...ice fishing at Forest Lake

The day got off to a great start. 

Ice fishermen standing around a bonfire on the ice.

The Quickfish 3 on Forest Lake.

Due to ice build-up on the auger blades we couldn't drill through the ice.  So, we put it in the fire to thaw out.  Worked great.

Izzy...the ice fishing hound.

Waiting for the bite.

An ice encased fishing line.

Minus 13 at the parking area.  It was cold.  Charlie and I pulled our gear sleds out of the back of the truck and started for the outlet at the far end of Forest Lake, just about a mile away.  It wasn't long before we warmed up.  About 30 minutes later we stopped, drilled three holes with the hand auger (the power auger was too heavy to haul on this trip) and set the Quckfish 3 on the ice.  We were ready to fish. 

Several other ice fishermen arrived and it wasn't long before more holes were drilled and the first fish was caught.  The search for wood soon began and before long a huge bonfire was blazing.  More ice fishermen arrived and more holes were drilled and tents popped up.  More fish were caught...and so the morning went.

The sun rose above the trees but no heat could be felt.  A few hours passed and several ice fishermen started to talk about leaving.  Had to be home in time for dinner and to make it back to town for the parade and fireworks display in Kenai.  So, slowly the lake was abandoned and the fish world under the ice returned to normalcy.  The parking area was still cold but we knew heaters would soon be blasting and the ride home would be toasty.  That's how it was...ice fishing at Forest Lake.

...the cabin at Kelly Lake

The Hufford girls at the trailhead on our way to the cabin.

Mrs. Huffy on the trail to the cabin toting a full backpack and towing a sled full of gear.

Laura hiking along the edge of Kelly Lake on her way to the cabin.

The cabin at Kelly Lake.

The cabin's heat source.  It kept things plenty warm.  I had lots of fun adjusting things for maximum warmth and wood burning duration throughout our stay.

We had a birthday party while we were at the cabin.

The birthday cupcake.  One of those candles would not extinguish.  Very funny.

Laura helps Emily add up her score during a rowdy game of Phase 10.

We all had fun playing the game.

The bunk area of the cabin.

Emily climbs the ladder to her bunk at bed time.

We brought a Coleman lantern to use as a source of light during our stay.  We used an entire tank of fuel as the darkness is pervasive this time of year.

The view of the cabin in the early morning.

Emily and Mrs. Huffy play Bananagrams as the sun comes up outside.

Big Head Todd and the Monsters provided the early morning musical entertainment from a cell phone.

The gear sled loaded, bungeed, and ready to go back to the truck.  It was easier to hike than it was to ski due the minimal snow coverage.  So, the skis got to ride on the sled.

Laura blazes the trail back to the truck with a loaded pack and gear sled.

The public use cabin at Kelly Lake is maintained by the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.  We have visited it several times during our hikes on Seven Lakes Trail which passes by its front door.  Last summer we were looking around and said, "We should rent this sometime."  The next day we called the KNWR Headquarters and reserved our date.  At $45 a night it is a great bargain.  It's also kid friendly as the hike to the cabin is on a well established and level trail.

So,  on Saturday morning we loaded our packs and sleds with everything we would need for a birthday party and a night at the cabin.  Upon our arrival we started a fire to warm the place up and began to think about dinner. Afterward we played Phase 10 and Bananagrams, and told ghost stories before going sleep for over nine hours!

When we finally woke up Mrs. Huffy and Gabby took off for a hike following the trail to the turn-off to Hidden Lake while the rest us us stayed behind and lounged about the cabin.  Upon Mrs. Huffy's return we packed things up and left the cabin around 11:15 AM.  We had a great time and we know that we will return to...the cabin at Kelly Lake.

...first tracks of the season

Emily looks back at the photographer as we make our way around the campground loop at Captain Cook State Park.

Emily follows Mrs. Huffy's tracks through the snow.

Mrs. Huffy poses for a photo op.

Emily and Mrs. Huffy take a break on the trail.

Winter is off to a great start and we are back on our skis!  We made the campground loop at Captain Cook State Park the location of our first tour of the season.  Emily, Mrs. Huffy, and I slid through the snow taking time to look at the animal tracks and feed Gabby treats as she romped in the powder.  A good time was had by all and we were happy with our...first tracks of the season.