SHOPPING

I'm totally unqualified to tell women where to go shopping in Soldotna or Kenai. There are many stores that will appeal to women, but I don't frequent them, so to name any would be a mistake. But I can give you a sense of what you can expect in the way of shopping here.

The two cities combined have a wintertime population of over 11,000. During the summer the numbers probably double. Being 150 miles from Anchorage, they have everything one needs -- much more than cities of this size in the Lower 48 would have.

Soldotna has one of the most popular hardware/fishing stores I've seen anywhere, Trustworthy Hardware, on Sterling Highway near the bridge in Soldotna. If they don't have the fishing supplies you want, you don't need them.

There are several banks in both cities.

Soldotna has a big 24 hour Safeway. Kenai has good grocery stores too.

Gas stations are abundant. Diesel and gas are very easy to find, and usually are cheaper than in the Lower 48.

Soldotna has a huge Fred-Meyer Store; but no Wal-Mart yet. Kenai is getting a Wal-Mart in the near future.

If you take a computer with you and it breaks, there are about four repair shops.

The local libraries are excellent -- stocked to help the residents through the long, dark winters.

There are lots of quaint little shops selling Alaskana souvenirs and authentic (some phony too) Native crafts and art.