We awoke in Homer to a rainy, foggy very cool day. We are told that Homer is having a cooler than usual summer, but who’s complaining – better than 102° in Texas.
Today is a free day. We started with a late and leisurely breakfast at Sourdough Express Bakery – very good. The story of the bakery is interesting. The owners, Donna and Kevin Maita, arrived in Homer in 1982 in an old panel truck equipped with a propane oven that would bake six loaves of bread. With $42.00 in their pocket, they set up shop out on the Spit. Within l6 weeks they had established themselves and become part of Homer. The rest is history. The little truck they arrived in now sits in front of the bakery for children to play in.
Next stop was the Homer Airport Terminal. Inside was a comprehensive pictorial narrative history of Homer and the settlement of this area. People who came here to homestead were a tough and hardy breed with an independent and make-do spirit. They gathered coal off the beach and did whatever was necessary to survive. This display covered every aspect of life – getting here, getting food, building a house, “proving” your claim, building schools – an excellent, easy to follow story of Homer.
The Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center was next on our agenda. The films and displays were so well done. Certainly we got a better understanding of the land, the water, and the animals of coastal Alaska.
Fireweed Gallery rounded out our day of prowling. It is more than just a gift shop. It is a gallery of unique, handmade art by Alaskan artists, some of them local. Two unusual pieces were life-size motorcycles made from forks, strainers and assorted other pieces of hardware.
Later in the afternoon, we decided to go to Anchor Point – farthest westerly drivable point. On the way we saw our best moose yet – a large bull with velvet on his rack about 30 yards from the road. We stopped and watched for quite a while. He turned and came toward us, seemingly undisturbed by the traffic. He was so close. It was a real Kodak moment!
At the Anchor Point State Park, we watched the boats being pulled out by a tractor. Boaters and commercial fishermen pay $58 to be put in and the pulled out. Each boat trailer has a number assigned. Captains radio in when they are ready to come out of the water. The tractor then finds their trailer and backs into the surf – (water up to the motor) and hauls them out. The tires on the tractor were almost as tall as we were. It was quite an operation.
Before we knew it, it was time for our staff bar-b-que and travel briefing – time to say good-bye to charming Homer, Kachemack Bay and glacier views. Tomorrow it’s on to Palmer and more adventures.
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