Buggie Tour 2008-2014: Homer Alaska

In 1994, knowing my affinity with bears, Stacey gave me the book "The River of Bears" by

Larry Aumiller and Tom Walker. Larry spend over 28 summers at the McNeil River Game Sanctuary just North of the Katmai National Park on the Alaska Peninsula. This trip had been on my "bucket list" ever since. Getting to McNeil requires a permit obtained by lottery through the Alaska Fish & Game. This was our year.

Lupine Cottage #2

Austin and I arrived in Homer, Alaska 3 days before our permit spot. We checked in to Spruce Acre Cabins, the little #2 "Lupine was ours.

Our first day in Homer we spent getting acquainted with the area. We rode the trolley to the famous Homer Spit and had a great narration about Homer.

Homer Spit

Salty Dawg Saloon

Checked out the "Salty Dawg Saloon", and Austin added his own dollar the the thousands that are tacked up all over the saloon. Then we walked up and down the spit checking out all the little fish shanty shops. Austin enjoyed the chowdah so much at Capt. Patties that we went back again at the end of the trip.

inside Salty Dawg

Salty Dawg bar

Tuesday was our day to go halibut fishing. This was something Austin had on his "bucket list". We went out with Magic Waters Charters and Captain Peter Karwowski.

Our fishing permits only allow you to keep 2 halibut each but that didn't mean you couldn't catch and release. I caught my two fish and was done with it, Austin caught eight fish and a huge skate,(a dorsoventrally flattened fish that is closely related to sharks). Yes, I looked it up because I was asked what it was. The First Mate had to reel it in and it took 15-20 minutes before he got it up along the side of the boat and cut it loose. It was a fun day despite the 3-5 foot seas. On our way back to the harbor a sea lion put on a show for us.

Our fish, all 35 pounds, went to the packaging plant to be processed. Coal Point has been very good about handling our catch and all the issues on the East Coast caused by Irene.