Homer and Oh what a Day! Sunny as forecast and warm as well. We decided on a 10 km hike into Glacier Lake and a look at Gull Island hoping for some otters and puffins. We negotiated a 12.30 departure with a 4.30 pick up with Mako’s Water Taxi who, by the way, get 5 stars.

As the map shows a water journey of some sort was essential. We are camped up in the hills at the green pin. Pin 2 is on the Spit where the boats are and is a town on its own. Pin 1 is the lake fed by a glacier. Somewhere on the glacier side is Gull Island. Firstly the Spit.

The pleasure craft marina. Rarely have I seen so many boats in one place.

Mako’s, just one of dozens of boat hire and tour organiser companies on the Spit. Mako’s came highly recommended and he delivered.

Shops, restaurants, cafes, souvenirs, clothes all available from these quaint timber shacks. Very colourful and decorated.

The Seafarers Memorial

Big fishing fleet including these king crab boats

It really is.

We eventually set off in a 25 ft speed boat. Our first aim was to see an otter in the wild. Before we even left harbour we met this bloke.

Then out the heads for a high speed run to Gull Island across the bay.

They were lined up to meet us. The island stank of guano with birds everywhere. Goal number two was a puffin.

As it happens we saw dozens. Across the bay we constantly came across otters and a seal coming home. They are very curious and cute.

We were taken about 1 km down the coast because the driver felt it too rough to land us. Eventually we pulled into a quiet cove for a very undignified landing.

Then down the beach looking for the trailhead.

The way all trailheads should start.

Bears are taken seriously but we were well read and well armed with bear spray.

The forest started off very lush and overgrown rainforest.

It then changed to a glacier bed, all gravel and rock with very poor soil.

This branch decided to start autumn early.

Then the lake.

It was stunningly beautiful, peaceful and quiet with only another 6 people there. We had half an hour to enjoy the scenery and have some lunch before heading back. The second half of the track was back in the rainforest but this time up then down a big hill.

We were dodging bear scat constantly on the track. It was obviously well used by the bears as well as humans. It was also a good test of the new knees which held up very well.

Our taxi home.

The last climb down the hill.

Nicky helping out the skipper

Homer is a lovely town in a stupendous location. The locals we have encountered are lively and quirky. There is a real sense of community here which apparently strongly bucks the traditional Republican state. Could easily spend a month here with so much to see and do. The Kenai Peninsular is a destination all on its own.

We leave Homer tonight on the 2am ferry to Kodiak Island and arrive at 11 am tomorrow. I have been greatly looking forward to Kodiak for its reputation as wild to a new level and the Kodiak bears.

On the crook chook front Collette is recovering nicely and Nicky has been next on the list. Lucky we have a doctor with us.