AK 2014: May 2014

Homer, AK: The End of the Road

The road ends at Homer

We have driven to the end of the Alaska Highway at Homer. To get any further south, you take a plane or ferry, Dave and I spent my 50th birthday at Homer and I have always wanted to return. While planning this trip, my best friend Jannie from Earlham College put me back in touch with Sue, another college friend. Sue owns a home in Homer and in the true Alaskan hospitality spirit offered her house to us. I wanted a few days at an RV park right on the Homer Spit which is as far into the inlet as possible. That was enough of wind blown, isolated conditions and we gratefully moved into Sue's empty house and quickly spread out!

Homer from the bluff with "the spit" stretching into the horizon. That's where the RV park is located with winds circling the bay (lf) and the inlet (rt).

Judy and Nancy ahead of the tourists! Our van is on the far left.


The park a week later - thankfully we were at Sue's house


the view from Sue's balcony


Sue's garden surrounded by moose fencing

Forest Service sign on Homer hiking trail

...and they weren't kidding!!!

More on the road to Homer

On the road to Homer...continued


everything is BIG...


...or even BIGGER...

We discover Bearly
Threaded Quilt Shop


and a porcupine

Trumpeter swans have arrived from their migration to find their life mate.

Nancy and her many questions left the ranger scratching his head!

On the Road to Homer

The Road to Homer

We travel the Alaska Highway all the way to the end of the road at Homer, AK ( the red square on the map). Along the way, we enjoy some (a)typical Alaskan sights!


an honor system lifejacket loaner station


don't worry, I didn't buy any or shoot one - moose shed these every year

the Russian Orthodox Church is very prevalent on the Kenai Peninsula

the parish house

More from Kenai Fjords NP

More from Kenai Fjords National Park


one of many tidal glaciers in the marine park


anyone who knows Dave calls this our "noble eagle" (we don't use the "B" word)


sea bird rookery

mountain goats on the steep sea cliffs

my ultimate Orca experience !!

Kenai Fjords National Park

Kenai Fjords National Park: Seward, AK

Judy and I had barely arrived in Seward when we spotted the Kenai Fjords NP tours office. I had 1/2 hour before their boat tour began so I scrambled to buy a ticket, pack my lunch and put on layers of clothes for the 6 hour tour. Dave and I took this same boat tour in 1996 and due to high winds and bad weather, the captain had to turn the boat around and head back to the marina. Today was smooth sailing with fabulous views of humpback whales, orcas, Steller's sea lions, mountain goats, bird rookeries and glaciers.

boarding photo

female humpback with calf following behind


humpback tail


Steller's sea lions

Seward, AK

Seward, AK and Kenai Fjords National Park

Judy and I decided to "motel it" in Seward after our 6 days on the ferry. It was directly across from the marina and the boats leading tours of the Kenai Fjord NP.


sea otter at the marina

In 1991, Judy and Kris discovered Ray's Seafood Restaurant in Seward. Based on their recommendation, Dave and I found it in 1993 and had the best fish chowder in our lives.
Our motel was directly behind Ray's and Judy waited for me to return from the Kenai Fjords tour to enjoy the fish chowder once again 20+ years later!

Alaska Mainland: Whittier to Seward

On the Alaska Mainland: Whittier to Seward

our route on the Kenai Peninsula

Our Alaska Marine Ferry docked at Whittier after 6 days traveling the Inside Passage and across the Gulf of Alaska. Judy drove the RV out of the ship's hold and then we waited in line for the hourly change in direction through Whittier's one way tunnel carved through solid rock for 2.5 miles. The one-way, one-lane tunnel is also used by the train! When driving through it, you have to straddle the tracks and hope you have no breakdown.

waiting for the train to clear the tunnel

We emerged from the Whittier tunnel to this early morning, heart stopping scene. At first, I thought my eyes were playing tricks after the darkness of the tunnel. A loon calling made this even more surreal.

Gulf of Alaska approach to Whittier, AK

We can not believe our luck with the weather. Judy will tell you I boarded the ferry with a large laundry bag loaded with many layers of clothing, including my rain coat, slip-on rain pants and water proof rain boots for standing on the deck to look for whales and other marine life. At the most, I wore a long-sleeved polo shirt and one fleece layer.

mountains, each more spectacular than the last

More from the Alaska Marine Ferry ride

our cafe

Nancy looking for whales


passing Misty Fiords National Monument - Inside Passage

Alaska Marine Ferry ride

               Snippets from our 5 days on the
                              Alaska Marine Ferry

Judy and I boarded the ferry at Bellingham, WA and for 5 nts and parts of 6 days, we traveled The Inside Passage and then out into the open ocean and across the Gulf of Alaska to arrive at Whittier, AK 2 days ago.

Neither of us experienced any seasickness. Our state room was actually roomier than we expected with 4 berths, 2 of which we made up each morning into a comfortable couch. We had an en suite bathroom with instant hot water and the best shower either of us have ever had traveling.

The restaurant on board had not opened for the season yet. We are definitely traveling before most tourists. Food was NOT included in our ferry rates but could be purchased at the cafe on board. It was adequate but we were glad to have purchased snacks, drinks and sandwich makings which we were allowed to carry on board. A plain hot dog at the cafe was $10.50. We did "spring" for a fresh halibut meal and it was delicious.