Day 43 Ninilchik

Beautiful sunny day in Ninilchik.  A great day for digging clams.
                                                     This is your basic clam digging uniform.

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, off to claming we go.

Phil and Dee (left), the campground owners, provided the equipment and instruction.

Let the digging begin.

Lon did his part.

Heidi came back to report on the progress.

And they dug.

And dug.

Looks like they are wearing down.

Stop to wash the bounty.

The Hunter-Gatherers return.

 The bounty. The Pacific razor clam (Siliqua patula) is an exceptionally meaty shellfish which ranges from California to Alaska. It is abundant on surf-pounded ocean beaches, but also occurs in sheltered areas along the coast. Razor clams found in Alaska may grow to eleven inches in length and live to be 15 years old, due to colder water temperatures and slower growth rates. You need an Alaska fishing license to harvest clams.

First wash the hunter-gatherers.

Then wash the clams again and a short dip in boiling water.

Then comes the shucking of the shells.

Then the gutting

and cleaning instructions.

When the woman's work was done, they rested and drank beer.

Pam made Clam chowder and Lon made Fried Clams.

And Heidi supervised and wondered why it took so long?

After dinner, Phil and Dee over for the camp fire social gathering.

They explained that this is a "Sun Dog".

Look it up.

They also ask us to stay another day, "on Phil". Pretty nice offer, we will have to consider!