Back-Tracking!

We weren't quite ready to leave the area so we did some considerable back-tracking! On July 6th we headed back to Homer and I just missed the meeting at the local Kingdom Hall. So we drove to Bishop's Beach and went for a long walk along the shore. It was low tide so we could walk out onto the sandy sections that were now exposed. Fascinating rocks were exposed and just a few sun bleached clam shell wedged between. After eating a light lunch at the small park next to the Estuary we headed east out of town. About 14 miles or so from downtown Homer we took a left to Evelines' Trailhead. A local resident had donated 80 acres of prime mountainside meadow land in memory of his wife. It is for non-motorized use. Hiking and Cross Country Skiing. It is especially known for it's variety of wildflowers. Right up my alley! It also had views of two of the glaciers across the bay. Our intention was to spend the night in the parking lot although there was a sign up saying no tent camping. There were only a couple of houses past it in any case we would have no negative impact on the roadside lot. A group of 8 "Rotarians" came up and asked if I would take their picture. As I was doing so another couple was walking up the roadside with a 3-legged black lab. "Rocky" was actually their neighbors and the couple (Peggy and Tom) were quite friendly. Peggy asked if anyone would like some rhubarb as Bob and Tom started a conversation away from the group. One thing led to another and the 4 of us walked to their place to pick some rhubarb. They actually live in Washington State. Peggy is a native Alaskan from Juneau. They are in Alaska house sitting. We received a grand tour. The house had a wonderful layout including an impressive great room with a wall of glass. The stunning views across Kachemak Bay displaying the glaciers and surrounding mountains were breathtaking. We ended up having dinner and drinks with these wonderful people. We sat there until 11:30pm when Bob suggested it was time for us to turn in for the night, and Peggy gave us a ride back to our camper. Bob and I agreed that we had never met anyone as hospitable, friendly and easy going to two strangers as these fine folks.

This is "Alaska Cotton" on the roadside. The next morning was drizzling and we decided to head right out. We started back down the road to Homer, enjoying the beauty of the bay and mountains. We came by a combination gas station/convenience store/bakery/contract post office. Bob needed a little gas to make it all the way back to Soldotna and the Fred Meyer discount. Also coffee and a fresh baked goodie sounded like an O.K. breakfast. They had the oven heating up the place and it was damp outside so it sure felt cozy sitting in their rustic chairs at small tables reading the local newspaper. (though we would have preferred the pastries at 2 Sisters!) Then we headed up the road at our slow pace. We stopped at Norman Lowell's Gallery again for another look and the opportunity to take photos. (top photo is one of his beautiful paintings)

Then back through Anchor Point and found that elusive 2nd sign of the Westernmost Highway, located at the USFS campsites right at the end of the road! (there are 4 campgrounds along this short road and they were all full on the Fourth of July) We stopped at one of our favorite campground sites on the bluff overlooking the old town of Ninilchik. The fishing fleet was in and we took the 105 steps back down the bluff to check out the boats. There were 56 boats sitting on the muddy river bottom waiting for a rising tide and another week out on the waters plying their fishing trade.