2012 July 6-20 Alaska Land and Cruise Adventure Review with LOTS of photos!

[WalleyeLJ]

 

 

We are surpirsing my parents for their 50th wedding anniversary and my BF's mom just because she is a great mom.

 

We are going on the Radiance of the Sea so I am really excited to see the info about the ship and see if you might have any cool pictures of the ship/rooms/other areas on board. My surprise idea right now is a photo collage with pictures from the areas we are going to on the cruise and cruisetour, wildlife we might see and the ship - to make a puzzle that should help them know that we are going on an alaskan cruise. So any info you can share about the ship would be great. :D

 

I took more photos of the ship this trip than any other I've been on - common areas, resturants, lounges, the casino, the atrium, stage shows, the Colony Club, etc. If you like them, I can work out a way for you to get a set so you can work your puzzle magic!

 

L.J.

[WalleyeLJ]

As we prepared to leave, I grabbed a few more shots as the sun had broken through the clouds just before we hit the water again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

L.J.

[WalleyeLJ]

As we paddled our way back, we saw more wildlife, including this Black Oyster-Catcher and another Sea Otter!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Along the way, Rick pointed out their "post office", a little wooded building with a small dock, where the local resident's mail was delivered twice a week. Rick told us that last fall, a black bear had broken in and really tore up the place, so he and some of the other folks had to paddle over and repair their post office themselves! On more side note, Rick worked on the team that rescued and rehabilitated sea otters after the Exxon Valdez disaster, and he had some fascinating stories related to that during the course of the day. Before we knew it, we were back at Rick's home, saying goodbye and making our way out of the kayaks and getting ready for our unexpected adventure aboard the water taxi on our return to Homer!

 

 

 

Rick - a helping hand right until the end!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I can't recommend Rick and A Seaside Adventure enough. They only had a single review on Trip Advisor and not much (if anything) of note on Cruise Critic, so I took a bit of a gamble on the unknown. I like their website, especially the part related to photography, and Rick & Dorle were a pleasure to work with, especially when I needed to reschedule and shift a day in order to fit in the Katmai bear adventure the day before! If you're in Homer with a few days and the need to get out and explore, give them a try - and tell Rick Bev & L.J. say hi!

 

 

L.J.

Edited August 7, 2012 by WalleyeLJ

[WalleyeLJ]

While the weather had cleared up, the wind had picked up as well for our water taxi ride back to Homer. Between the blowing spray and the pounding waves, it was hard to take a conventional photo. So, I crawled to the bow, and lying on my back against the land ramp and the floor of the boat, snapped a couple of shots of our group, who were enjoying the wind in their faces, Bev most of all!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A few minutes later, Captain Dave slowed up the boat and told us that he had received a call from a local biologist about a dead sea otter on a beach further down Kachemak Bay. He said the biologist had asked if he could go and find it and bring it back for study, but he wanted to check with us to see if we would be willing to add 30-40 minutes or so to the return trip. CSI's Linda, Linda, Charlie, Bev & L.J. all readily agreed to this unexpected and unusual side trip!

 

So, turning right, the water taxi pounded it's way along the shoreline, looking for the otter. The adventure was made a bit more so by the issue that the boat reporting the position of the suspected body was a place that Capt. Dave had never heard of. Keen investigative team that we were, we found the dead body! Considering it was a brown body on a brown beach in 2-3 foot waves along miles of shoreline, we did pretty well I think!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Given the building seas quartering across the beach, and the rough condition of the body, Capt Dave elected to snap a couple of photos and leave the body where it was. He said that it had probably been dead for more than a week, so it would have been a mess to bring on board. Bev, sea otter lover that she is, didn't realize the initial plan was to actually recover the body and bring it back. While she had hoped all day a sea otter would get in the boat for an up close encounter, that WASN'T the one she was dreaming of, and was happy that we didn't try to get to shore.

 

The boat turned around and made the long, slow plodding run across the bay to Homer. While the rest of the group went inside, Bev & I stayed out, taking a pounding as the boat crashed through the waves, but loving every minute of it. We passed a small island with a huge bird rookery on it, and thousands of birds flying all around it in the high wind.

 

Eventually we made it back to the Small Boat Harbor in Homer. Once we entered the harbor, Pica, the Captain's sweet dog, joined us on deck, eager to get out and stretch her legs after huddling in the cabin on the ride across.

 

 

 

 

 

 

With the arrival dockside, our grand kayaking adventure came to an end. It was a wonderful - if tiring - day, and we were looking forward to dinner, ice cream and heading to bed. But my adventure wasn't quite over yet...

 

 

L.J.

[sue402001]

You had me going with the dead body LJ, I'm glad to find out that it was a otter body!

 

Can't wait to hear more tales from your adventure!

[T-Rox!]

[email=""][/email]

 

L.J. .. although I can't possibly compare to your wonderful photos, I wanted to thank you for your advice on camera settings and how to get ready for the shot. Here is a photo I don't think I would have been able to capture without your help. I look forward to continuing to practice and learn about photography and one day, maybe I can put together something as amazing as what you are doing for all of your fans out here. Thanks, again!

