Tuesday, May 27, 2014

End of the Road & Spit - Visiting Homer

With only a month left here in Alaska, there are a few Bucket List items that we still want to take care of before we head out.  So, we took advantage of the long Memorial Day weekend and headed out south to Homer to explore and enjoy more of Alaska's natural beauty!
Located near the southern tip of the Kenai Peninsula & about 5 hours south of Anchorage, Homer is variously described as “where the land ends and the sea begins,” “the cosmic hamlet by the sea,” an arts community, and a fishing community. Common to almost any description is an acknowledgement that Homer is situated in one of the most beautiful places in the world, with spectacular views of Kachemak Bay, the Kenai Mountains, and several volcanic peaks across Cook Inlet including Mt. Augustine, Mt. Iliamna, and Mt. Redoubt.
Homer is also famous for the Homer Spit, a 4.5 mile natural spit of land extending into Kachemak Bay. Accommodating Homer’s port facilities and small boat harbor along with numerous shops, restaurants, the Nick Dudiak “Fishing Hole,” campgrounds, charter fishing and sight-seeing businesses, and other attractions, the Spit is a beehive of activity during the summer months. Commercial fishing remains a vital part of the local economy. Homer lands more halibut than any other port in the world, earning the title of
“Halibut Capital of the World.”
Taking a quick break to stretch our legs, enjoy the sights, use the potty...
 and get coffee!
Don't these ladies have the most incredible office view?
Once we hit the bluff and could peer down on Katchemak Bay to see the picturesque town of Homer, we knew we were almost there!
In planning our weekend getaway, Brian hooked us up with some pretty incredible accommodations at the Lands End Resort which is literally at the end of the Spit (peninsula) looking out over the Bay and across to the Kenai Mountain Range & glaciers.
 Majestic view doesn't even begin to describe what we saw.



Lots of fish, birds and sea otters enjoying the Bay.
 Unfortunately, Brian didn't get to go out with these fellas,
but instead did a little shore fishing.
 The harbor was surprisingly HUGE.
So big that we had forgotten some famous crab boats dock themselves here during the summer months when they aren't being filmed for Deadliest Catch while braving the Bering Sea for Alaska's crab!
 

 We even caught a glimpse of the Cape Caution leaving the harbor.
And because kids don't float,
the kiddos got a kick out of wearing life jackets on the docks!
 Breakfast on the deck

 Just as soon as we were done eating, we hit the beach...

 
 



 

 My partner-in-crime.
 A man with his fishing rod, a beer, and his thoughts.
Classic Brian.
 
A few of my favorite spots along the Boardwalk.
What I didn't get a picture of was the great place we enjoyed some of the best Halibut & fries along with one of my dear friends I work with & her husband, Margaret & Mathew!
After we ate & drank some Homer brewed beer, we strolled the beach with the kids collecting all kinds of sea treasures!  What a wonderful time we all had!
 
When the weekend was over, we packed the truck full and headed home having enjoyed another weekend of adventure & Alaska beauty!
 Beauty in the middle of no where on the Kenai Peninsula!
 
 Views like this will certainly be missed when we leave Alaska next month.
 
 

1 comment:

Laura said...

I must say, you have a handle on how to use that new camera. Great pictures! :)