Update on Stu!
While he was in Fairbanks, Stu took advantage of the down time on Friday and Saturday. He spent the time resting with his leg elevated. He had full intentions to make a few adjustments to his motorcycle that would allow him to be able to shift. Then he was going to spend another three, or four, more days resting. He planned on heading south (on his motorcycle) taking a slightly more direct route back to Florida.
Instead, he wisely decided to follow his doctor's advice and made the regretful decision to fly home and ship his motorcycle, by truck, home.
Monday night he boarded the plane in Fairbanks and arrived home late Tuesday morning.
Jill will give him the care that he requires in order to make a full recovery from that fractured ankle.
At the very end of the road in Homer, Alaska the guys found this restaurant, Land's End.
Joe, Ron, Mike, Fred and David dining at Land's End on Homer Spit. That doesn't sound appetizing at all.
Turns out that Homer Spit is a place, and has nothing do with some guy named Homer's excessive salivation.
The Homer Spit is a geographical landmark in the southern tip of the Kenai Peninsula. It is a 4.5 mile long piece of land that juts out into the Kachemak Bay. A miniature peninsula, if you will. It is only 19 feet above sea level making it highly subject to storm surges. In fact if the nearby Augustine Volcano were to erupt it would send a giant wave over the Homer Spit in a couple of minutes. Residents would have little, if any, time to evacuate. Tsunamis from other ocean activiity would allow Spit dwellers enough time to act accordingly. The West Coast/Alaska Tusnami Warning Center, which is located in Palmer, Alaska monitors such oceanographic activity.
The Spit features the longest road going into ocean waters in the entire world! It takes 10 - 15 minutes to drive the length of the road.
The Homer Spit
A close up view of the Homer Spit.
This photo was taken from a loop road called Skyline Drive. Skyline Drive overlooked the entire Kachemak Bay and Homer Spit. This was a gorgeous drive.
This photo was taken from a loop road called Skyline Drive. Skyline Drive overlooked the entire Kachemak Bay and Homer Spit. This was a gorgeous drive.
Bald Eagle
Hundreds of Eagles have gathered at the Spit in the winter time. They are fed by a lady known as The Eagle Lady. Her real name is Jean Keene.
Restaurants, shops and local businesses along the Spit.
In addition there are also campgrounds and hotels located here too.
In addition there are also campgrounds and hotels located here too.
The Homer Spit is full of deep and shallow water docks. The area serves up to 1500 commercial and pleasure boats at the summer peak. The Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon (which is man made) is here at the Spit and is famous for easy Salmon Fishing. The locals refer to the lagoon as the fishing hole! In the photo above a freighter churns through the water near the Homer Spit.
Who let the moose loose?!
This little bull moose became separated from its mother as they attempted to cross the road. Mama safely crossed the road and headed down a steep ravine. The baby was frightened by the slippery asphalt, oncoming traffic, and steepness of the ravine. The entire mess caused it to completely lose its mojo. The baby turned around heading back across the road in the direction that it had originally come from with mama. The guys were able to safely navigate around the little moose.
A morning coffee break
Heading north out of Homer
Completely though Homer, heading through Anchorage
The five toured through Palmer and turned east on the Glen Highway.
The Glenn Highway turned out to be an amazing 140 mile run to Glennallen. The mountains on the north were Talkeetna and on the south the Chugach Mountains. This image is from the Glenn Highway.
Joe, Mike, David and Fred with the Mantanuska Glacier behind them (the patch of snow).
Ron's turn in front of the Matanuska Glacier
The Matanuska Glacier is without a doubt the largest and most spectacular sight between the cities of Palmer and Glennallen. It is the largest glacier in Alaska that is reachable by vehible. This glacier was chosen by Alaska Magazine as the second of the 49 places to go in the 49th state.
The Matanuska Glacier is without a doubt the largest and most spectacular sight between the cities of Palmer and Glennallen. It is the largest glacier in Alaska that is reachable by vehible. This glacier was chosen by Alaska Magazine as the second of the 49 places to go in the 49th state.
10,000 years ago this glacier began its retreat and remains unchanged for two decades.
It is a true valley glacier.
It is a true valley glacier.
This is the Tazlina Glacier. This glacier is 25 miles long!
The Wrangell Mountains
The Wrangell Mountains contain 14 of the 40+ mountains in Alaska that are over 13,000 feet in elevation.
The Wrangell Mountains contain 14 of the 40+ mountains in Alaska that are over 13,000 feet in elevation.
That's a pretty impressive mountain range to have that many thirteeners and fourteeners as residents.
The guys are heading towards the Wrangell Mountain Range
The guys have stopped and are unloading their gear.
The Caribou Hotel, lodging for the night
The group of five had dinner at a little diner that sat in front of the Caribou Hotel. Spending 11 1/2 hours astride their iron horses made this a long day. All of them agreed that this was one of the most scenic days, from morning departure to afternoon's end, that they have had.