T-Rox

[WalleyeLJ]

Here are a couple of early evening shops on the Spit:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tonight for dinner we decided to go for pizza at Finn's, right across from the small boat harbor area along the Spit. It was highly regarded on Trip Advisor, and some prior CC posts, and it was as good as advertised. It's hand-made and wood fired on the ground floor, with a solarium dining area on the 2nd floor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More dead bodies below!!!

 

 

While the solarium area was nice, it felt like it was 110 degrees up there! I figured it was just me being tired and wind burned, but Bev felt the same way too - she was just too tired to go outside to cool off like I did! On one of my cool off trips, I took my camera with me. Walking around to the front of the building I witnessed a funny event. Someone had left several bins of fish carcasses next to their vehicle while they apparently ran in somewhere to take care of some business. Well, it took the local seagull contingent about 5 seconds to hone in on this feast and start screeching and fighting over the best parts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After dinner was done, we headed back across the street to get some ice cream and walk down into the Small Boat Harbor.

 

 

L.J.

Edited August 8, 2012 by WalleyeLJ

[WalleyeLJ]

You had me going with the dead body LJ, I'm glad to find out that it was a otter body!

 

Can't wait to hear more tales from your adventure!

 

LOL - more dead bodies tonight!

 

L.J.

[WalleyeLJ]

 

L.J. .. although I can't possibly compare to your wonderful photos, I wanted to thank you for your advice on camera settings and how to get ready for the shot. Here is a photo I don't think I would have been able to capture without your help. I look forward to continuing to practice and learn about photography and one day, maybe I can put together something as amazing as what you are doing for all of your fans out here. Thanks, again!

T-Rox

 

T-Rox - that's a FANTASTIC whale tale shot. Better than anything I was able to get this trip. Great job!

 

L.J.

[WalleyeLJ]

The weather was beautiful after dinner, with a nice golden sunset building. After getting some ice cream at Spit Licks Creamery (which was EXCELLENT), we went down to walk the docks and look at all the different boats.

 

 

Spit Licks!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Headed to the harbor...always on the lookout for otters!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

L.J.

[WalleyeLJ]

unloaded. We watched as they hauled the fish up, dumped them out for sorting, and then began the separating and packing process. Even though we were a good way away, it was still very cool to see in person.

A witty sign on our way to the Salty Dog Saloon! If we had time and were looking for a halibut charter, they would have TOTALLY had our business!

L.J.

[WalleyeLJ]

While Bev & I really don't drink, the Salty Dog Saloon - originally the post office - is a BIG tourist attraction in Homer, and we felt obligated to stop and have a round before calling it a night. I was NOT expecting what we found inside! We only stayed about 10 minutes as the place was PACKED, and there was a constant flow of people stepping inside to snap some photos and then move on (I wonder who one of THOSE people might have been...)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We hit a few gift shops before heading home for the night. Many of the shop stay open until 9pm or so during the summer - but some don't. So if it's getting late and you think you might want to go back, just check to make sure they'll be open late. While we didn't get it, we couldn't resist taking a shot of this t-shirt in one of the shops.

 

 

 

 

 

 

L.J.

[WalleyeLJ]

As we headed out of town, Bev behind the wheel, I spied movement in the Homer Spit Fishing Hole, which is on the right side headed back to the mainland. At the same time, Bev noticed two eagles sitting on the hill above the fishing hole, so we turned around and headed back to see what we could see.

 

 

First the eagles!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then - on to the main event. As we walked down to the water's edge at the Fishing Hole, we waited a couple of minutes, and were rewarded with a private, up close show from a little harbor seal that had made its way into the lagoon! It splashed and played and zoomed around the lagoon, probably tracking down fish that were caught in there with its superior speed. At one point we were no more than 25 or 30 feet from it while it worked its way around the Fishing Hole.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, we decided it was time to leave the seal alone and make our way home as we could barely stay awake. It had clouded up as we were leaving the Small Boat Harbor earlier, but as we headed back into Homer, I noticed that the cloud bank was clearing, creating a small opening that the later setting sun would be coming through, likely shining on Homer before it set. So despite being VERY tired, I dropped Bev off and headed up to the overlook on Skyline Drive, hoping my theory would prove true...

 

 

 

L.J.

