Seward – Homer

It was dark when I woke up at 8:00 so it threw me out a bit. This is normal for this time of year here as the sun doesn’t rise until 9:00. I was all ready to go and checked out by sunrise.

As it had been a week or so since I “spoke to the folks back home” and I had purchased a new ‘phone card in Anchorage, I telephoned Mother and had a long chat to her. I had tried ringing Ameleah to wish her “Happy Birthday” but there was no reply – no matter I will try later (must remember I am up to nine hours difference from the UK) but must make it before 14:00.

Having done that I set off for Homer. This entailed retracing my steps back to Highway 1 and then heading south. The weather was getting progressively worse as I went turning from rain to snow. As I was getting hungry I decided a refuelling stop, for me, was the order of the day so I stopped at a typical little roadside diner. The pull in was ankle deep in snow and where it had been well trafficked it was just thick ice, which made me grateful for the traction control and ABS on the Grunt Monster.

I asked if they had a ‘phone in the diner and the helpful lady just spun the telephone around that was sitting beside the till and said “there you go”. I asked if it will be ok to use with my ‘phone card to which she said “sure honey, and I just love your accent” (another one I’d charmed by speaking). I called Millie and wished her happy birthday and discovered, as expected, that my card hadn’t arrived on time. I hoped a week would be enough especially as I sent it air mail from Juneau – and I know Juneau has an airport! If it is any consolation I was thinking of you on the day – and do often.

Having eaten whilst watching the small waterfall coming off the roof from the melting snow, it was time to hit the road again. The sun had come out and all looked well as I continued to Homer. The landscape here flattens out remarkably and the mountains are only distant humps. Either side of the road are flat plains with short firs growing on them which was a total contrast from the earlier scenery where one was always looking at a mountainside of some description. It was quite strange seeing so much sky. I knew my luck wouldn’t hold as it started bucketing down when I got about forty miles from Homer. It continued in this vain accompanied by a vicious wind which could switch the rain from vertical to horizontal at every blast. This was most spectacular when I got to the Homer Spit. I have to confess that I chickened out of driving to the end through the grey curtain which hid the end of it. I took one look at the sign reading “WARNING Waves may cover causeway in bad weather” realised it told no lies and turned back into main town Homer.

I found a motel down by the waterside as the main drag places were full or shut for the season.

My room was like a little captain’s cabin and was lovely and snug. The place over the road “Duggan’s Pub” had their steak night special going, so I enjoyed a steak dinner and a pint for $20.

When I got back to my little cabin Spank was playing with the ship’s wheel and I decided to let him have a treat and watch some TV. We found the Cartoon Network was showing Futurama followed by Family Guy so that was wonderful.

After that it was lights out – literally!