July 15

Blew off the gym this morning claiming that we have to get on the road.  Landlord stopped off with more towels, her husband owns the complex we are in.  She explained the confusing TV arrangement, it will still only get us a couple channels.  Finally packed we head south on the Seward Highway in sun and warmth.  We are in Turnagain Arm once again, never tiring of the views.  We stop at a recently opened gift shop that specializes in chain saw art.  We have watched and wondered about this huge log cabin for years as it took years to build.  It’s a very beautiful building so nice to finally be able to go in.   The chainsaw art is very refined given the large scale of the pieces and the use of a big saw.  Lots of other kinds of art are for sale, two willow branch chairs we’d like to put in our suitcases.  On past Girdwood ski Valley and Portage Glacier, now we enter the Kenai Peninsula known for fishing and all kinds of outdoor recreation.  Beautiful passes, glaciers and rivers.  We turn onto the Sterling Highway to Homer taking us through Cooper Landing and the beautiful turquoise Kenai Lake and the opal waters of the Kenai River.  Stop off at the national designated Kenazi archeological dig by the river.  Take a brief tour on the boardwalk showing the remains of their house and underground food caches.  There are many berries and herbs growing here and a recent black bear sighting.  Through all the main salmon fishing rivers and towns we finally start directly south.  The big volcanoes are in clear view across the inlet.  Even Augustine can be seen like a ghost in the distance. Luckily none of them are active today, but tomorrow who knows.  Stop at the Russian orthodox church and the conservation village of Ninilchik. Beautiful sites with the volcanoes as a backdrop.  Finally we come to Homer and it is partly overcast and warm.  It will be clearing out for the weekend.  We have booked at the Wild Rose Cottages, we are in the Raspberry Cottage. We have a very difficult time finding it. We are located high up above the Home Spit along a ridge running above it.  After several attempts we finally get there.  The property is owned by Bob and Ann for the past 50 years.  He was a commercial fisherman in Kachemak Bay (Homer), harvesting three types of crab until they were fished out and then went to halibut and salmon.  This is a several acre property with family homes and small homey cabins. Ours has antiques, kind of a grandma’s house.  Beautiful flowers are everywhere, even the famed Homer peonies that flourish and are a big market commodity these days.  We have a deck that overlooks Kachemak Bay below and Beluga Lake where float planes are taking off.  The owners have 2 miniature Australian sheep dogs and a female black lab.  They follow us into our cabin and make themselves at home until the male Aus dog tried to lift his leg on the corner of the bed.  Chuck makes short work of his leaving.  We drive down to the spit, a ‘natural’ thin strand of land that ‘spits’ out into the Bay.  The cliffs on the Homer side have seams of coal in them, so coal washes up on the shore from time to time.  It’s crazy out here.  It is now like Homer Disneyland since we lived here. They have filled in the spit and now hundreds of campers are everywhere.  We drive out to Lands End to sit on the patio in rocking chairs with an unobstructed view of the Bay, away from the madding crowd.  We can see the top of Katchemak Glacier as it spills into the Bay. Two large sea otters float by on their backs while the gulls try to steal their food.  The bald eagles, America’s national symbol, are dumpster diving for fish entrails and trying to steal food from the gulls, when they are not eating them!  Fishing boats, charters and Ak Ferry sail by.  Dinner at Captain Pattie’s per Ann’s recommendation.  It was good, but not outstanding.  Fish, scallops and shrimp all seemed fresh, the chowder was a little salty.  Back to the cottage after a full day.  Sitting on our deck overlooking the bay as the sun begins to sink behind us.  It’s still very light, very late, but we are losing minutes fast now that solstice is past.  As the sun leaves the temps drop dramatically, we can see our breath.  No hot sleeping tonight! Thinking about baby Dean, can’t believe how much we miss him already.  Even his temper is endearing.  Nighty night Dean, the neighbor’s dogs will not be sleeping with us!!!