Hiking - Eveline State Recreation Site outside Homer

Portlock and Dixon Glaciers from the Bottom of Alpine Meadows Loop

Stats 

Distance:  1.4 miles                   Difficulty: Easy                                 Time:  50 min

Summary

On 15 Aug 2013 we got a break in the much overdue rain and headed to the Eveline State Recreation Site.  Eveline has trails that are used in both summer and winter.  The summer trails are two loops: Glacier View Loop and Alpine Meadows Loop.  Both trails are inland meadows with excellent views of the Portlock and Dixon Glaciers.  In the winter the trails are tagged for cross-country skiing and snow shoeing; the views might be even better then as the air tends to be more clear in the winter.  The Alaska Department of Resources web site for the recreation area is Eveline State Recreation Site.  Other blogs have trip reports on this site that can be found with an internet search on Eveline State Recreation Site.

Opinion

This is a very nice hike.  We like it a bit better than the lower Homestead Trail; it’s better maintained (less boggy) and has slightly better views although both trails have masses of wonderful wildflower

Experience - Walking Among Lupines

Lupine on Kachemak Bay

Stats

When: June - July                                                                                            Where: All over Alaska

Summary

The Lupine bloom is the first of the big flower blooms in Alaska; although there are other wildflower that bloom before they don't grow in such huge clusters.  Like most flora displays the timing and quality vary from year to year. 

Opinion

While not a spectacular as the Fireweed bloom the Lupine season is quite dramatic and well worth seeing.

Experience - Walking Among Fireweed

Early Fireweed Bloom on Homestead Trail

Stats

When: Late July - August                                                 Where: Meadows all over Alaska

Summary

The Fireweed bloom is an annual phenomenon in Alaska.  It is usually viewed as the end of summer.  Like most flora displays the timing and quality vary from year to year. 

Opinion

This is a must see experience!

Adventure - 4-Wheeling with Alaska Wilderness 4-Wheeler Tours - Riding On the Beach at Homer

Sea and Sky on the Beach

Stats

Difficulty: Easy                                                                                       Time:  Half-Day +

Summary

Dan Eidem runs Alaska Wilderness 4-Wheeler Tours, an tour on ATVs, for small to medium groups.  He usually tours the Homer backcountry, but when we joined him on 26 May 2013, the backcountry was still deep in snow and mud.  So he took us to his alternate site, the beach starting at Bishop’s Beach.

Opinion

This trip was a blast!  We were hoping to see

Information - Post Template Update

A couple of friends pointed out Google Map and Earth was choking their computers when they tried to load this blog.  In response, we moved the maps to under the cut line.  So instead of trying to load every map in the blog you'll only get the one set that you're interested in.

If you like something or don't, please let us know, so we can improve the usefulness of our blog!

Hiking - Walking The Spit Starting at Mariner’s Park

Stats

Distance:  Up to you                       Difficulty: Easy                              Time:  Up to you

Summary

The Spit is a Homer landmark.  It is exactly what its name says, a spit of land reaching into Kachemak Bay.  The spit is best know for the fishing charters, shopping, and fish packing, but is also a popular place for beach strolls and clamming.  We took a hike on the west side of the Spit starting at Mariner’s Park on 9 Jul 2013.

Opinion

This is one of our favorite hikes when we are in the mood for an easy stroll on the beach.  The common sites include Bald Eagles, gulls of several varieties,

About the Authors

We, Chris and Carol, retired from the Air Force in 2012 and moved to Homer, Alaska to start a second career as photographers.  While searching the local area for hikes, kayaking sites, and other activities, we were disappointed by random nature of the descriptions we could find on-line.

Chris suggested we start a blog to cover every activity we do as we discover them.  Carol agreed and this blog was formed.  As we explore the activities across Alaska we will continue to add them to this blog, so check back regularly.

We will not be stopping for the winter either.  We have discovered there are many interesting winter activities as well.  Alaska is gorgeous at any time of the year; there is no reason to limit your visit or your outdoor activities just because it isn’t summer.

This blog is based solely on our own experiences on these trips.  We do not get paid to do these reviews and we are not an advertising agency.

As a side note: if you are interested you can find the best of the photos we’ve taken on these trips at http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/latitude-59.html?tab=artwork, or, if you happen to be in Homer, AK, you can see them on the wall at the Ptarmigan Co-op Art Gallery.