Yes, I'm reappropriating my own blog name. But it is the halibut fishing capital of the world, so they say.
But first, a little side trip to Alyeska on the way from Anchorage. If you are going this route, I would highly recommend the stop; better served by car. I rented a car in Anchorage, after eating a huge breakfast at Peggy's Restaurant.
The Alyeska Aerial Tram is located at the Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, about an hour southwest of Anchorage on Highway 1. The tram climbs 2000 feet to a height of 2300 feet at the observation deck. There are restaurants, a bar, and a gift shop. Plus you can hike a few trails and go higher. Some even hike up and take the tram down, or hike up and down.
I took the tram up and down ($35 fee in 2021) and hiked up a bit higher to a summit trail for extraordinary views! Watch out for the ice still on the ground in July.
A great 2 hour diversion! Now on to Homer.
I'm so glad I went to Homer, even though there was a setback in activity plans. The morning after arriving, I was set to traverse the bay in a kayak and hike to a glacier lake. But at the hotel, I found that I left my phone charger at the last hotel! I'm at 14% battery! Someone got a freebie at that last place. For the kayak tour, I would need lunch, so I set off to Safeway for food shopping and charger shopping.
While shopping, I received a message that my tour was canceled. I'm not sure what the reason was, but things happen. So, more relaxation time or sleeping in. But first, it was time to eat supper. Hmm, July 5th on a Monday is still a holiday and every restaurant was also taking the day off! I could eat my previously purchased Safeway lunch sandwich, or...head back to Safeway for microwave frozen dinner. One of these days I'll eat fresh seafood. At least the beach views are great, even if the temperature at the coast is colder.
Instead of an 8 am wake up call, I slept until 11:30 and went into the town and area called Homer Spit. The land at the end of the peninsula surrounded by Kachemak Bay just narrows to a spot literally at the end of the land. Seriously, there is a hotel called Land's End there. And on both sides of the road, adventure outfitters, restaurants, and shops.
I had this fabulous plate of grilled halibut, scallops, salmon, and prawns at Captain Pattie's Fish House. Lunch was paired with an absolutely tasty local brew Red Knot Scottish from Homer Brewing. A room with a view on the bay. Finally Halibut in Homer.
As you can see here, this is where tons of fishing is done for a lot of Alaska and the lower 48. This was from a charter just coming in with today's catch. Those participants will get their filets frozen and shipped. Halibut, Salmon, and Rockfish (aka Red Snapper).
After a day of perusing the shops, I went to another local favorite Lighthouse Seafood Drive-thru for Fish & Chips (halibut of course) and a picnic on Bishop's Beach. Check out the black sand and pebbles on the beach.
Even though I didn't kayak for the first time, I didn't regret spending quality time in lovely Homer.
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