Sitting quietly on Bishop’s Beach, the sun set into Kachemak Bay and turned the sky behind the active volcano on Augustine Island a lava-like red and orange. Even as I listened to a few 2-stroke dirt bikes tearing around in the distance (yes, you can drive on Bishop Beach) I thought about how isolated this area feels. Homer has all the amenities of a medium-sized town, but at this time of year the seasonal workers had all left (or, are leaving tomorrow that day as in the case of a couple I met at the Salty Dog Saloon earlier) so the normally-bustling-with-tourists Homer Spit looked like a ghost town.
The Famous Salty Dawg
Even though the long Spit looks like the end of the world, there are other settlements far from easy reach. I was thinking specifically about Seldovia which is reachable only by a seasonal ferry or plane. If this town felt secluded, how would it feel to watch the sun set from way over there? Maybe I’ll find out one day, but the end of Alaska for this trip will have to be here in Homer.
Of course, someone with deeper pockets than I can charter a plane to fly not only to the small town of Seldovia, but to Nature Preserves, Kodiak Island and even further to the incredibly secluded Aleutian Islands. Wouldn’t it be cool to see WWII relics on Attu Island?
Homer is, as their sign will remind you, the Halibut capital of the world. I didn’t have any halibut but I did have an outstanding Italian dinner at Fat Olive’s Restaurant. Luckily I was the last one they allowed in before closing. I guess I almost contemplated my seclusion a little too long out at Bishop’s Beach.
The view from the Alaskan Suites
My evening ended at the Alaskan Suites, which are a beautiful set of cabins set high upon a bluff. I was so impressed with the accomodations. The heater was powerful, they had a gas grill (which I didn’t use), sleeping space for 5 adults or (4 adults and 2 kids), a huge HDTV with surround sound and an outdoor hot tub. Now, I was pumped for the outdoor hot tub, but I just couldn’t get it hot enough to be comfortable. Thumbs down to that.
The next morning, my journey to Seward began, but not before grabbing some breakfast to go from Two Sister’s Bakery. You absolutely cannot go wrong here. The September morning chill was no match for a steaming cup of hot chocolate, a warm cinnamon roll and a chocolate brownie wrapped up for later.
