passion that we did the first year. My friend Steve Morris often asks me how long am I going to be doing this.

moonset on the Kenai

My standard response has always been, "when I'm sick of people, that's when I'm done. So far, so good, but don't push it....ha!"

view from the Chinook cabin

Steve is just one of the many people we've met through the years that are more than a customer to us. We are so fortunate to have so many lasting friendships.

Chinook Cabin

Jane and I are really looking forward to the 2018 season. We have a nice mix of brand new people coming, along with a lot of old friends. It's going to be fun one....

Beaver Creek Cabins & Guide Service

Enjoy your retirement, Gary.

Jane and I have been invited to what appears to be the most awesome retirement party event ever. I've been to a few of these and it usually involved a happy hour on a Friday afternoon. A few gag gifts, a few toasts, a few tears, and everyone leaves after a couple of hours. Not a bad way to wish someone good luck on the next chapter of their life's journey.

With that as my benchmark for a retirement party, imagine my reaction when my friend Gary Roeder invited us to a four day retirement extravaganza in honor of his career as a pilot for FedEx. The event includes, and is not limited to, the following:

• Thursday, April 12th, "Golf Day"
• Friday, April 13th, "Bike Day"
• Saturday, April 14th, "Wine Day"
• Sunday, April 15th, "Dinner Day"

Unfortunately, the Party of the Century is in Gary's recently adoptive home of Boise, Idaho. Due to distance, and Jane's dad recent hospitalization, we will not be able to make it.

Gary and Jackie, we really wish we could be there. We feel fortunate to know you and the many friends and family that you've introduced to us. Say hi to all and we can't wait to hear the stories of what we missed.

p.s. make sure you turn it up to "11" for me.....





Beaver Creek Cabins & Guide Service

Silver Salmon Cupcakes

Every year Jane will can a couple of dozen salmon. Although great, it's use is rather limited in our household. We either use it for a dip, or for making salmon pattys.

Well, I found another great use for salmon while perusing Bon Appetit. In an article titled, "Canned Salmon: Dessert Treat?", the author, Lirpa Sloof, shared a wonderful cupcake recipe.

Sloof said, "Although not for everyone, the combination of cupcake and salmon can be sublime. Paired with the right wine, or after dinner espresso, your guests will be begging to know the recipe."

I agree. And, here it is.

INGREDIENTS

2                 cups flour

1/2              teaspoon salt

2                 teaspoon baking powder

1/2              cup butter, softened

3/4              cup sugar

2                 pints silver salmon

2                 eggs

1                 cup milk

1                 teaspoon vanilla (optional)

1                 cup cream cheese frosting

DIRECTIONS 

Preheat oven to 375; line muffin cups with paper.

Cream butter, sugar, and silver salmon till light and fluffy. Beat in egg one at a time.

Add flour (mixed with baking powder and salt) alternating with milk. Beat well.

Divide evenly among pans and bake for 18 minutes. Let cool in pan.

Liberally apply cream frosting to the top.

Yields 20-25 cupcakes.

Ready in: 40 mins.

If you're looking for a new way to use your canned salmon, I wouldn't hesitate to give this recipe a try.

Come back to the blog next week and I’ll share with you another delicious use of Alaska fish, Healthy Trends For 2018: Halibut Smoothies, A Protein Love Fest.

Beaver Creek Cabins & Guide Service