PALMER, SOLDOTNA, AND HOMER

We arrived in Palmer and stayed at the Town and Country RV Park. From there we took a drive up to Hatcher Pass and Independence Mine. It was quite a view across the valley from the mine. We saw lots of wild flowers along the mountain stream.    It is amazing how they got material up the mountain to build some of the buildings.

 

This little house is way up on the side of the mountain.  I wonder how they got all the material up there?

 

The flowers in the last 2 pictures are around the visitors center in Anchorage.

 

From Palmer we moved on down the road to Soldotna, AK.  Here we stayed at the Best Western  Motel and RV Park.  Found a couple of Farmers Markets, not as much choice of veggies here.  Took a drive to Capt Cook State Park, it is located at the end of the road.  Here we walked on the beach and picked up pretty rocks.  The tide was out and the beach was rocky for hundreds of feet.  We are still seeing wild life.  A moose cow and calf ran across the road in front of us and the next day 2 caribou ran  across in front of us.  Wayne had good brakes or we would of had caribou steaks.

    The Kenai museum was a interesting place to spend a few hours.

   

It is the time of year that dip netting is allowed for Alaska residents only.  They can use a net that is 5 feet in diameter with a 10 foot handle.  They then stand in the water where the salmon are going up stream.  The head  of the household can catch 25 fish and 10 for each other member of the family.  It is a party like atmosphere. Lots of people were lined up along the river hoping to catch their salmon.

We took a drive down to Homer, AK to check on halibut charters.  After checking out the charters  we decided to move down to the Homer Spit.  We are parked in a small park right on the beach.  I can throw a rock and hit the water.  The views are great from here.  The water is crystal clear, across the water the mountains rise up with huge glaciers on them.  It is really hard to describe.  I have walked on many beaches around the world but I don’t believed there is one that is as awe inspiring as here.

 

   

These pictures taken from our campground and the beach in front of it. The mountains are across the Kachemak Bay.

 

 

 

 

Wayne and I took a afternoon halibut charter.  We were successful.  We each caught our 2 fish. None were large, in the 20-30 pound range.  I was glad I didn’t catch anything larger. It was work cranking them up 160 feet  from the bottom.  We each caught several but could only keep 2.

The following are pictures of our fishing trip and our little campground and beach.  The little dog turned his back to me after I took his picture.  I guess he is camera shy.

                          

To be continued.