Homer - the Halibut Fishing Capital of Alaska

 Homer is at the “End of the Road.” It’s 225 miles south of Anchorage on the Sterling Highway and on the shores of Kachemak Bay.  It is surrounded by glaciers and mountains and is used as a base for fishing, kayaking, bear viewing, and hiking by Alaskans and visitors. 

Homer was named for Homer Pennock, a gold miner who established the first development on the Homer Spit in 1896.  It is a thriving community of approximately 5,400 residents.  Across the Kachemak Bay, the rugged Kenai Mountains surround Homer and the bay.  Soaring snow capped peaks overlook massive glaciers.  Along the coastline, the steep mountain valleys form narrow fjords.  (A fjord is a long, narrow inlet with steep sides or cliffs, created by glacial erosion.)  Homer is one of the few places in the world, where several glaciers and active volcanoes can be viewed at once.

Find the sea gull in the picture?

Homer has the distinction of having the second longest “Spit” in the world.  The Spit is a natural geological phenomenon formed from an accumulation of rock and soil from previous glaciers. Homer’s Spit juts 5 miles out into the bay. 

The Homer Port and harbor is where vessels of all shapes, sizes, and uses can be seen.  The “Time Bandit,” made famous on the TV show, “The Deadliest Catch, “calls this harbor home and can be seen whenever it is in port. 

This is the fishing boat for the chartered fishing trip.  She is called "Sandy."

The guys enjoying their catch

Buck and some of the guys and gals signed up for a chartered halibut fishing trip.  The limit was two halibut each.   He enjoyed the trip and did not get sea sick.  We had the halibut fileted and sent home in a freeze-packed shipping box.  It was delivered to our address on Tuesday, 4 days after the catch. When we return home, our family will have a great halibut meal together.

Our campground was on the beach at Homer.  An eagle family nested nearby.  Buck shot a picture of the eagle guarding the nest. 

We enjoyed an evening meal in downtown Homer with caravan friends.  Also, a caravan get-together for an Italian dinner was held at the group canopy at the campground. Everyone enjoyed the fellowship.

After three nights at Homer, we’re set to leave for Seward, another seaport town.