Quick trip to Homer

Friday July 6th

Drove to Homer with the goal of doing a few days of Woofing. Initially I had thought of that, so I had something to do while the others went Halibut fishing. Duane was pretty keen to join them, so I made alternative plans. The halibut fishing turned out to be $230 for a day, just for Duane, so he decided to join me.

In retrospect the others (now named Kiwi-hookers) did not think too much of this fishing experience. Debbie said it's almost like commercial fishing, where it seems very crucial to reach your quota and that with a whole lot of boats all lined up for the ultimate fishing spot. Not so much a sport and not very relaxing at all they claimed.

In Homer we were meeting a lady that I had arranged to see, through ringing some places listed in the Woof-book. She was a great lady, very fascinating, who was born in Homer and lived there her whole life. She worked long hours so her garden, quit amazing, was needing some attention. That would be the job to do. Duane and I walked through the garden with her while she talked and then had some watermelon in her kitchen. Her little house was like a museum of thrift shop items and nicknack's. Not a piece of wall was visible! My family's nightmare.

I had loads of fun chatting to her but I think Duane was getting bored. When we left we didn't really make any arrangements to work for her and would keep in touch. Obviously Duane told me straight away that staying there would send him up the wall, so that was out, for him.

We searched the Sandspit for some hot chips/fries without luck. Saw some stickers saying: 'Homer, a quaint little drinking town with a fishing problem'. I think that's true because it simply wasn't possible to order chips without fish!

Across from the Sandspit lies the Kachemak Bay Wilderness Park to which one either catches a watertaxi or a plane. We ran around from one company to another in an attempt to arrange a 2 night trip. We booked a watertaxi in, with 2 kayaks, then we'd kayak through a lagoon to our camping spot, next day kayak back to drop off point, leave kayaks to be picked up, hike to another spot, stay overnight and hike back to the watertaxi the day after. So we did.

The kayaking was real nice, saw some seals popping their heads out of the water, stearing at us, and caught the tide in to our campingspot. Apart from the Mozzies it was a real nice night. Wine, campfire and the first time in our tent on a wooden platform.

Note: very difficult securing a tent on a wooden platform!

Sunday 8th, after tying the kayaks off high on the VERY tidal beach ( I wasn't going to and that would have meant my kayak floating away with the incoming tide, thanks Muz) we set off to pay the Grewingk Glacier & lake a visit. This place was stunning so we just stayed. Icebergs floating in the water and an ultimate selection of firewood. We even spotted a black bear munching on a grassy meadow. Some crazy people in drysuits waded into the water and started playing around on an iceberg, which later that night fully collapsed making a lot of noise. Imagine being on it then.

Monday 9th, We made it back to the watertaxi early after a quick explore to a handtrolley above a raging river of glacial water. Hard work that is, pulling yourself across by pulling on the rope. We drove back to Kenai for 1 last night in the condo with our friends.