[NoobCruise]

Ahhhh way to leave us hanging! ;)

[WalleyeLJ]

Despite the long, exercise filled day, and the fact it was a few minutes after 10pm, I was excited as I worked my way up the hill to the overlook. By 10:30pm or so, the sun still hadn't broken through, the wind picked up, it had gotten down into the 40s, and I desperately needed a bathroom! However, my patience/insanity was rewarded - doubly so! The sun finally dropped down and offered about 15 minutes of beautiful golden light. It started at the base of the hill, shining down on Beluga Lake and the Homer Airport. Then, the sliver of light slide across the landscape, out onto the Spit and Kachemak Bay.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then one of those magical treasures that serendipity sometimes provides blessed me with one of the most memorable natural and photographic moments I've ever had. As I took the first series of shots of the light on Homer and the Spit, I had a few minutes to wait as the light slowly worked across the bay. As I walked over to the left side of the pullout and looked towards the end of the bay, I saw, for me, the most unique and beautiful sight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have NEVER witnessed a rainbow from above, nor have I ever seen a rain cloud rainbow. I don't know if that's what the technical name would be, but that's what it was!!! I was one of the calmest, quietest, most serene moments I've ever experienced, and I felt for a moment like I was the only one in the world witnessing this wonderful paradox. On one side of the vista, a warm golden sunset on the Spit, and a half turn to the left, the dark Kenai Mountains in the background with the single brilliant white cloud, slowly drifting over Kachemak Bay, spilling rain and rainbows as is moved along towards the Spit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The further it moved, the more the rainbow arch grew, until the sun finally set, the rainbow fading and darkness finally sliding over the Spit, bringing the day to a most enthralling and memorable end...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tomorrow...Volcanic activity, a BIG Otter, and bears...baby bears...

 

 

 

L.J.

[WalleyeLJ]

Ahhhh way to leave us hanging! ;)

 

Read the next one!!!

 

L.J.

[NoobCruise]

Read the next one!!!

 

L.J.

 

Incredible! What amazing shots! I'm so glad you waited :)

[WalleyeLJ]

Incredible! What amazing shots! I'm so glad you waited :)

 

Me too! I was SO tired that night, but it was totally worth it...

 

L.J.

[DizzyDallasDi]

 

 

Thanks a lot, L.J. Now I have to make a special trip to Homer so I can get one of these t-shirts. :D

[WalleyeLJ]

Thanks a lot, L.J. Now I have to make a special trip to Homer so I can get one of these t-shirts. :D

 

LOLOL - that WOULD be fitting, wouldn't it!

 

L.J.

[alliecat378]

Hello again,

Did you take both the Kenai Fjords tour (Seward) and also the PWS cruise tour out of Whittier (MM or 26 glaciers)???

Would you rec'd both or either? Please reply ASAP as I need to make that decision like TODAY, lol. I will check back often. Thank you for your beautiful pictures and fantastic trip report so far....

Edited August 8, 2012 by alliecat378

[WalleyeLJ]

Hello again,

Did you take both the Kenai Fjords tour (Seward) and also the PWS cruise tour out of Whittier (MM or 26 glaciers)???

Would you rec'd both or either? Please reply ASAP as I need to make that decision like TODAY, lol. I will check back often. Thank you for your beautiful pictures and fantastic trip report so far....

 

Hey Alliecat,

 

Unfortunately, our 7.5 hour Kenai Fjords trip was cancelled do to high winds and 15-20 foot seas (low light of the trip as we couldn't reschedule before leaving on the cruise portion). We haven't been to PWS, but we have gone into Kenai Fjords kayaking before, and both from that experience we had, and all the trip reports this season before we left out of Seward, I'd say you can't got wrong doing any of the 6+ hour tours out of Seward. Both KF & MM offer 6 hour tours (don't do any of the shorter ones if you really want to get into the park and see wildlife). We were on the MM 7.5 hour, 2 glaicer tour (the 6 hour go to either Holgate or Aialik - not both). Both companies also have a 9+ hour trip into the Northwestern Fjords, whihc is on the to do list for next time!

 

L.J.

[WalleyeLJ]

Bev slept in a bit this morning, but I wanted to head down to the Spit one last time to get some early morning photos before we left. I woke to beautiful weather and hustled down for a couple of hours before heading back to pack the car and hit the road to Soldotna, where we were going on another bear watching trip!

 

First up - once more glimpse of the Moose 'n babies on my way to the Spit!

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the things that I was surprised about was the amount of camping that was done/available on the Spit. Most of it was vehicle & trailer camping, but the beach tent camping area was what really fascinated me. It seemed like a really neat way to spend time in Homer without having to pay too much for a place to sleep while having world class views and the soothing sound of the water breaking on the shoreline...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I also stopped by the Small Boat Harbor one last time, as most of the time we had spent there had been in the late afternoon & evening.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

L.J.

[WalleyeLJ]

Heading towards the end of the Spit, I stopped by the Seafarer's Memorial for some landscape shots as well visit the site which pays respects to the residents of Homer that have been lost at sea, primarily fishing. It was a somber reminder that while a beautiful place, Alaska can be a dangerous place to make a living, in ways most people would never think of our encounter. It was similar in many ways to the Fisherman's Memorial in Gloucester, Massachusetts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Seafarer's Memorial

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

L.J.

[WalleyeLJ]

I finally reached my goal for the morning, which was to stand at the end of the Spit! Here are three shots looking left, forward and right from the end of the Spit looking across Kachemak Bay.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, heading back to pick up Bev, head to Soldotna, and see more bears - hopefully!

 

 

L.J.