Over the ages, the Kenai Peninsula has had one makeover after another as glaciers have waxed and waned over Southcentral Alaska like phases of the moon.

...beach where she collapsed into a camp chair as she worried about money. It costs $15 for each 12 hours to park at the Kenai beach. Parking and camping for two days can cost $120, she said. Still, she figures she will be back: "It gets us through...