Homer Sapiens!!

We said our goodbyes to Seward and headed off into the clouds towards Homer, hoping it wasn't raining where we were going to spend the 4th of July.

Around every corner is another lake or river ... and rain clouds.  Summer runoff is still high, making for the most beautiful turquoise rivers I have ever seen.

There are lots of interesting signs along the way, most I can't capture while driving.   Here they sell lots of different varieties of beer and with each, you get free mosquitos!!!  The recession has hit here also ... many businesses are closed.  I keep telling Patty we could open a quilt/something shop.  Quilt/Beer, Quilt/Guns, Quilt/Something to keep the men busy kind of store.

A short drive later, we arrived in Ninilchik where we decided to spend at least one night while we found a place to stay in Homer.  Being such a big holiday, Dan thought everyone might be booked, or worse, we would pay an arm and a leg!!  

We drove by the local tiny Ninilchik harbor, which is fascinating.  The boats are all touching each other ... in the mud!!  The tide is out and most aren't even floating.  Not only that, but unless the first three boats go out, NO ONE goes out.  There are no waterways ... only maybe 50 boats all tied together.  When the tide comes in, they will all probably rise 10 feet or more and must exit and return en masse! 

The sports fishermen are on the ocean side, having tractors launch them down a very steep ramp and bring them in.  While we were there, this one was pulled in.  The local fish racks were full of halibut.

Further on was a small RV park where we got out to look at the stream going into the ocean.  What a sight we saw!!  Three full grown eagles (two here) and LOTS of juveniles!

Probably five juveniles were in and around the creek.

These two, the biggest, were both eating salmon.  Careful to keep the seagulls at bay, they were definitely getting their fill.

Around the corner, this baby was waiting for them to leave the feeding grounds.

From Ninilchik we drove to Homer, checking out all the RV parks on the way.  The first stop was the best.  Talk about an oceanside view ... wait til you see!!  Patty and I discussed a halibut fishing charter, but decided to hit the local fresh fish market instead.  Charter $120 ea, Tip $25, Fish Cleaning $25, Seasick Patch $15 ... total $185.00 each for $50.00 worth of fish.  I pass ......

Eagles are everywhere here ... we saw 6 or 7 flying overhead within 10 minutes.  

This is a good shot of the "Spit" from a roadside rest on the hill.  It doesn't look like much more than a sand bar from this distance.  Once down in Homer, we drove all the way out to the end.  It's like the Santa Cruz Boardwalk ... interesting buildings all along the way, restaurants, gift shops, fishing trips and native crafts, including one named Homer Sapiens.  We will be spending time here later.

While driving out the spit itself, this seagull kept up with us, right outside my window.  He flew alongside for maybe a half mile!!  How weird is that??  Got some great pictures of him flying though!!

Today we pack up and head to our new digs and become Homer's newest Homer Sapiens!!