Kenai Peninsula

Stan: July 11 Soldonta

The trip from Anchorage to Soldonta on Saturday followed the north shore of Turnagain Arm – an arm of Cook Inlet –  for the first forty miles or so, before turning inland. The Seward Highway is a designated National Forest Scenic Byway, so we were looking forward to the drive. We started from Anchorage about 8:00 A.M. and the morning mist was still hanging around, which left the far shore hazy and we didn’t see much of it. The scenery I could concentrate on, kept my eyes busy enough. The highway eventually turns inland and from that point on, it was very clear. We may have a better look at the Turnagain Arm scenery on the way back from the peninsula.

One of the many lakes on the road to Soldonta.

I got semi lost only once. I took the wrong fork in the road, missed the Sterling Highway, and started toward Seward instead of Soldotna. We found a wide spot in the road after five miles or so and got back on the right track.

Yesterday, our day trip took us 75 miles to Homer, located at the tip of the Kenai peninsula. Homer is all about fishing, shopping, and camping out on the beach. Our original intent was to move from Anchorage to Homer and find an RV park. After I talked with a man in Anchorage, I was convinced that it would be more trouble than it was worth. I’m glad we didn’t drag the trailer any further than Soldonta, although we could have. There are RV parks, private and public, all the way to Homer, but I don’t think we would have wanted to stay more than one day. The RV parks we could see from the road, are cramped – short narrow parking spots – and looked full. Here, in Soldonta, the park is gravel, but the sites are generous and it’s only costing us $20.00 a day. We plan to stay at least through Wedneday.   

Dry camping on The Homer spit.

Shops and boat docks line the East shore of Kachemak Bay, with more shops and beach on the Cook Inlet side. I think most of the fishing and cruise boats are launched into the Kachemak Bay, which is fairly well protected. The boat docks are narrow floating platforms, maybe 10 ft. wide and 30 ft. long. Each end of the dock has a telephone pole sized pole passing through the wooden deck. The poles extend 20 feet, or more, above the water. I’m guessing the tides around the peninsula are extreme and these are guide poles to keep the docks in place.

Boat Docks in Homer

Since it was Sunday there were lots of tourists besides us. It was busy but I did find a parking spot; parking is free in a couple of public parking lots and around some of the larger restaurants. We strolled on the beach and let Sheila, sniff, taste  and dip her toes in the surf. You would think, being a retriever and all, she would take to water more readily. She really likes to run around and romp on the beach but won’t plunge right in, like most dogs of her breed will do, any chance they get.

Got her toes wet.

We sampled the shops. Two or three had expensive offerings, while the rest, were a mix of moderately priced and cheaper merchandise.  There seem to be many good carvers and some painters in this area. Well-done art work ranges from $100.00 to thousands. The less expensive trinkets, tee shirts and hats are from China. So far I’ve found only one baseball style hat made in the U.S., at the Alayeska Pipe Line information booth in Fairbanks.  I bought one; it cost the same as the imported variety.

Part of the boardwalk on the Homer spit.


One of the many colorful signs.


Hanging flower arrangements every where. These were in a commercial green house.

The wind blew fairly hard yesterday; I had put the awning down to shade the trailer, and left it that way when we took off. The wind was gusty on the peninsula and I didn’t know what it was like in the RV park, so I was a bit apprehensive. The awning could be torn up by the time we returned. Fortunately, one of our neighbors was a good Samaritan. He had to put his awning up so he did ours as well. I know better than to leave the awning down; we were lucky this time and avoided what could be an expensive repair.

It was a good day trip and tomorrow we’ll take the 95-mile drive to Seward and back.  But today is maintenance day, we’ll mop the floor, clean and defrost the fridge, try to wash the dog, get hair cuts and, in general, relax.