Winter Experience - Ice on the Homer Spit

Slabs of Ice on the East of Side of the Homer Spit

Every winter, when the temperatures drop below 20 degrees for more than a couple of days, ice starts to form on and around the Spit.  The ice makes a fascinating

Experience - Homer Farmer's Market

Alaskan Grown Veggies

Dahlias and Bells of Ireland

Don’t miss the Homer Farmer’s Market!  You can find everything from fresh produce and fabulous flowers to

Experience - Flowers of Alaska

Fields of Fireweed

As we wander into the Alaskan wilderness (or even just around our back yard) we see flowers everywhere.  Many are small and hard to spot.  This post is a collection of photos of the wildflowers we have found

Adventure - Grandview Tour on the Alaska Railroad.

Glacier View from the Grandview Tour

Stats

Difficulty: Easy                                                                                                   Time:  Half-day

Summary

Carol's parents visited us in Alaska in June.  Her father can't really walk much anymore so we went looking for cool activities that don't require much walking.  Not surprisingly, there aren't that many in Alaska, but we found a winner in the Grandview Tour on the Alaska Railroad.  The Grandview Tour is pure sightseeing into area of Alaska that cannot be reached in any way other than by train.

Opinion

This is a fun trip, even for those who have no trouble

Hiking - Watermelon Trail (the 1.5 hr version)

Seeping vistas from Watermelon Trail

Stats

Distance:  14.3 miles (one way)                       Difficulty: Easy-Moderate

Summary

Watermelon trail was recommended to us by some friends.  So on a beautiful day in early July we decided to try out the trail.  Watermelon trail is really an ATV trail (which is why it's so long), but we were the only ones on the trail the day we hiked it.

Opinion

This trail has some great views.  This hike will probably be amazing

Adventure - Sightseeing on the 26 Glacier Cruise

Blackstone Glacier

Stats

Difficulty: Easy                                                                                               Time:  5+ hours

Summary

If you want a day packed with glaciers, wildlife, and flat seas, Phillips Cruises 26 Glacier Cruise out of Whittier on the M/V Klondike Express is right up your alley.  The cruise includes the 26 glaciers including a nice close-up view of 2 of them; a good chance (but no guarantee) of seals, sea lions, otters, dolphins, and whales; and a kittiwake nesting area.

Opinion

This trip is good for tourists or locals, photographers, sightseers, kids and adults.  Over the course of the five-hour, we took over 3,000 pictures!  We were actually beginning to worry about maxing out our 64 GB camera memory cards.  The company does a good job of 

Adventure - Tutka Bay Cooking Class

Tutka Bay Lodge

Stats

Difficulty: Easy                                                                                                   Time:  Half-day

Summary

There is no shortage of activities available on the Kenai Peninsula.  One of the more unexpected is a cooking lesson at the Tutka Bay Cooking School.  This half-day trip starts with a ride from the Homer docks (unless you are already staying at the Tutka Bay Lodge).  For there you take a water taxi to Tutka Bay Lodge where you are met and escorted to the long house where the cooking lessons are taught.

Opinion

This was a blast.  Not only do you learn to cook a dish on the style for the weekend (Italian, French, Alaskan), you get a full multi-course meal and the all the recipes for the meal.  Not only that,