Homer Things to Do

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Homer Spit is a long needle-like piece of land which my sister wanted to visit because it is one of the most southern points of Alaska. We drove along the road which led to the end of the Spit, and we did pass by a memorial dedicated to those who have lost their lives to the sea.

Seafarer’s Memorial – located at the end of the Spit. On a good day, they say you may see a lot of eagles in this area and this would be a great photo opportunity. When we went, the bald eagles were at Lands Ends Resort and we just saw some ravens at the Memorial.

The greenish bronze (?) statue is that of a seaman and there seems to be a lot of offerings at the base of the statue, shells and little stones. And sadly, there was also a picture of a young man - might have been someone who lost his life at the Alaskan waters.

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Sure, Homer is considered Halibut Heaven for most fishermen and there are a lot of charter boats for rent there that will take you out into deeper water. But the great thing about Homer is you can cast a line right from the rocky beach at the end of the Spit and come up with fishes! Of course, you need a lot of patience, sunblock and a comfortable chair as you wait for the inevitable nibble. But it sure seems like a pleasant way to spend a day ... as long as you can get someone else to bait the hook for you.

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The guy beside me on the plane was an avid fisherman and he did say that he has also been to fish in Homer, and little did I know that I would be in Homer in just 5 hours from that conversation. When my sister picked me up at Anchorage airport, she brought me immediately to Homer which is an easy 4 hours drive away - during springtime (good road conditions).

Fishing for halibut is what people go for in Homer and it is the place where people commonly get 30-50 to 100 pound halibuts! We went to one of the most southern parts called Homer Spit and we were lucky enough to see a fisherman catching a halibut - perfect timing!

Halibut Fishing is available all summer when there is a halibut derby!

However, salmon fishing (specially at the Kenai Peninsula) needs some timing:

The first King Salmons show up in late May and then they continue to run June to July. Mid-June is when the sockeye salmon season starts, these fish being in the river through August. The Silver Salmon show up much later and fill the rivers from August through September.

A fishing license is required for anyone 17 and over. Under 16 and fishing for king salmon, you need a "free harvest record." License fees range from $10-85 depending on resident status and length of validity. These licenses can be purchased at local c harfter offices, sporting good stores and some retail stores (online at www.adfg.state.ak.us)

Fishing is THE reason to go to Homer. Halibut, Salmon, Ling Cod, Rockfish.... Just make sure you have a Derby ticket if you're there during the Homer Halibut Derby or you may regret it. There are prizes for catching a tagged halibut or bringing in the largest one during the contest. The leader as of now is 348lbs! Twice this season tagged halibut were caught but without a derby ticket. $10,000 lost. So sad all they got to keep was a fish and a hat.

There are numerous charters all along the Spit. Make reservations early or try to find a last minute spot on a boat by checking for "Open Boat" signs in the windows. Capt Pete (Magic Waters Charters) has a large comfortable boat.

A nice leisure activity... wander through the nature center and learn about Alaskan plants, flowers and birds. Located up the hill on Skyline Drive, the center is in a relatively undeveloped area which attracts moose and black bear. Guided tours are available for an additional charge (approx $2). There is also about 800feet of boardwalk from the entrance to the cabin and viewing platforms which makes it handicap accessible.

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Up the hill just east of where north Main Street runs into Pioneer Avenue, there are also several historical buildings. The Homer Cash Store was one the area's premier stores when it opened in 1936. At one time, the second story was the town's dance hall. It was renovated in 2002 and is now called the Main Street Mercantile. The former Heady Hotel is across the street. It is still a hotel but is now called the Heritage Hotel. Al and Esther Heady began building the hotel in July 1946 and it opened in 1948. It is known for its three-sided logs and poured concrete floor.

Alaska Wild Berry Products is further east on Pioneer Avenue. It has been in business at the same location since 1946. They make and sell jams/jellies made from wild berries. The old Homer Post Office is next to Alaska Wild Berry Products. It was built as a community project in 1927 on Tom Shelford's homestead near the mouth of Beluga Slough, and subsequently moved to its present location when it was replaced by a new post office in 1936.

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There are two main areas in which to do walking tours. The historical area at the south end of Main Street is probably the older. It includes the area around the historic Driftwood Inn above Bishop's Beach. The Driftwood Inn (see a separate tip) was once a school, a cold storage, a private residence and the Inlet Inn Hotel. The Inlet Trading Post (now the Bunnell Street Gallery and B&B) is also in a separate tip. Another building is the Olson Lane Cabin. Early residents don't recall who built it or when. It may have been a casket storage building at one time but is now a private residence. You can also find the former Hasen Log Home, which now houses the Mermaid Cafe and B&B, and the Old Inlet Bookshop. It was built of local spruce in the 1920s on an island across the bay, and moved to its present location in the 1930s.

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The Homer Society of Natural history tells us that... the Pratt Museum focuses on the natural and cultural history of the Kenai Peninsula. Exhibits include artifacts from the area's earliest Native inhabitants to homesteaders of the 1930s and 1940s. Aquariums and a tide-pool tank feature live Kachemak Bay sea creatures. Visitors may operate remotely controlled cameras to view Alaska seabirds on inaccessible islands. Also exhibited are Alaska birds and mammals including complete skeletons of a Bering Sea beaked whale, Beluga whale and Steller's sea lion.

I was short of time and only looked at the outdoor exhibits like the Harrington cabin and botanical garden. This small museum is built on land donated by Sam and Vega Pratt, which was part of her family’s original homestead. Sam was an avid collector and donated his collection to help create the museum. Sam also served as the first volunteer curator when the museum opened in 1968. Museum hours are May-September, daily 10 AM - 6 PM; October-April, Tues. - Sun. noon - 5 PM; and closed in January. Adults are $5, teens (13-18) $2, children (6-12) $1, members with up to two guests and children under age 6, free.