taking a bethel trip (Kenai, Kodiak: trip , work, home)

[wifesinalaska]

taking a work trip to bethel this month and looking for something to do. Are the snowmobiles still out and about? Could we rent one? Also hoping to see some sites/animals, are there fly-in tours or boat tours or some adventurous activity that is moderately priced? If so, where does one go to purchase them.

Any ideas/advice for having a good time during a short trip would be appreciated.

thanks in advance

[mal_flisk]

Bethel isn't much for wild life tours, and the tourist industry is pretty slim out there. Snowmobiles aren't in use at this time. Four-wheeled ATV's are the mode right now. Better wildlife viewing in the Katmai or in the Pribilofs (St. Paul, St. George). Kodiak is also good. Homer has great tours, as does Seward on the Kenai.

[wifesinalaska]

thanks, but given that I am already stuck in Bethel, is there any suggestions you have for things to do.

[mal_flisk]

Potentially, beachcombing for fossil ivory, get a little carving on it before you take it home. Pan for gold. Not much else for a month, but salmon fishing will be available next month.

[Blueberry]

Check out Papa Bear Adventures and its affiliates if you can afford to fly or boat/raft for adventure; they are pricy, though. May might be a little too early for their trips.

Believe it or not, many people really enjoy booking passage on the hovercraft that serves the villages for postal service.

Make friends with a local who likes to drift net for salmon and tag along; learn to haul in a net full of fish and how to fillet the catch. Try to talk him into taking you past a fish camp or two so you can see one form of the subsistence lifestyle. You might see bear or moose or possibly caribou if you get out on the river a little ways. (Don't hold your breath.) Sometimes, you'll see a bald eagle or two. (Again, don't hold your breath.)

Take a tundra walk and look for birds' nests and waterfowl, including swans. This is the closest you'll probably get to wildlife; you may even spot muskrat or beaver in the tundra ponds. You might possibly spot a fox or porcupine.

Drive out to Hanger Lake Road and stop about halfway out and park along the side. Explore to the left side of the road (as you leave town); there are some awesome beaver lodges and humongous beavers out there. Be alert because a wandering bear is sometimes spotted out there, although it's pretty unusual.

Watch the local paper for activities. This is the time of year that free, guided tundra walks for edible plants and birdwatching get organized.

Finally, if the Bethel Actor's Guild is putting on a performance, don't miss it! They're usually top-notch!!!

Have fun!

[wifesinalaska]

thanks for the reply. ill have to check some of that stuff out.