Soldotna/Kenai, Alaska

We are wrapping up our visit to the Kenai Peninsula and tomorrow we

will be heading north, past Anchorage for our Monday morning

date with Denali.

Our visit to Homer was quite enjoyable.

We visited the Homer Spit - a narrow 4 mile long glacial moraine that juts

out into Kachemak Bay. 

The spit is an eclectic mix of RV parking, retail shops, fish processing

facilities, docks, and restaurants.  With the road running right down the center.

Eclectic is Homer.

I'd kind of describe the town of Homer as Artsy meets Fishing Fleet.

We had lunch at a great little sandwich deli on a side street.

It was right next to the Bunnell St Arts Center, a non-profit arts incubator.

There was an arch made out of fishing buoys, boat fenders etc.

I instantly thought of Kristi and how much she would love to have this collection.

We did find another ships mooring ball if you need another...

I got into the Artsy creative mode myself and thought of trying out

for the Homer Fife, Drum, and Baguette Corps.

We really enjoyed our stay at Baycrest RV Park.

Situated high on the bluff above the bay we loved the million dollar view.

Each nite, far below, we would see the fishing fleet returning to port.

At one point I counted 35 boats heading to port.

No doubt they were loaded with fresh caught Halibut.

The late night sun painted the distant peaks with an orange hue.

A great way to end the day.

Yesterday we moved about 70 miles north to Soldotna.

Rather than try to go further north on the Kenai, since it was the weekend and

the King Salmon are running we thought it prudent to find a place to spend the weekend.

Our campsite is under the departure of the Airport and we've enjoyed watching this

DC3 taking off.   The DC3 has been around since the 1930's.  During WWII it was

known as a C47 and was instrumental in helping us win the war.

Here in Alaska the collection of planes found at the local airport is incredible.

Small aircraft play a huge role here in the North where roads are scarce and distance vast.

I will need to do a future blog post on the aircraft.

Today we visited the Holy Assumpton of the Virgin Mary Church.

It is a Russian Orthodox Church and together with it's Chapel and Rectory,

are among the oldest buildings on the Kenai Peninsula.

The church is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Kate managed to find this little old lady using a walker, who had the key

to the church and gave us a personal guided tour.

She told us of the efforts to preserve the church and of the early days of the town.

We also received a quick primer on some of the aspects of the faith.

Below is the Church Chapel.  Below which is the grave of the first priest and original

builder of the church.

Just 1/2 a block from the church is the Cook Inlet.

Finally back in town it was time to try out my latest find.

The best Apple Fritters in the Universe they say...

The Cinnamon buns are divine...

We left with an arm load of goods and so far I'm happy to report that

its not hype - its fact. 

The Moose knows its stuff!

I have to keep reminding you that all of our experiences here are in the context

of these endless days.   

We have not seen darkness for over a month now.

Does the moon still exist?

Are the stars still up there?

The plants here have not seen darkness for longer than that.

They grow fast and large.

Today in Safeway a section of the front windows had blackout shades on them.

When I came around a corner all I could see was the dark windows and for a moment

I lost track of time and thought that I was looking out to a dark parking lot.

It was the oddest sensation...   you call it night.

It would be so strange right now to get on a plane and land somewhere in darkness.   

It's funny how quickly the familiar becomes the foreign.

We are headed to Denali now.

I know that at one point we will be out of touch for at least 3 days with no

phone or internet.  Perhaps longer.

It will be nice to get back out in the wilderness.

We are in a town of perhaps 4,000 people and it seems so large.

It was nice to drive down a road and not see a car pass for 10 minutes or longer.

The Kenai seems so populated after all of that.

Kate and I both miss the solitude.

The Yukon is calling.