The road from Hope joined up with AK 1 again. I drove south on the Kenai Peninsula, through the incredible Chugach Mountains. Then, suddenly, the mountains spit me out and onto the flatlands of the Kenai Peninsula. The terrain was swampy but as I traveled south it took on a coastal feel. The road followed a ridge like the one in Point Reyes National Seashore in Northern CA, if you have ever been there! Then the road curved and mountains stared at me again. I stopped at the scenic overlook. Before me: snow-covered volcanic peaks, Cook Inlet, Homer, Homer Spit, the peaks of Katmai National Park and endless mountain ranges beyond that. The scene was so beautiful that I was numb. Goosebumps. Is there no end to the beauty up here?  I took dozens of photos but there is no way to capture the grandeur with my camera. Wow, Tango, Alaska gets more beautiful with every stop. He seemed unimpressed and wanted to get back in the car. Sign. Such beauty. Here are a few photos I found online:

A wintry view of Homer Spit and the mountains

Homer Spit

From there, I drove to Homer Spit, that low curve of land that juts out from the mainland. I was disappointed. The wind howled across the spit. The road was lined was with touristy shops and restaurants, and the City of Homer campgrounds were underwhelming, cramped spaces on the beach that cost double what my camping book quoted. Yuck. I drove the entire spit, turned back toward town, and stopped at the McDonald’s.

As Tango and I ate our cheeseburgers in the car, I thought about my options. I decide to drive back up the Kenai Peninsula and stop tomorrow in Seward. The draw there: Kenai Fjords National Park and the Exit Glacier. Then what? .

Hope! I will go back to Hope, one of my favorite stops of all. The week will be quieter and I can pick a spot a bit further from the saloon, on the tidelands or closer to the river in case I decide to stay for the weekend again. I love Hope. Tango loves Hope. I ask him what he thinks about going back to Hope and Tango wags his tail. That settles it. Fill up the tank, stock up on fresh veggies, fruits, water, and some protein drink powder, which is full of calcium as well

We head north to Seward and the mountains, with happy thoughts about returning to Hope.