Sep 2, 20203 min read

Sweet Homer Way Alaska

* Original Journal Entry October 11th 2019 *

Homer

Homer, Alaska is located on the Southwest end of the Kenai Peninsula. It’s known as the Halibut Capital of the World. It’s unlike other cities/towns in Alaska, often being referred to as the“cosmic hamlet by the sea”because of the eclectic vibe the local fishermen, farmers, artists, and crafters foster.

Seafarers Memorial

Every time a commercial fishing boat leaves the harbor, loved ones left standing on shore know one of two things will happen. Their fishermen will return with a bright fresh seafood payload, or they will never see safe harbor again.

Why do they do it? Risk and reward. Ask any gambler. Add addicting freedom, adventure and the pure joy of living in close touch with the ocean and you can begin to understand the soul of the seafarer.

"A tribute to the living and the lost" that stands as a heart-wrenching reminder of the dangers of the sea and the power of the community that loves the men and women who go to sea to put heathy protein on the tables of the world. It is also a lasting testament to the strength of people pooling their efforts to fulfill a dream.

The Salty Dog

We stopped into the Salty Dog Saloon (featured on Deadliest Catch) where we walked into the welcoming of a local bar tender who told stories of fisherman at sea. She moved to AK in the 60s from San Antonio & remembered our names after the first intro. She also made the best Irish Creme I’ve ever had. The Salty Dawg started out as one of the first cabins built in 1897, soon after Homer became a town site. It served as the first post office, a railroad station, a grocery store, and a coal mining office for twenty years. In 1909 a second building was constructed, and it served as a school house, post office, grocery store. And at one time, it housed three adults and eleven children.

When asked the population there she responded, “some say too many- but they said that when I came here.” The walls also spoke loudly in the ladies room. As we pinned our dollars on the wall & closed our tab-she told us a back road to take out.

the spit:

We detoured, to enjoyed the beauty of the skyline view of the Spit. Homer’s nickname is “the end of the road,”because it is the southernmost town on the Alaskan highway system. What is the Homer Spit? It is 4.5 miles of land protruding out into Kachemak Bay and tops the list of things to do in Homer Alaska. On the Homer Spit, the mountains of the Kenai chain stand at attention before you and the waters of the bay surround you.

Two Sisters Bakery

Our last stop in Homer, AK was to the Two Sisters Bakery. I had a great chai latte enjoyed a view that was the a great Nicholas Spark Waiting to happen. Highly recommend the white trash bread- grab extra for the road out.