After we brought Mike to the airport Sarah and I went in to Anchorage and booked a room at a motel. It was evening, and we thought it best to hang out and then set out on the 5 hour drive to Homer the next day.

The drive, like everything so far, was stunning. We got to traverse the Seward Highway between Anchorage and the Sterling Highway once again, which is a constant bombardment of unbelievable vistas.

We oohed and awed our way down the highway, eventually turning west toward Homer.

Part of why we were on our way west is because it had been recommended to me to visit Homer by several people, including our friend Craig, who grew up there. Also, every one we met in Alaska ahead of time confirmed that we should go, and that we should visit the Salty Dawg. (seriously, EVERY ONE. And yes, we went to the Salty Dawg. About that in a later post).

The drive west across the peninsula was also quite nice, though it became increasingly bland (for alaska) as we drove. We stopped in the odd little town of Sterling (4 lane highway, small scattered businesses on the side. It looks like a town that plans to be big, but for now… not even really a town). We wouldn’t have even bothered, but we were hungry and didn’t know how long it was until the next chance for food. We ate a truly awful lunch and then got back on the road, only to discover a town with many more options about 10 miles up the road. Oops.

About an hour before Homer the view finally opened up again, eliciting yet another “holy crap” from the two of us.

Shortly afterwards we encountered the adorable town of Ninilchik. I don’t know how many people live there, but it looks like about 50.

Finally we descended on Homer, and I called Craig’s mom, who we were staying with there. We had a very confusing direction giving /receiving few minutes, not do to Homer’s complexity so much as my inability to see what she was pointing out while she tried to guide me real-time over the phone. Craig’s mom is the biggest sweetheart, and got a real kick out of the real-time guiding, wondering to us “what would we do without these cellphones?” I often wonder the same thing, completely unable to recall what I did a mere two years ago at the mercy of landlines.

Craig’s parents live at the base of the Homer Spit, with a super-awesome-omg-wow view. The picture does it no justice.

His parents are wonderful and it was lovely to arrive at their home and get the parent treatment a bit! Shortly after arriving we discovered the craziest coincidence. I hope to get Sarah to write here about it because her telling of the story is better. So:

Stay tuned for the exciting conclusion of our meeting Craig’s folks. Same bat-channel, some bat-time.