7-24-2014 Homer, Halibut Cove and Gull Island

7-24-2014 Homer, Halibut Cove and Gull Island
AM

Somewhat of an overcast today with a cool breeze blowing in off the mountains, but only no/little humidity. A warm sweater makes you comfortable.

Happy Birthday to my Honey. Today she is &^% years old and looking good. I am taking her on a cruise for her birthday and later we will drive back to Kenai to listen to Don and JD.

PM

The cruise was to Gull Island to observe the birds that nest there and then on to Haddock Cove. The “cruise boat” was a WWII era boat built by the Army and left there afterwards. Being wood, it is heavy and stable. Not what you would call a cruise boat but doable. It had a capacity of 28 and it was full. Unfortunately, the little cabin could only accommodate 6, so if the weather turned into rain, most would left outside to contend with it. Fortunately, rain here is not much more than a drizzle. We haven’t experienced anything considered heavy yet. Certainly not like Virginia and Alabama.

Gull Island is nothing more than a rock, actually 3 rocks. Thousands and maybe even more of several species nest here. Ernes, Puffins, Grebes, and mews just to name a few. This is the island that has the video connection with the wildlife center I mentioned yesterday.  Some of these birds never land except on this rock to nest.  As far as is known, the rest of their life is spent at sea. 

Halibut Cove is a small, scenic island about 15 miles across Kachemak Bay, from Homer, in the Kachemak Bay State Park. Only took us around 40 minutes to get there plus the 20-30 minutes spent at gull Island.. The area used to be a Herring fishing, gathering and processing Center until the processing company polluted the water so bad the herring left (typical of people--reap the rewards of an area until you ruin it) and then the people left. Most of the homes/buildings were torn down to start building Homer. There are no automobiles on the island. To visit each other they either go by boat or four wheeler.

It is now home to around 40-50 people, most of which are summer residents. It is a wonderful tourist visiting area and sees about 100 or so per day. Electricity is supplied by underwater cable from Homer. There are a few businesses there, i.e. flying and boat tour companies, a lawyer’s office, a small arts museum with local artist paintings and artifacts for sale, a restaurant   and a floating Post Office. Of course, the one we most enjoyed was the restaurant. There were also six horses on the island and we petted (rubbed) and Nita fed them some clover.

This little girl picked up this bird when it fell out of a nest, took care of it and now it's her pet

The Saltry Restaurant  was built in Homer and was brought to the island by barge. At high tide they backed it into its place and when the tide receded they removed the barge and then installed pilings under the building to brace it in position. As a result, it is catawampus (this is on the back of the menu). The restaurant is another Gourmet treat.  We ordered six oysters that were raised in the Cove’s inlet. As I understand, it takes 7-8 years for them to develop due to the cold waters. I compared them to the Chesapeake Bay Oyster of 50 years ago, small and just a little salty taste. We then had a huge Salmon Salad Sandwich with a bowl of delicious fresh Fish Chowder. tthanks jeremy for the excellent service. See you again someday.

Our waiter ,Jeremy Hansen from Salt Lake, UT. Lived in Virginia beach for awhile. He is an English Instructor at the University of Utah. Working here for the Summer

Kachemak Bay Oysters

 Chocolate Cheese Cake--whats left

We met Laurie and Matt on the cruise going over. Matt and I quickly revealed all the woes of the world, solved them and restrained ourselves from talking more politics. They were on their way to Whittier, so we gave them a few pointers about which cruise to take for the glaciers and about the tunnel schedule. Perhaps we will meet again someday/somewhere. It’s always nice to meet new people

Laurie & Matt

Lingcod --50-60 lb

Halibut   30-40 lbs

After returning to Homer Spit, we departed for Kenai and Don and JD’s  music. Took us a couple hours to get there-it’s as it’s 90 miles of two lane road. It rained all the way--per normal. We have good weather most of the time but when we travel it rains.

Nita here. Don and Jerry were playing at the “Main Street Tap and Grill” to a large dinner crowd who were enjoying to their music. Again, they played a variety of “oldies--50--60 ties”. Don sang my special request, “Jeremiah was a Bullfrog” followed by “Home Sweet Alabama” for my birthday.   He did announce to the crowd that I was a BIG Auburn fan, and I said "No no, ROLL TIDE ROLL".

We were able to talk with JD during their break. He teaches music and performs with his band at gigs. He has had the band for several years.

While Don was singing to Nita, an Anchorage resident, Nancy Flynn,  bought Nita a drink and came over to our table and  struck up quite a conversation about Alabama, Alaska and Australia. Laughing and joking we had a ball.  We meet the best people on our travels.

On Friday, Don came by the Boomer Bus and brought us some salmon he had canned and some smoked we could eat after thawing out. We learned that he is a retired teacher and is now a substitute teacher. He taught Physical Education. He at one time taught school in Seldovia, a small town/village on the Southeastern side of the Kachemak Bay, across from Homer.  He said it was too isolated for him.  I can understand that, so many of the small villages in Alaska are accessible only by boat or airplane and a blizzard can keep you there for months at a time.