Homer and the Time Bandit

To see a different part of Alaska that I had never been to, my mom and brother decided Homer would be a great place to take me. On a Thursday morning we loaded up Darrin and Rachelle's RV with tons of food and headed down to Homer.

Mom got us a camp site on the Homer Spit (a piece of land that juts out into the ocean and has ocean waters on both sides) and that was right on the beach. When we first got there we all headed down to the beach to go explore. As my nephew Jake would put it, we went on an adventure.

Out on the beach

Josh is all ready for some ocean stomping

Daddy with his boys (Darrin, Jaycob and Josh)

My mom joined the group and so did Jordan

My first time on a beach with mountains and a glacier! Isn't it beautiful?

Darrin brought out the kite but it wasn't the best flying conditions. The kids had fun trying to catch it though!

After some time on the beach, the decision was made to move camp sites so the adults wouldn't have to worry about the kids near the water. Once camp was moved, mom and I decided to take a walk down the Homer Spit. There were tons of shops and restaurants that we scoped out and I was excited to explore them the next day. We also went around asking for prices on a wildlife tour. Once we found a good one mom booked it so we would have something to occupy our time the next day.

While walking I spotted the Time Bandit store (Deadliest Catch) and mom noticed a line outside of the store. After looking a little harder I noticed that the captain (Jonathan) was outside autographing merchandise. I was super excited but didn't have money or a camera. So, off to camp we went where I told Rachelle about our sighting. She was super excited to!! Darrin, Rachelle and I headed back to town with money and cameras in tow.

When we got there the store looked closed but the door was slightly ajar. Rachelle pushed the door open and walked in (which I thought was quite brave and later she told me there was an "open" sign written on paper taped to the door) they went ahead and let us buy some stuff and Capt. Jonathan was wonderful enough to sign all of our stuff then even offered to take pictures with us!!

Here I am with Capt. Jonathan! Can you believe it is after 9pm and it is that light out?!

Then he moved us in front of a crab pot for a better picture... he was a really nice guy. And, he smelled really good!

On our way back to camp this little otter was swimming in the marina.

The next day we headed to town for lunch and a cruise. We ate lunch at Captain Patties Fish House where I had the BEST seafood I have EVER ate in my entire life. I had the grilled seafood plate, it came with halibut, salmon, scallops and prawns. I don't think I have ever eaten seafood that fresh and that perfectly prepared. Next time I am in Alaska summer or winter, I will drive down to Captain Patties for some lunch or dinner! Mom had the steamed clams (delicious) and Darrin and Rachelle had the appetizer platter (calamari, mozzarella sticks, clam strips and I think something else that isn't coming to me) along with a bowl of clam chowder each (they both really like it).

We spotted this eagle on our walk to lunch.

After lunch we headed out to our cruise place. In front of our charter shop were these halibut that some lucky people just had caught on a fishing charter.

My wonderful family ready to cruise the Alaska seas! Not really, we mainly stayed in the calm waters close to Homer.

Gull Island... I wonder why it is named that?!

A baby gull!

For the first time in my life I was able to see puffins! I love them... they are so cute!

This picture is better when you click on it (I think most of them are better when they are bigger) but then you can really see the puffins at the top of the picture near the grass. They make their nests in the dirt under the grass.

A sleeping sea otter. He didn't wake up for a while but when he did he rubbed his face and squished his cheeks. It was the cutest thing.

Now he is awake!

A big, fat sea lion hanging out on the rocks.

A mommy and a baby otter

Here is Jake driving the boat with his grandma by his side. Jordy got a turn as well.

Josh and I

Making our way back to camp. We decided to take a tourist picture under the homer sign... actually, that is a really big halibut I caught ;)

After our cruise we headed back to camp so the kids could have some quiet time. Mom and I took another walk down the spit for some exercise. When we got back Darrin cooked up a yummy dinner and then we took the kids down to the beach. Jake found this starfish coming in with the waves. The starfish was still alive but the kids were able to touch it and hold it.

I think they liked getting to see something like that up close.

Our ride back was an interesting one. We were stuck in traffic for 2-3 hours! We only moved about 3-4 miles in that time. Thankfully though, being in an RV there is food, drinks and a bathroom at hand. It was a great trip and I had so much fun getting to see a different part of Alaska.