Nick Varney

Unhinged Alaska: The Beast

Then it went all Darth Vader.

 

Jenny Neyman, administrative coordinator of the Tsalteshi Trails Association, speaks during a winter kick-off and open house event to celebrate a new maintenance shed Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, just outside of Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

‘It should be here forever’

Tsalteshi Trails celebrates new maintenance facility

 

Downed trees are seen in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge in September 2020. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Refuge opens for firewood collection Tuesday

Only trees that are dead and down within designated areas may be cut

 

Rigby and Christine Cunningham patiently waiting in a duck blind, both watching a flock of teal high overhead. (Photo by Steve Meyer)

Refuge Notebook: If the goose honks high

Some mornings are darker than others, and then there are the mornings Steve calls “as black as the inside of a cow.” The first day… Continue reading

Rigby and Christine Cunningham patiently waiting in a duck blind, both watching a flock of teal high overhead. (Photo by Steve Meyer)
Rowan Yorkston teaching "Critter Campers" about the different shapes of eggs. (Photo provided by refuge)

Refuge notebook: Beauty doesn’t boast

Beautiful things don’t ask for attention, and I think that can be said about the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is not a theme… Continue reading

Rowan Yorkston teaching "Critter Campers" about the different shapes of eggs. (Photo provided by refuge)
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
A peace crane sculpture stands at the heart of the Kenai Peninsula Peace Crane Garden Trails in Soldotna on Wednesday.

From mundane to spiritual

Peace Crane Garden expands with two new structures

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
A peace crane sculpture stands at the heart of the Kenai Peninsula Peace Crane Garden Trails in Soldotna on Wednesday.
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Out of the Office: Bitter patience for sweet fruit

The last time I wrote for this column, I was digging raspberry plants out of my friend’s backyard. Weeks and weeks later, my plants are… Continue reading

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Aspen trees offer a spot of red on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, at the Hidden Lake Campground in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge near Sterling, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Mystery Creek Access Road reopens Friday

The road is often used for hunting access

Aspen trees offer a spot of red on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, at the Hidden Lake Campground in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge near Sterling, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
The Sterling Highway crosses the Kenai River near the Russian River Campground on March 15, 2020 near Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Russian River Campground to close Aug. 15

The ongoing effort is for reconstruction of a section of Russian River Campground Road

The Sterling Highway crosses the Kenai River near the Russian River Campground on March 15, 2020 near Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Well over 50 people enjoy the Nikiski Pool during a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the North Peninsula Recreation Service Area in Nikiski, Alaska, on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

North Peninsula Recreation Service Area celebrates 50 years

The service area was established in 1974, with the Nikiski Pool being built and opened in 1975

Well over 50 people enjoy the Nikiski Pool during a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the North Peninsula Recreation Service Area in Nikiski, Alaska, on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Strand of invasive elodea on top of boot submerged in water. (Photo by Deb Kornblut/USFWS)

Refuge Notebook: The big deal about Big Lake — A collaborative conservation success

With more than 3 million natural lakes in Alaska, the state is a kaleidoscope of freshwater blue. Their diversity is astounding ― lakes may be… Continue reading

Strand of invasive elodea on top of boot submerged in water. (Photo by Deb Kornblut/USFWS)
A map of Lower Skilak Campground shows the areas that will be closed in July and August 2024. (Graphic provided by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

Areas of Lower Skilak Campground to close for repair starting Monday

The East Loop will be closed — projected to be reopened at noon on Aug. 4

A map of Lower Skilak Campground shows the areas that will be closed in July and August 2024. (Graphic provided by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
Brown bears fishing for salmon on the Russian River. (Photo by Kris Inman/USFWS)

Refuge Notebook: Fishing with bears

Anglers and bears spend more time on the river as the first run of salmon makes its way upstream. While the rivers and tributaries offer… Continue reading

Brown bears fishing for salmon on the Russian River. (Photo by Kris Inman/USFWS)
Forget-me-nots are in bloom on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 near a certain raspberry patch in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

Out of the Office: Forget not the little joys in life

I’ve been seeing a lot of chatter recently about how difficult it is, and how deliberate one must be, about spending time with friends or… Continue reading

Forget-me-nots are in bloom on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 near a certain raspberry patch in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Braided flood plain into Skilak Lake. (Photo by Jackie Morton/USFWS)

Refuge Notebook: The futures ahead

I’m sure you’ve all looked back at your lives at some point, thought back on decisions, be it with regret or gratitude, and recognized that… Continue reading

Braided flood plain into Skilak Lake. (Photo by Jackie Morton/USFWS)
A guide from the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge leads visitors on a hike of Centennial Trail near Soldotna on Saturday, June 1, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Refuge readies for another season of Guided Discovery Hikes

Guided Discovery Hikes are scheduled for every Friday and Saturday from June 21 to Aug. 30

A guide from the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge leads visitors on a hike of Centennial Trail near Soldotna on Saturday, June 1, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
If you teach a kid to fish, she will feed you a trout breakfast every morning of the campout. This proved true for this girl, who holds up a rainbow trout while sitting on a kayak. (Photo by Leah Eskelin)

Refuge Notebook: Loon calls, campfire s’mores and prebooked campsites herald summer on refuge

There’s a buzz in the air. It’s the charged energy of early summertime in Alaska. It’s the murmur of fishermen counting their tackle. It’s the… Continue reading

If you teach a kid to fish, she will feed you a trout breakfast every morning of the campout. This proved true for this girl, who holds up a rainbow trout while sitting on a kayak. (Photo by Leah Eskelin)
A sign along a trail to Exit Glacier marks the spot to where the toe of the glacier reached in 2010, photographed on June 22, 2018. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Exit Glacier reopened for summer, snow and bears reported

Visitors should check the park website for updated conditions and ensure they are prepared before visiting the area

A sign along a trail to Exit Glacier marks the spot to where the toe of the glacier reached in 2010, photographed on June 22, 2018. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Me posing with a vintage guide to reporting on education. (Photo by Camille Botello)

Out of the Office: Next chapter

Like a lot of people who do what they love, I can remember the moment I decided I wanted to become a journalist. It was… Continue reading

Me posing with a vintage guide to reporting on education. (Photo by Camille Botello)
A basket of lovage leaves harvested at a Kenai Peninsula beach, June 9, 2023. (Photo by Matt Bowser/USFWS)

Refuge Notebook: I love beach lovage

For my family, as for many people on the Kenai Peninsula, growing and harvesting food is a regular part of our lives. We garden, we… Continue reading

A basket of lovage leaves harvested at a Kenai Peninsula beach, June 9, 2023. (Photo by Matt Bowser/USFWS)