Highlights Map
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We leave Nome around noon which leaves us just enough time to scramble around to call a taxi. The phone in the lobby does not work, there is no one around at the reception and our cell phones seem to hate Alaska. In fact the only time we had reception (no data at all throughout Alaska) was right here on one phone and we were able to call a taxi.
The taxi is actually a van taking us on the most roundabout route to the airport picking and dropping off passangers throughout Nome so we feel quite happy when we reach the airport in time. Another interesting wrinkle is that after passing security the waiting room is a hangar in the cold, luckily the closed the door making it just a little bit warmer.
The flight is uneventful and we are soon at the airport and ready to pick up our new car. It takes longer than expected as we are on the wrong level in the parking lot but after finding it we are soon on our way to Potter Marsh our first stop on our drive to Homer with a quick stop at a supermarket on the way to buy new provisions.
As it is a marsh and we are further south compared to Nome we see our first Odonata (dragonflies or damselflies) resting on the boardwalk. This is the first sign that we are in a different ecological zone, as if the many trees wouldn’t have shown us that already.
We explore the boardwalk which is longer than we expected, it passes on an edge of the marshland high above the possible (not actual) water.
One thing which is not missing but is not in abundance on this stretch is the wildlife. We were hoping for moose or waterbirds but have to satisfy ourselves with robins and bald eagles.
The views from the trail are quite great with the mountain ranges towering over the marsh in the distance. We also see the train going towards Seward, it is the most common way for a cruising day trip from Anchorage as far as we understand.
On the return trip towards the car we continue a bit more along the boardwalk and that is where we see our waterbirds. They are common ones like Canada Geese and the ubiquitous Arctic Tern but still are fun to see.
We take one more look at the magnificent views before returning towards the car and catching an Alder Flycatcher on the way, cute!
The next stop is quite close by at the so called railroad museum. According to google it is closed but you can still stop and see some carriage stock including a very impressive snow track cleaner.
From here we are driving south following Turnagain Arm and keeping an eye out for the famous bore tide, a wave created when the low tide and high tide meet in the shallow waters. It is low tide so it might come in but then again it might not (it never did for us). There are also many stoppages on the road but we make reasonable time on our way south.
We have a few short stops mapped along the way like the Portage Townsite ruins, a town that was destroyed by the 1964 earthquake when it sunk 6 feet putting it below tide level. But in general we need to drive without stopping to arrive at a reasonable time in Homer.
This doesn’t stop us from enjoying the views as we pass through mountain passes surrounded by snow capped peaks. It is quite scenic and with few cars on the road it is also an enjoyable drive.
And then we are on the other side driving on the shore of Cook Inlet. The drive is less scenic but there are still some nice views from time to time over the inlet. The flowers on the side of the road also make the drive more beautiful, everything is very colorful in this area at this time of the year.
We are staying at an Airbnb in Homer and it is a beautiful home with a garden outside and our own squirrels living on the trees and beneath the porch. The house itself is beautifully appointed and we enjoy our evenings here throughout the stay.
The two bedrooms and one bath are upstairs and our first order of business is to start the heating. While it is warmer than in Nome it is still too cold to not heat it up at least for a bit of time.
While the house is heating we walk (!) to a nearby restaurant and order something for dinner. It is late evening but outside is sunny like it would be midday and the people eating inside are enjoying the great views.
We take the food back to our accomodation and it is surprisingly good. Full and tired after our long drive we are ready to go to sleep as we have a puffin watching cruise planned for tomorrow.
