Mile 15763

 After a couple of relaxing days in Palmer / Anchorage and doing a lot of nothing, we leave this morning and head back to Anchorage, AK, crossing the Knik River. 

The raven whispers to the bear: 

"I really enjoy watching you fish for Salmon in Ship Creek"

'Attaining balance within'

Eagle and Giant Clam & Raven stealing the Moon and Stars

Racing in the footsteps of a legend and Statue of a soldier in front of the Veterans Museum

 In Anchorage we stop for a quick second breakfast and find Hwy-1 again.  We follow the Turnagain Arm, one of my favorite coastal roads, with the Chugach Range to both sides.  The wind is blowing hefty, and when stopping at Beluga Point we could not find any because of the choppy waters.  

Looking for Belugas, Turnagain Arm

Portage Lake and Burns Glacier, and Baird peak; Byron Glacier

 At the end of the bay we turn in to Portage Lake and the same named glacier.  We take a hike at the Blue Ice Trail, but don't see very much of the Portage Glacier because of the rain setting in.  Since we are already here, we drive through the 2.5 miles long tunnel to Whittier, Ak.  We stop at the Lazy Otter Charters for a late lunch and stroll a bit around.  The town with its population of about 260 people is a major hub for cruise ships, next to being a seaport and railway port for the peninsula and Anchorage. 

Tunnel entry and exit to Whittier, AK

Harbor and Cruise Liner

Lots reminds me of the construction camps in the former Soviet Union

 Returning to Hwy-1 we continue our way to Soldotna, AK, and further South to Homer, AK.  The drive to Homer is breath taking with the white mountains of the Kenai Fjords National Park to the East, and the rolling hills down to the coast on the West.  We arrive in Homer late evening and are taken away by the view across the Kachemak Bay to the mountains of the same named State Park.

View across the Kachemak Bay

 Today we take it easy and explore Homer and Homer Spit, AK and the surroundings of Kachemak Bay. We have breakfast in Kachemak, AK at a little bagel shop, and then follow the road to its end along the bay.  We get an ever anew and a 'never getting enough of it' view of the glaciers and mountains of the Kenai Mountain Range.  Just breathtaking those mountains.  

Morning over Kachemak Bay

Kenai Mountain Range

 We return to Homer late morning and head to Homer Spit.  This area is the hot spot for any sport and/or professional fisher for Halibut, Salmon, Lingcod, and Rockfish.  The campsites are full with RV's and boot trailers, and in the afternoon the harbor is buzzing with the boots returning from the fishing trips.  Right at the harbor are shops preparing your fish and sending them home for you in cooler boxes.  But also fun are the many shops along the boardwalk.  

This will not stand a storm, Homer Spit, AK

Boardwalk Homer Spit, AK

View over the harbor, Homer Spit, AK

Many crafts and art shops one side of the Homer Spit Rd on the causeway, and lots of restaurants on the other side toward the harbor.  All seafood is fresh (wouldn't expect anything else) and delicious.  We soak in the atmosphere of this vibrant patch of town, and celebrate Elke's birthday with some good drinks and food.  After spending some money on local art and a birthday present, we let the day end lazily.

Happy Birthday Elke

"Don't just count the years, make your years count."  -  George Meredith, English novelist and poet, 1828-1909