Anchorage to Homer

After as good nights sleep, I was the first one up this morning, so I made my way downstairs and brewed a cup of coffee.  It was quiet, so I sat on the couch and wrote my blog update, from about two days prior,  in comfort. It actually does take discipline to keep this thing up to date, but somehow we manage to do it anyways.  As I was finishing up, the rest of the inhabitants of the house (and Chip) were making their ways downstairs.  Rachael cooked us a breakfast of fresh eggs from their chickens as we discussed the days plans, and future weather reports as well.  

After breakfast and more coffee, it was time for us to get ready to load the bikes and ride off into the wild, not so blue, yonder.  After saying our goodbyes, and thanking them for their hospitality, we took the group pictures and headed down the road.  Jack and Rachael were both wearing their K&M Farm shirts, which made me smile because it's the 4th place I've stayed where the "hosts" we're repping our farm.  

A quick stop for gas and we were headed out of Anchorage along the Turn Again Arm, named for something I can't recall.  After passing a few cars we settled into a comfortable open spot and just cruised down the road enjoying the amazing scenery.  After a while we were running alongside the Kenai River, which is famous for it's salmon fishing, and this year has been epic from what I understand.  There were plenty of rafts and anglers casting for the spawning salmon. It would be great to go try to hook some, but there just is not a good way for me to deal with fish, on a motorcycle,  4500 miles from home. Thankfully Jack and Rachael gave us a package of salmon they had smoked. (Had some for a snack when we arrived in camp, delicious!)

We arrived in Homer after a few rain showers, and foggy roads. Halibut fishing Capital of the world, and the town is all about fishing, so it does pain me a bit not to try the local occupation.  We made our way out to a campground on the end of the Homer Spit and setup out tents in a very basic parking lot style campground.  With water on both sides, snowcapped mountains in the distance, and restaurants within walking distance, it will certainly suffice for the night. It's calling for rain, so I guess I'll learn how waterproof my old tent is.  Probably a good time to find out, since my wife will be taking this tent on a week long backpacking trip in England when I get home.  I'm a big fan of Sierra Designs tents, this one has been with me for about 12 years, serving duty on the Appalachian Trail,  and both previous motorcycle trips, spanning 34 different countries over 6 months worth of travel. So I feel pretty safe saying I won't get too wet this time either.   Tonight does mark the turnaround point of the trip,I guess.  Now I'm headed towards home, 4,500 miles away. There is still many places to visit along the way, but pretty much from now on, each day is going to bring me closer to Virginia. But it ain't over yet, far from it...

318 lb halibut,  massive!

KS