June 20, 2007
Posted by: Dick Wilson
Posted by: Dick Wilson
Start: Anchorage, AK
Destination: Homer, AK
Miles traveled: 249
Destination: Homer, AK
Miles traveled: 249
Exhausted from an exceedingly vigorous and long day yesterday, I slept in until 8:30. We talked with a cyclist from Alabama who were staying at the motel. He was riding a 2004 Honda Goldwing with 60,000 miles on the odometer. One would wonder what else this guy did besides ride his motorcycle to have that kind of mileage in only four years. We were then off to the BMW dealer to change my oil. Steve bought some brake pads which he will install as soon as we get a breather in our traveling schedule. We then took off for Homer. The ride was pleasant, and t
he weather was delightful. Mountain views across the Kachemak Bay were again spectacular. Rugged, snow-capped mountains were easily visible as we had been dealt another day of bluebird weather. We stopped on the way to see the Portage Glacier. This drains into the Morraine Lake. Parts of the glacier break off, leaving icebergs floating in the Lake. This is an unusual fresh water occurrence. The volcanic runoff water is not clear. It has a milky appearance, like mixing one part of skimmed milk to 50 parts of water. I had been at the Portage Glacier 20 years ago. I was struck by how far the glacier has receded and the 
considerable water level drop in the Lake. This speaks to the issue of global warming but not to the total cause of this phenomenon. We checked into the Driftwood Inn. Our room was tiny with a pull-out bunk bed above a double in a room which was little more than 6' x 8'. However, it was clean and comfortable and the price was right. We then rode out to the Homer Spit, a tiny peninsula of land, sticking out into the bay where there are a host of touristy things. We had a great dinner, fresh halibut, which was a special treat for me, having been spoiled, eating truly fresh fish on several previous Alaska fishing trips. It was still light out when we turned in at 11:00 p.m, although considerably less bright than when at Coldfoot, which is more than 500 miles north of Homer.
he weather was delightful. Mountain views across the Kachemak Bay were again spectacular. Rugged, snow-capped mountains were easily visible as we had been dealt another day of bluebird weather. We stopped on the way to see the Portage Glacier. This drains into the Morraine Lake. Parts of the glacier break off, leaving icebergs floating in the Lake. This is an unusual fresh water occurrence. The volcanic runoff water is not clear. It has a milky appearance, like mixing one part of skimmed milk to 50 parts of water. I had been at the Portage Glacier 20 years ago. I was struck by how far the glacier has receded and the 
considerable water level drop in the Lake. This speaks to the issue of global warming but not to the total cause of this phenomenon. We checked into the Driftwood Inn. Our room was tiny with a pull-out bunk bed above a double in a room which was little more than 6' x 8'. However, it was clean and comfortable and the price was right. We then rode out to the Homer Spit, a tiny peninsula of land, sticking out into the bay where there are a host of touristy things. We had a great dinner, fresh halibut, which was a special treat for me, having been spoiled, eating truly fresh fish on several previous Alaska fishing trips. It was still light out when we turned in at 11:00 p.m, although considerably less bright than when at Coldfoot, which is more than 500 miles north of Homer. 
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