Canoe for Two on the Lil' Su

The kings were still running hot in several different rivers. Chris and Amy decided to make a long weekend before the 4th of July and float down the Little Susitna river. We packed up the car, loaded up Phoenix and Nuggett (Daleth doesn't like water, boats or swimming), and dropped in at Miller's Crossing, just outside of Houston (Alaska, that is). It was about 9pm and the sun was still shining.

The Lil' Su is a wide, shallow, lazy river, and we were not in a hurry. The first night we camped out on a sandbar, built a great fire, and discovered that Jiffy Pop is not meant for camping trips. We were a little nervous about the possibility of bears, and were grateful that the dogs like to bark.

The next morning, we awoke to light sprinkles, which stayed with us off and on for the rest of the trip. As we drifted downstream, we began to see giant shadows pushing against the current. We pulled over in several spots, and Chris hooked into several massive kings. Amy hooked a couple as well, and although she put up a good fight, she couldn't land any. She did, however, catch a dolly varden- which is a beautiful little fish with pink circles on it's flanks, and bright white stripes on its fins. They taste a lot like trout.

All in all, we saw hundreds of kings, a couple of bald eagles, a beaver, two river otters, three moose- one was just a baby, a little bit of sunshine and no bears. We camped for three nights, and took our time to enjoy the fresh air, silence (interrupted by the occasional float plane overhead), and isolation. We saw only about 10 other people the whole time, and only at the put in and take out spots.

This was such a laid back, fun and easy trip- we just might do it again. And happily take along anyone who'd like to try it.