August 1
Driving to Homer, AK was another beautiful drive. Mountains, fireweed, lakes, rivers, waterfalls and a treat of seeing an eagle fly in front and over our motorhome. The Kenai River (and its salmon) is the waterfront town of Homer. This area is south of Anchorage along the Kenai River.
Once settled in, we rode our bikes on a bike trail along the "Spit" to Salty Dawg to meet Katy & Mike. Completing the day by walking around, enjoying some of the shops, and riding back to Heritage RV Park.
Salty Dawg: The bar is known for the thousands of dollar bills signed by visitors and tacked on the walls. This practice started many years ago, when a visitor tacked a dollar on the wall, explaining that his friend would be by later.... There are so many dollar bills pinned up, they could use it for collateral for a loan.
August 2
Started the day meeting Katy, Mike, Jody & John at the Alaska Maritime National Refuge Visitor Center for a stroll down to Two Sister's Bakery. Delicious, fresh and homey. After we dropped our pastries that weren't eaten to the car we hiked back down and continued to Bishop's Beach for a lovely 2 1/2 hour walk.
I enjoyed a 16 oz cup of Black Bean Soup and part of a Ham & Cheese Danish along with a bite of a delicious rhubarb scone.
Fun Fact:
The bakery started in 1993 in a former art studio. Two Sisters Bakery has grown over the years to fill a beautiful house with a wrap around porch, right up the street from Tuggeght - Bishop Beach - in Homer's historic Old Town. Landscaped with glaciers and volcanoes surrounding their community.
After our delightful stroll on the beach, Douglas and I headed to Johnny's Corner for a delicious late lunch. We chose the Adak: hazelnut-crusted halibut topped with mango relish and complemented by honey red curry. Johnny who was taking orders and cooking (his helper was out sick) kindly split the meal for us, ensuring we each had a generous portion. It was a feast!
Fun Facts:
Johnny grew up in Homer and spent his early years in commercial fishing. He went to New Zealand and apprenticed with a chef, working on his cooking skills and passion for food. Johnny returned to Homer and opened up Johnny's Corner, where he delights his community by cooking fish he once caught!
Douglas and I walked down to Jody and John's rig and met up with Katy and Mike for a wonderful evening. We enjoyed the fire, sitting by the water, sharing great conversations. And being silly!
Before we left for Saturday's Farmer's Market, we adorned the back of our motorhome with Alaska stickers we accumulated. The farmer's market was fantastic! Beautiful, fresh looking produce, jewelry, and the delectable Udder Delights hand crafted dairy & coconut ice cream made in small batches. We treated ourselves to a coconut dark chocolate orange and dairy mint chocolate chip.
One couple was selling unique breakfast sandwiches with pancake batter as the bread, very unique. Strolling along with Katy and Mike was a blast. Katy bought a Fireweed Rose tea and I opted for a Ginger Mint tea, both were refreshing and tasty. A remarkable 91 years old gentleman crafted beautiful ornaments/window crystal catchers. He proudly shared that he doesn't need glasses!
Back to the motorhome for lunch and a rest. Later that afternoon we took a drive to Carl El Wynn Nature Center for a lovely hike in the woods. Notice the picture with a pile of "liter" from pine cones. This is from the Red Squirrel.
Fun Fact:
The Red Squirrel - subsisting on the tiny seeds found in pine cones, the squirrels occupy an important niche in the spruce forest. They are highly territorial and will defend their feeding grounds with fervor. A high perch allows them to keep a watchful eye on their site while they extract seeds from the bracts of a cone one at a time. Eventually, the litter from their cones will form a massive mound called a median, exacted with tunnels and passageways to safety.
Taking a pause to soak in the breathtaking view of the glaciers, mountains and Katchemak Bay was a treat. Before returning to our motorhome, we stopped at the beach to watch windsurfers dance on the waves. That was delightful!
Douglas took off to the fishing pond that feeds from the Kachemak Bay while I had some "alone" time doing QiGong and tiding up a bit before I joined him. Lots of salmon although no fish for us......
Later did I find out the technique they use is called "flossing". They use a fly rod with 15 feet of leader and a dry hook. The salmon circle this pond/fishing hole in groups of 100 or more. The idea is to throw your line out across them, let the line sink and as they swim by the line is caught in their mouth and it flosses til the hook lands in their mouth, then you land them and drag them on shore. They are beautiful fish 6-10 lbs. They would jump completely out of the water at times.
After lunch we met Katy and Mike at the Pratt Museum. I was enthralled with the Marjories Scholl Inner Stellar Exhibit. https://www.marjoriescholl.org/ The exhibit end September 20, 2024.
Fun Facts:
Inner Stellar is a series of painted portraits that honors the experience of reacquainting with ones "inner child". Artist Marjories School has painted people in her community and co-created a story-like text to accompany each piece.
Each portrait illustrates someone in the bright essence holding the weight of their unique ancestry - hardships, healing and all with an authentically determine outlook.
The figure's posture and gaze convey their true history and committed future and suggests the intergenerational whisperings that lead to insight and strength. Each paining is set in a forest of birch trees, using light and shadow to allude to the adversities and resilience, as well as the loneliness and triumph, that comes from developing the whole self. Each subject has actively participated in the creation of their portrait and the related personal anecdotes.
As part of the series, Scholl includes a self portrait to share her own journey that continues to reckon with generational trauma child reconnecting the her inner child.
We completed our day with a lovely hike outside the museum. Lots of Elderberries, mushrooms and lush greenery.
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