Homer

25-27th July

Three days to explore Homer, Homer Spit and Seldovia. We are staying at Homer Spit Campground, at the tip of the Spit. The spit is 5 miles long and is the tourist hub of Homer. Tours, fishing charters, ferries, tourist traps, restaurants and cafes nestle along the shores of the spit, along with a huge 920 berth marina. There are the fish cleaning stations, large boat ramps, coast guard dock, boat mechanics and much more. A great place to wander and explore. Board walks meander along the shoreline and edge of the marina and we find it easy to clock up steps as we walk from one end to the other numerous times checking out the movement of boats and people. The first day here is just checking out places and soaking in the quirkiness of this area!

(P- Judith is correct about the quirkiness and rustic charm of the Homer Spit. It’s a feast of visual overload of a nautical theme).

The morning of the 26th we pack up the camper and head into Homer for a drive around the area. We turned right as we came off the spit and drove towards the head of the bay. It’s a beautiful drive, following the edge of the bay, looking out over the water and back towards the spit. Homesteaders here are cutting and baling hay. Only small crops and some very lopsided round bales.

At home we have watched TV series “Alaska, The Last Frontier”. Mainly for the scenery. This is actually filmed near here and we keep an eye out for the property.

(P-Well I am feeling bit cheated! “Alaska- The last Frontier” to me that conjures up thoughts of remote, isolated, homesteaders, no neighbours within a “Bulls Roar” etc. etc. The Kilcher family which the documentary is based around is 12 miles out of Homer, 3/4 of a mile from a blacktop road, has electricity to the property, A fully developed blacktop and then gravel road to their “Remote” cattle run at he “Head Of the Bay” – so the moral of this story is NEVER believe what you see on TV! Their homestead is as remote as our house is from Ulverstone!)

We walk down a track to get some views over the Head of the Bay and back along the cliffs towards Homer. Some wildflowers are about but the season is about 3 weeks late so the fireweed is not in bloom yet.

Once back at the park we wander and have a poke around some of the tourist shops and down to look at some of the many boats moored at the marina. All manner of shape, style and size. We decide that we will do a day trip cruise to Seldovia tomorrow so head up to book tickets.