Making Ourselves at Home in Homer

Good morning, my friends. It was a beautiful sunny day in Homer yesterday. It was nice to see the sun after so many days of rain. I showed you the view from our back window in a previous post. Looking in one direction, it looks like this:

Turning to look in the opposite direction, it looks like this:

And if  you didn't already know it, I have a thing for Adirondack chairs.

So I mentioned yesterday that we were within walking distance of Two Sisters Bakery, although I called it "Three" Sisters Bakery yesterday. It seems there are only two sisters. Probably the third sister is too lazy to get up early for baking. 

Along our way, we passed by this rustic structure. It appears to be someone's home. (Sorry for the lens flare.)

On the left side were some murals and signs.

Just about a five minute walk down the road was the bakery.

This place came highly recommended in multiple Facebook posts. We arrived ten minutes before opening time, and there was already a long line. While we waited, a line equally long formed behind us.

We nearly changed our minds about waiting in such a crowd, but a man behind us said it went fast and that it was well-organized. He was right, and we were glad we toughed it out. 

In the display case were all these yummies. There were both sweet and savory options.

We each ordered a cinnamon roll and ate it outside.

They had a nice outdoor seating area with a pretty garden. These are known as Red Catchfly.

Having finished our cinnamon rolls, we walked back to the RV to fetch our Jeep. From there, we drove to the Farmers Market.

If you're packing heat, you'll need to wait here.

We were mainly just curious to see what kinds of things can be grown in Alaska. As it turns out, it was a lot like the stuff we see at our farmers markets back home. Most of it was hothouse grown. There were also homemade jams, jellies, and salsas.

Also, these sweeties.

We were especially interested in the fresh seafood selections. The oysters tempted us, but it seemed like too much trouble to prepare them in the tiny kitchen of our truck camper.

There were crafts. This wasn't a quilting booth, but they had a pretty quilt hanging in the background.

Okay, so we didn't buy anything at the farmers market, but it was still fun to look. 

From there, we drove out on Homer Spit. We drove about halfway, parked, and walked the rest of the way.

The lupin were blooming in abundance. They are at their perfect stage of blooming right now.

With the mountains in the background, I don't think it could have been any more beautiful.

As we walked along, we came on two of these little rows of shops. I've been disappointed to find everything in Alaska *very* expensive. I've been on the hunt for gifts for folks at home, but most everything is more than I want to spend. I did pick up a couple of things yesterday...some Spit salt seasoning and another t-shirt.

We asked a local man where all the eagles are. We've seen photographs of eagles in Homer, but we haven't seen them with our own eyes. He prompted us to look up, and yes, there were bald eagles sitting atop light fixtures. The nearest one was a juvenile.

Gazing out at the mountains again, I caught this passing fishing boat.

On my Homer Spit bucket list was to find the Salty Dawg Saloon. We weren't exactly sure what to expect from a "saloon."

If you have your dawg with you, you'll need to wait outside.

Inside, it turned out to be just a bar. Folks had written their names on dollar bills and pinned them to the walls and ceiling.

We turned around and headed back at that point, enjoying the signs for different businesses along the way. There were also businesses that would freeze your fresh catch.

This is yellow Indian Paintbrush.

Passing by the community theater, we noticed this mural painted on the side. 

It was a little hard to read, but it turns out to be Puck's final monologue from Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream":

From there, we headed to our final destination for the day. The Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge visitor center is closed on Sundays, and so we stopped off to hear about hiking trails in the area.

If you're riding a bike, you can lock it up at one of these bird bicycle stands.

Turning around from there, we walked to the visitor center.

Along the way, we noticed this one hiking trail that heads off right from the parking lot. There is also access to the trail here in the RV park. We'll definitely be doing this hike today. There were a couple of others we'll get to as well.

Inside, Mike was able to locate the small island where his brother Phil was stationed while in the Coast Guard many years ago. He was a buoy tender at this remote location.

Also, I liked this advice from a whale.

Armed with hiking information, we headed back to the RV for the remainder of the day. While we ate our lunch, a motorized paraglider flew by...back and forth, and then right over the top of us. That's something you don't see every day.

And that brings me to today. We're expecting another beautiful day with rain more likely tomorrow. It means getting out and doing our hiking today. We'll take care of some life things here, but one must make hiking while the sun shines...or something like that...making hay, or whatever.

So...off I go. Blueberry pancakes coming right up, and then we'll be on our way.