So where do I start to explain the highs and lows of today. Not even sure I have the right words but here I go. This morning we headed to Anchorage International Airport to check in for our flight to King Salmon which was due to depart at 12.15pm. At 11.15am they made an announcement that our flight was delayed due to the plane being on a "maintenance hold" and an update will be given at 1pm. They then did the same for 2 other flights and then cancelled one. Honestly thought ours would be cancelled but we finally boarded around 1pm. It was about 1.5hrs to King Salmon where we were collected by Katmai Air and driven to the float plane dock. Probably had to hang around there for an hour before we finally boarded the float plane to get out to Brooks Lodge. It is so frustrating when you just want to get somewhere but can't because of circumstances out of your control.

We had been worried about the float plane trip over but it was much smoother then we thought. We were only in a small one so it was just mum and I and another couple. Fly pretty low so good views and then finally after about 20min, there it was, Brooks River Lodge and you could see the falls up on the river. As we came in to land, we could see bears playing on the beach. The adventure had finally started. Off the plane and we headed straight to the Rangers Station to have our bear orientation talk. Had to watch a short video and we were given an orientation of the camp. Advised we needed to stay 50 feet away from any bears and if you encounter one along the trail, slowly back away, talk to it and keep calm!!!

We were then able to check into the lodge for our accommodation. We asked about a fishing trip for mum but they were pretty much booked out for the next day and wasn't too sure for Thursday. They were 4hr guided trips. Mum said she wasn't sure if she wanted to give up 4hrs of bear viewing but then they mentioned they might be able to get a guide to take her out now if she wanted for approx 1.5hrs so we decided to go with that.

We got taken to our little cabin, dumped our bags, did a quick change and headed back. It was then decided it would be better for us to have dinner first before going out so we ate around 5.30pm. The meals at the lodge are all buffet style so we had soup, salad, hot dishes and dessert before we met our guide Nick. I was also able to go out so I could take photos. We were both given waders to put on...a bit like a onsie but waterproof and the trousers came up to about your waist so looks like overalls. They also gave us heavy style hiking books to wear over the onesie feet. Little awkward to put on but we finally managed.

We were taken out and got to cross the bridge and then headed into the water to fish. I stayed on the shore to take some photos (well that was the idea) but before too long, I looked behind me and a bear came out of the tall grass and on to the shore so into the water I headed too. Surprising how waterproof those waders are. Mum fished for about 1.5hrs and she managed to hook about 2 Sockeye Salmon and landed one, which she was very excited about. Mum was surprised by how much of a fight the salmon put up and was pretty happy to have landed it. Nick, scooped him up in a net, took it our for a photo shot, said it was about 4lbs and then set it free to swim up river and probably get eaten by a bear!!

While fishing we also had a couple of other bears in the water too, which to think back on is pretty incredible. We headed out of the waters and back across the bridge. Nick advised us that the bridge has been closed quite a bit over past few days so get across when you can. A ranger is posted on the platform at one end of the bridge but goes off duty about 7pm and after that,, you use your own common sense. After getting out of our wader gear, we returned to our rooms for a couple of things and then made our way across the bridge and to the famous Falls. It is about 0.6miles along the wider road to the trail entry and then another 0.6miles to the falls. This trail is quite narrow and surrounded by forest. Just kept talking loud and making noise but half way along the trail we ran into a couple who said there was 4 sub-adult bears (teenagers) hanging on the trail and didn't look like they wanted to move. They were quite happy playing on the trail and keeping in our way. Eventually we heard people coming from the other side and there must have been a ranger because she gave us some directions to back up but when that didn't seem to work, told us we could 'bushwhack' through the forest to get around them and back on the trail so that is what we did.

Kept going on the trail and then got to the board walk that led up to the platform, checked in with the ranger and there we were, this amazing place we have been watching on these cameras on the internet and we have talked about so much. So excited to see there were actual bears. We got to spend about 1.5hrs watching them as the platform closes at 10pm to give the 'shy' bears a chance to eat without spectators. We had about 6 adult bears fishing at the base of the falls and even on the top of the falls and a mum and cubs also came to visit. We walked out with a group but the night wasn't quite over because just next to the walkway, a sow had started digging a hole to nest in for the night with her 3 cubs. An amazing way to end a day that started off with concern that we weren't going to make it at all.

Made it back to camp and across the bridge and mum wanted a drink. However, in Alaska, you can't buy an alcoholic drink unless you have ID, regardless of age and you can only buy it for yourself. Crazy. Just had a soft drink instead and then chatted with the couple we had met on the trail. Walked back to the cabin around 11.30pm and there was still light to see the trail.