On Beautiful Mount Marathon

Ronna, Darius and Sonora pose on top of Mount Marathon in Seward.  We offer free guided hikes to our guests every summer, some on easy terrain and some on more difficult trails.  We usually feature two or three of difficult hikes on this very mountain, a steep rugged climb that is also the stage for an exciting race every 4th of July. 

The Diamond M Ranch would like to thank all the runners who entered this year's race in Matti's honor and ran in his memory.  We appreciate you!  

D.Anne Martin races wearing an In Memory of Matti t-shirt.

RVing in Alaska: July Dipnetting Season Is Upon Us!

It's the middle of July, and for those of us with lodging accommodations next to the Kenai River, that means only one thing  Lots and lots of motor homes!  It seems like everybody and their brother (and mother and uncles and cousins, for that matter) are down from the Anchorage, hoping to get their nets in the water and load up on a winter freezer's worth of salmon.  We're glad to be of service and enjoy the energy that all these guests bring to our busy campground.   

Schools of salmon are making their last pilgrimage, leaving the cold ocean waters and making for the streams of their birth.  My kids and I were at a beach a couple days ago, young faces squealing with delight as we watched salmon make their way past a well-fed seal and up into the fresh water creek where we stood, slippery scales passing between our bare legs, thrashings tails leaving a brief wake of foaming white water before disappearing around the bend.          

God Bless America! Diamond M Ranch Wins 1st Place for 4th of July Parade Float!

Diamond M Ranch Campground Hosts (Ruthanne and Roger Jansen, and Sherry and Jim Diggs) got together, despite the busy summer, and mamaged to put together a float for the 4th of July parade that ended up winning 1st Place for Commercial/Business Floats! 

We had a lot of fun!  Even "Dolly Parton Varden" was there!

Here, two of our most precious float participants took advantage of a lull in parade activities to catch a few winks!  Doesn't get much cuter than this! 

Thank You, Alaska State HOG Rally Participants! We Had a Blast Hosting You!

(Click on panoramic to enlarge)

Some shots from the Alaska State HOG Rally this past weekend... 

 

By Thursday evening, this place was covered with bikers of all kinds.Many were Alaskan residents but quite a few came in from out-of-state to experience the first-ever Alaska state rally!

The deep purring sound of Harley engines formed a constant backdrop during the three day event.

Diamond M Ranch Resort family member, D.Anne Martin, considers whether or not to spend her college fund on a nice bike, instead...  Speaking of motorcycles, I was told that this particular bike was one of the winners of the 500 mile runs! 

...So, okay.  Maybe it wasn't the quietest event we've ever hosted...but at our weekly staff meeting this morning, the entire Diamond M Ranch Resort staff all agreed that we had a wonderful time working with the event coordinators and members of the Alaska State HOG Rally and hope to have the privilege of doing it again next year.  Thanks for a great time, everyone!

Summer Solstice 2010 and Matti's Farm Fest at the Diamond M Ranch Resort!

For more information about Matti's Farm, please see the website.

Summer Solstice is ALMOST HERE!  It is going to be SO MUCH FUN! 

Saturday, June 19th through Sunday, June 20th, 2010.   For more details, the band schedule, activities and more, click here.

Alaska Fishing Guides - Halibut Guides We Love

We are huge fans of Chihuly Charters.  When we have guests who want to go out and experience the delight of fishing for halibut in the Cook Inlet waters, we always see if Mike Chihuly has any available openings.

 Mike and Mark Chihuly have been residents of Alaska for over 40 years while Marvin Nelson was born in Afognak, Alaska.  Doug Blossom, who also guides with Chihuly Charters, was also born on the Kenai Peninsula and knows his way around the Inlet waters.  No other charter service has more experience, nor has fished longer, in Cook Inlet off the Deep Creek/Ninilchik beaches than Chihuly's Charters. 

Happy fishing!

Delicious Alaskan Salmon Dip Recipe

Here's a great dip idea to be used with the Salmon you just caught in the Kenai River (or anywhere else)! You can use this with sockeye (red) salmon, silver, or king. You can even used canned if you'd rather; it tastes terrific with any salmon. Take it to your next party or serve as an appetizer at your own!



Salmon Dip

From: Diamond M Ranch, B&B, Cabins & RV Park

2 c. Salmon (drained, if from jar)
1 8oz cream cheese
1 T lemon juice
2 t. grated onion
1 t. prepared horse radish
¼ t. liquid smoke, optional*

Chill after mixing with mixer. Jalapeños are a good addition for some.


*If you use smoked salmon, omit this ingredient.