Trip to Tustumena Cabin

Before New Year, we took a trip to the Kenai peninsula, and stayed for a 2 nights at a cabin on Tustumena Ridge near Kasilof. It was the early part of this cold spell we've been in: when we left it was -15 in Anchorage. We stopped along the Turnagain Arm at Beluga Point, and although it was only -3 there, the wind was blowing at a steady 15-knot wind -- nobody wants to linger with the cold wind in your face. The tide was going out, and that was impressive! During the summer, people surf the bore tide -- you can see a video HERE. But right now, the inlet is covered in huge chunks of ice!


The day was so clear! Here's a picture of the slopes along Turnagain Pass, a popular spot for skiing and snowmobiling.



By 4 in the afternoon, the sun was setting and we had to drive right into it! Nearly there -- it's about a 4.5 hour trip from where we live to Soldotna & Kasilof.

Here's the cabin where we stayed -- it was a very nice get-away for the family. We read alot, slept late, played games, and I worked on a "Dunkard's Path" quilt that I've neglected for years.

I went skiing in the afternoon. The ski trail leads through bogs, muskegs and small ponds -- lots of black spruce, which make for a rather drunken appearance. No wind, and ice crystals are glistening in the sunlight... magical, but very COLD ... I did not last too long!