Sterling, Soldotna, and Homer

June 30, 2012

Headed out to Homer, but before we left, Charlie spotted a big ole' Moose right off from the RV - it was just munching along as it walked - I got a great video of it for you Meg. : )

On our way to Homer, we stopped at Clam Gulch Campground and talked to the hosts there.  They told us we could come back at a low tide and dig for clams - so we got out and walked around - what a wonderful view of the ocean!  We decided to check the tide schedule and pick a time to come back. They say it needs to be below -2.0 feet to be the best with - 4.0 feet being even better.

We next stopped at Deep Creek and saw something we had never seen - they were launching boats with a tractor!  The boat would come bounding in, barely slowing down, drive up on the trailer, and the tractor would just pull them out.  The people stayed on boat until the tractor unhooked, and then they put up a step ladder so they could climb down.  It was very efficient, and as soon as one boat was out of the way, another would come in.  I read later that once they started doing it this way, they no longer had to wait to launch based on the tides, they could come and go as they wished.  Pretty smart I think.  They were John Deere tractors, but they had pictures of a moose and a salmon on the front of them instead of the green deer.

We then stopped and talked to the hosts at the Kilchakek - (or something like that.. ) river.  The water was that pretty glacier greenish blue, and was fairly shallow.  They were counting 8000 a day going thru the weir ( the thing that counts the fish...) but very few were being caught.  The couple were from Wisconsin, and this was their 14th trip to Alaska.

At Anchor point, we stopped at a Farmer's Market and bought organic bok choy for a dollar, and two hotdogs from the senior center.

When we got to Homer, we stopped at a larger Farmer's market and found some wonderful jelly and cards.  The cards have pen and ink drawings of various places around Alaska and the artist was so passionate about each of them.  The artist, Karol  Kahn Miller,  was born in the Alaskan territories, and she told us what she remembered about each site in the pictures and why she had chosen them.  Charlie and I bought 3 each, and I think they are perfect in representing where we have been.  The artist signed each of them for us, and I got Charlies picture with her.   

As we walked on, we found a lady that was selling various jellies, and one of them was made from the Fireweed flowers that we saw all over the Alaska as we first got here.  It was light pink, fragrant and delicious. Charlie especially liked it and bought some for our morning biscuits.

Later on I found a booth that also had homemade jellies and they had one made out of the new growth on Spruce trees.  I of course had to try it, and it was amazingly good.  I should have bought some, but I didn't.  I may try to make some at some point though...




When we were looking for Halibut charters a man noticed Charlie's VT sweatshirt and cam up to talk to us.  He said he and his wife are moving to Stanton soon, and we gave him ideas about that area and what to expect, and he gave us tips on where to get a charter and where to buy fishing gear in Homer and not pay tourist prices.  We went there and loved the store, and it have everything in the world in it.

As we were leaving the store I got a great shot of a dog sitting in the drivers seat of the truck next to us, his expression was priceless.

On the way home we stopped and got flyers from Nilichik for some charters that we will take out when the tide is right and go fishing for Halibut.

Very productive day.  We have decided to stay here one more day and then head north and try to come  back for the second salmon run in mid- July.