NORTH TO ALASKA! –SEWARD to COOK INLET BEACH to HOMER

TRIP DAY – 36, 37, 38

DAILY MILES - 153 – 0 – 58

TOTAL MILES – 5330

7/20 –
Left Seward after five marvelous days and headed to Soldotna where we stopped to resupply. Then it was on to Kenai where we went to the Visitor Center to see the exhibits and videos. Next we visited Scout park which is on a high bluff overlooks the Cook Inlet where hundreds of people were standing in the cold water with long nets waiting for the tide to ebb to catch salmon. Most wore waders but some were just in jeans standing in 40 degree glacial water. Next we made a stop at the local McDonald's for ice cream where we decided to leave town, too many people and cars after such solitude. We headed to Deep Creek State Park where only a few RV’s and fishermen were about. We are camped right on the Cook Inlet beach across from two of the four active volcanoes along the opposite shore. Mount Redoubt erupted in 2009 sending ash 7 miles high. Mount Iliamna vents steam frequently. I’m trusting the giants to sleep until I get back to Kentucky. If bears aren’t enough to worry about you have volcanoes and earthquakes up here.

Camped right on the Cook Inlet beach

Mount Iliamna Volcano across the Inlet - about 70 miles

7/21 – We stayed on the beach another day. I just couldn’t leave Cook Inlet and the sound of the waves. The water elevation increases by as much as 30 feet at high tide. At low tide the locals are out on the flats digging clams. We camped by a nice couple from Texas and enjoyed conversation around our campfire well into the evening. Three soaring eagles circled our camper daily and I snapped tons of pictures of specks in the sky.

Homer Spit from bluff above town

7/22 – Finally we headed for Homer. When we arrived we drove the Skyline Drive and took pictures of the Homer Spit (strip of land that extends into the bay) from the bluff. We then drove into town and all the way to the end of the Spit. All camping on the Spit was in the full sun and I’m already a bit red from sitting on the beach so we headed to Ocean View RV Park in town where we can get some shade. A visit to the Islands and Ocean Visitor Center and Pratt Museum filled the remainder of the day. I think we’ll pass on the crowded shops and restaurants out on the Spit and head back north in the morning. We plan on stopping for a day at Portage Glacier and also seeing the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center before heading for Anchorage. I probably won’t have Internet until we reach Anchorage, so I’ll see you up the road.