Great spot for a few days

July 9, 2009
Homer Spit, Homer, AK

We moved to the Spit this morning, and parked in one of the city-run "camgrounds". We use that term loosely because it's pretty rustic and the concept of "campground site" is open to a degree of interpretation. The section we're in is called "beachfront"; there aren't numbered, assigned spaces. You just pack in as close (or as far apart!) as you can. We've got a great spot looking out at Kachemak Bay, parked right near the water. Well, at least we're near the water at high tide. Low tide? not so much., as we're in an area where the mud flats extend out several hundred feet. No matter for us; we're just enjoying the view. We decided to stay here for three nights.

After getting settled in from the long drive (Elks to Spit: 6 miles), we headed out for a little tourist action. Well, we really headed out in search of lunch. Truth be told, Geri and I were on a mission to find local oysters, which we'd read about on the way down the Kenai. Bob thought we might be able to get lunch at the Salty Dog Saloon, but it turned out to be just a dive bar. The inside was dark and smoky, and the walls and ceilings were covered with tourists' dollar bills. Apparently, it's "the thing to do" to ruin a perfectly good dollar with a witty or raunchy (or, if you're clever, both) saying using a magic marker and then staple it to the building. I asked Bob if he brought any Monopoly Money; no way were we leaving legal tender. I was ready to have a beer but everyone else wanted food (apparently, hops and barley don't count), so we kept moving. We ended up at "Captain Patties" for lunch, starting with the oysters on the half shell. I had a halibut taco (good) and Geri had the rockfish special (battered and deep-fried - excellent), while Marlene had the seafood sampler (also very good). With a Moose Drool beer (good but not "authentic local" since it's imported from Montana).

Once fed, we decided to do some touring. Bob took us up into town and out East End Road along/above the Bay. With one moose sighting and a stop at the local winery, it was a great way to spend an afternoon. Click here for pictures.

We ended the day with a beautiful sunset around 11:00 PM. It's amazing how the days are already getting shorter, although still a little weird to be saying that close to midnight.