If Alaska were a restaurant, we had ordered the appetizer sampler- just a small taste of many things. A month was hardly enough time to commit to something more rich and savory such as a main course of river rafting with a side of backcountry backpacking in the Brooke's range. But even as we were satisfied that the time and energy we spent getting to Alaska was well-spent, Judy and Ken insisted we try a bit of dessert. Bring on Halibut Cove!
Judy, having the same energy to weight ratio as a hummingbird, needed only a couple of days to get ready to go open her cabin down in the cove after having been gone for nearly two months. She expertly bought and organized a week's worth of supplies and before we knew it we were on our way to Homer on the Kenai Penninsula where we would take a water taxi across Kechimack Bay.
When you think of a small and secluded coastal paradise nestled into Alaska's pristine wilderess, Halibut Cove is exactly what you are thinking of. A small community of close-knit individuals have built their cabins in an area where there are no bad views. A creative consciousness permeates the island and its residents which manifests itself in the form of two art galleries and a restaurant where the food is an artistic expression in itself. Tall board walks line the inner rim of the island making it possible to access the various shops and residences where the only other way to get around is by boat or kayak.
Judy's cabin was spectacular. It was the perfect jumping off point to explore the biodiversity of the surrounding waters or the hiking trails of the Kachimack Bay State Park. We kayaked, hiked, drank coffee and talked politics, went clamming, had dinner parties with the neighbors, grabbed a drink at the restaurant, and just soaked up the surrounding beauty. Juliet even got a ride in a bush plane. The whole experience was, to finish my original food metaphor, icing on the cake.
As the water taxi sped away from Halibut Cove and the Island's land mass became smaller and smaller on the horizon, we realized that we were officially on our way home.
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| The wonderful Judy and Kenn. |
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| Just outside of Homer. |
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| Arriving by water taxi. |
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| Welcome to the guest cabin. |
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| Judy is ahead of us, we could barely keep up! |
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| How did we end up here again??? |
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| Who needs to forge a river when you have a tram! |
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| 7.7 miles to the glacier - well worth it. |
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| Clamming with Judy. |
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| Austin: "I have to move this thing, who wants a ride?" Me: "I'm sorry, could you repeat the question." |
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| It was a negative tide day so Judy showed us a secret tide pool. |
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| I had no idea they were so small/ colorful/ full of life! |
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| Back at Homer. |
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