We awoke to the predicted rain after our magical boondocking sunset and headed south toward Homer. The drive was beautiful, but very wet, so I have no pictures. Both Seward and Homer are on the Kenai peninsula, and that area is a temperate rainforest. I know! It’s hard to imagine an Alaskan rainforest, but it’s true! Unfortunately, August is the rainy season. It rained on and off the entire time we were in Homer.
Homer
Homer is a town of approximately 5,000 residents that has a infamous spit of land that juts out into the Kachemak Bay about 4.5 miles. It’s just called “the spit”. In between rain showers, we donned our rain gear and headed out to explore the spit’s shops.
One cannot go to the spit without stopping at the Salty Dawg. It is an infamous bar that must be seen to say you have been in Homer. Built in 1897 as a cabin, it became the first post office and was added onto in 1909. It became the Salty Dawg saloon in 1957. It is full of dollar bills that people put on the wall to claim their place in Homer history. I texted my neighbors to ask where their dollar bill was, and they told me to just keep looking. I’d still be there; we did not find it.
Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitors Center
Being a bird lover, I had to visit this Visitors Center. They had some nice displays and a 20 minute movie that showcases the largest seabird refuge in the world. The Alaska Maritime National Wildlife refuge emcompasses the Alleutian island chain and film shows places that would be almost impossible to visit. It’s worth a stop if you love birds as I do. If you happen to be here in May you can attend the Kachemak Bay Shorebird festival. It celebrates the arrive of over 100,000 migrating birds! I recommend a hat!
Homer Overlook
We had a cloudy but somewhat lesser rain day, so we took the drive to Skyline drive. The views were stunning and included the Grewingk glacier, named after a German geologist. This glacier comes off the same Harding Icefield that Exit glacier in Seward also called mother.
Fisherman’s Hole
Hope
Leaving Homer, we headed back towards Anchorage but since we still had a few more days before Victoria needed to be at the airport, we took the turn off to Hope. The 17.8 mile long road leads from the Seward highway to the little town on the Turnagain Arm. It is a beautiful drive and a very nice campground at the end. Rain continued, so we hung out, took Dottie for a few walks and noticed that fall was almost here.
Dropping Victoria at the airport
We both missed Victoria after we dropped her in Anchorage at the airport.
What a beautiful excursion Karen! I love following your journey. I can’t say that my retirement has been as eventful, but looking forward to 2023 and what it will bring.
Beautiful and interesting pictures Karen! Thanks for sharing š„°