The Boomer Bus: Post 7-23-2014 Homer, Pratt Museum and Mermaid Cafe

Post 7-23-2014 Homer, Pratt Museum and Mermaid Café

After a full night’s sleep (10 hours) we had coffee and bagel as well as my daily banana. We decided to start our day with a visit to the Pratt Museum. Took Boomer along since he just loves being with us even though he may have to wait in the truck. He’s used to it.

The museum was about what I expected. It was more of a heritage center than a museum and it was a “hands on” place for the children. That’s great for them and I fully support parents taking their children to these type places so they can learn about their heritage and their environment. However, it is a bit rough on us “old folks” with all the screaming and yelling, it sounded like a playground. BUT, we got through it. Had to remember the wonderful times I had with my grandchildren. They were always excited to go with Grampa.

There were plenty of marine exhibits and the Athabascan Indian heritage and habitats. Can’t remember the particular tribe of Indians as there are so many of them and each tribe has many different dialects. We really did enjoy the marine exhibits and there was a live camera feed from Gull Island, 8 miles away, that was showing us what the bird life was doing there. Interesting. Nita was able to finger point (touch screen) and move the camera around. One bird was trying to build a nest even though it was a species that doesn’t normally build one. They just lay their ovate shaped eggs on a rock. The ovate shape is larger on one end than the other and that helps it remain on the rock. It rolls in a circle when it moves. Isn’t Mother Nature wonderful?

The Founders

Early Miners Cart

Spiny Urchin--ouch!

Sea Otters

Rain Jacket made from Seal Stomach

Indian Artist Creation

Puffin can actually fly nderwater

made from glacier silt

Krill-Bayleen Whale

Who are you?

Athabascan Created Quilt Top

Lynx

Another Athabascan Creation

In front of the bus

Season dial

Elk Skin Boots

Time for lunch, so we headed to the Mermaid Café for a taste of their “Cajun” Sausage. OH, WOW, did we hit pay dirt. The owners, Jeff and Kelly Lockwood are a rather young couple who aspire to serve mostly gourmet foods with a Creole twist and specialize in Cajun sausages along with other simply delicious Charcuteries’. Jeff is from Lafayette, Louisiana and Kelly is from Maine. They have been in Homer for several years in the fishing industry and this is their first year in the cafe business and things look good for them. Just keep serving those delicious and mouth watering Cajun Sausages and the "out of this world" salmon. Can't wait to come back one day and get more of it. Homer is a beautiful city. I like it here and transfer to the rotary club and the Masons

The furnishing is quaint in that it has a backwoods table and chairs décor and the café appears to have been built as part of the original home. The exterior of the building is a bit rustic. The café shares the building with a book store. We had “Charcuterie” which consisted of sugar cured salmon served with farmers cheese, mustard, mostarda (candied nuts with mustard flavor), pickles and crackers. Our second choice was “Sausage Flight” which consisted of four flavors of fresh pork sausage: chaurice, garlic, juniper and fennel-orange served with Dijon and Creole mustard. Talk about mouthwatering, we thought we were in New Orleans. It was utterly delicious.

Our waitress, Erin, was from New York and simply loves it here in Homer. She’s excited to be the café’s first waitress and really enjoys meeting new people and making new friends. She wanted us to meet the owners, which we did, and she was at our table every chance she had. What wonderful service and friendly “folks”. We wish Jeff and Kelly all the success in the world and for you Erin, we wish you the same. With your demeanor you’ll make it. Just don't ever give up.