Day Trip to Ninilchik

If you’ve read a handful of my blogs, you might have noticed that we make quite a few trips on repeat every year. Visiting the Lemans at the beach in Ninilchik is one of those yearly trips that we always look forward to.

The Lemans have been fishing in Ninilchik for five generations, going back to before Alaska was a state. Sadly, the set net fishery they held permits for was shut down three years ago. While they still spend time at the beach and subsistence fish, its obvious that tradition of commercial fishing, and the rhythm and purpose it brought to the summer is greatly missed.

We landed on the beach at high tide and the whole Leman family came out to meet us.

Our kids have known each other since they were little, and it’s been fun to watch them grow up together.

We’ve been fortunate enough to visit a few different families that commercially fish in Alaska, and it’s interesting to me how each family does things differently. My favorite part about how the Lemans fish in Ninilchik is the old army crane trucks they use to move their boats in and out of the water.

I’m not sure why I enjoy watching the trucks lift and carry the boats down the beach to the water so much, but it seems I have a video of the boats being put in the water from every trip we’ve taken to visit them.

Atlee and Woodsen geared up and went out on the water with a few of the Lemans to watch them subsistence fish.

I stayed back with the rest of the kiddos. We played on the beach, then Eska got an art lesson from Ruth and Hannah.

As our kids get older, seeing them enjoy more privileges and responsibilities is quite fun. Yukla went on a four-wheeler ride with Judah, and there was talk about the kids going out on the older boys’ boat. Unfortunately, we ran out of time to pack it all in.

Eska made friends with the pet rabbit.

At the beginning of our day in Ninilchik, Ruth, their oldest daughter, politely asked me to teach her a little bit about painting with watercolor. She had some supplies with her, so when all the other kids were busy playing we pulled out the watercolors. I showed her a few tips and tricks, and together we painted fireweed. She was a great student and a natural artist, which made it quite fun for me to instruct her.

Woodsen has known the Lemans since he was a boy, as their families spent a lot of time together. Carolyn was good friends with Woodsen’s Mom Cyndi, who recently passed away. Seeing her and sharing memories is always special. I also love that Carolyn is intentional about getting to know and spend time with each of our kids. She reminds them of how she sees Cyndi in each of them, and takes time to talk to them and listens to what they have to say.

One of my favorite traditions at the beach is singing the doxology before meals. Our voices and harmonies blend to create a beautiful sound.

Yukla and Carloyn enjoyed time together while eating dinner.

After eating, Erica and I headed back to the beach to look for agates and chat.

Along with playing in the sand, cooking in the kids outdoor play kitchen is always a highlight.

Eska decided she would be the taste tester, but was less than impressed with the food.

Finally, at high tide again, we decided to head towards the plane for our hour flight back home.

Photos were taken, goodbye hugs given and we loaded up.

We had to ask a group of tourists on the beach to move so we could take off. They ended up getting quite the Alaskan beach buzz. Later, the Lemans sent us our takeoff video, where we unknowingly blasted them with seaweed.

Can’t wait for more time at the beach next year.