Boondock–
Woke this morning north of Homer, Alaska at our boondock site just off the Sterling Highway to rain and a temp of 48 degrees F. We’re very close to Cook Inlet and we’re socked in. Later in the morning the fog lifted slightly and we were able to get a peek of the Aleutian Range from the motor home. The weather forecast is for rain today and tomorrow all day.
Homer, Alaska–
Whoa! Homer is one busy place! First there’s world class fishing here and many Alaskans come here to catch their limit during the season to feed their families all winter so “combat fishing” usually ensues at this time of year. (combat fishing–fishermen lining the shore with hardly a foot of space between them) Also, this is a tourist mecca as there’s every type of adventure offered, albeit for a price. So between the Alaskans trying to provide for their families and so many tourists, this place is hopping! Oh, but it’s also beautiful. Just about everywhere you look there’s a water view and the Aleutian Range can be seen and enjoyed from most vantage points in Homer. With the tourist come lots of restaurants, gift shops, etc. One of the many good things is there is a well respected museum here that we will visit that tomorrow.
So, here’s the problem. The salmon aren’t running yet! They’re always running by now! The fisherman are waiting. The scientists say it’s related to the global warming but that the salmon will be running soon, hopefully.
Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center–
This museum/research/information center is free. The staff are very helpful and friendly and were able to answer all of our questions. There’s an estuary adjacent to the center and beyond that is Kachemak Bay and the ocean. The museum displays are mostly about the Aleutian Islands and supposedly takes the place of being there by allowing visitors to “virtually visit” interactively. Not so much for me, it just made me want to see the islands more than before we came here! Ha, this from someone so prone to sea sickness and the ocean here is really rough!
We took the trail through the estuary out to the Kachemak Bay. Beautiful. Saw Sandhill Cranes and many other birds. The rain has stopped and because there’s a light breeze there are no mosquitoes. The sun is out this afternoon and it’s 65 degrees outside (feels much warmer in the sun). OK, so I’m thinking the weatherman doesn’t look out the window. Hope he’s wrong about tomorrow as well. We spent most of the day between the center, estuary, and Kachemak Bay. Ate our lunch near the beautiful Kachemak Bay.
When we got back to the parking lot there was a moose grazing near it! Goes to show you just how much wildlife there is in Alaska! We seem to see wildlife just when we least expect it. Jerry laughed and told some arriving visitors “See, you practically don’t even need to leave the parking lot!”
