Homer Spit and tours in the area.

July 2, 2014. Today was a full day of activities in Homer.

After breakfast we walked down the spit and visited a few shops. At an Alaskan Native Craft shop I found some fossilized nautilus earrings that were just right. We scouted out the local fish market and restaurants. We may get to take some fish with us when we leave. The best value we found was in a Double-Decker Red remodeled British Bus selling Fish and Chips! It was called the Big Dipper Chipper. We had the fried halibut and fries for $16 and smoked salmon chowder for $5. We split an order of each and were stuffed. It was delicious as well.

Next we had free tickets for a harbor dock creature tour at the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies. We spent an hour on the docks (sometimes lying on our stomachs peering over the bottom of the docksides into the water) viewing starfish, jelly fish, anemones, barnacles, mussels and much more active sea life in the harbor. We learned how starfish eat barnacles. A most interesting hour spent! After paying for another night and marking our spot at the campground we headed through town to the overlook where we first saw Homer. I took lots of pictures and we both enjoyed watching the eagles soar. Also, in the ocean below the overlook we could see some otters and possibly seals. They were out quite a distance! We stopped at the local farmer's market, stocking up on fresh veggies.

Then we drove up West Hill Rd, to Skyline Drive. This brought us to the highest point on the Northwest side of town. What views! This road was more spectacular than the turn out off the Sterling Highway. We stopped 3 or 4 times for pictures and just plain gawking.

From Skyline drive we dropped down East Hill Rd, to East End Road. This brought us to Bear Creek Winery and Lodge. This was a very wonderful stop. They make many kinds of fruit wines. Some are blends of red or white wine grapes with other fruits. Most of their wines were very good. We both did the eight wine sampler. Both of us favored their 10th anniversary wine. It was called Glacier Rose' and was made from 100% Rhubarb. They had another wine I liked that was made from 100% Raspberries. Their Kiwi/Pear blend was my 3rd choice. We bought only 1 bottle as it should be used fresh! Upon leaving I was checking out their extensive gardens and was told by the owner from her upper balcony to feel free to wander about. It was quite a work in progress and I took lots of pictures.

They even had tall Blue Himalayan Poppies! Our next stop was supposed to be our campsite. We decided to verify the location of and hours of operation of the Two Sisters Bakery for breakfast tomorrow and the Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitors Center for tomorrow. And the Homer Brewery. Of course when we got there, one thing led to another. There was a local Oyster vendor on the premises. Fresh oysters $12.50/dozen were too hard to resist and Bob ordered a 5 beer sampler. Another fine ending to an activity filled day.