This morning I got a chance to appreciate the remoteness of last night's accommodations. After building a fire in the stove to get things toasty-warm in the yurt again I walked out to the water in the weak but appreciated morning sunlight. Here at Kayak Beach we are seven miles as the raven flies away from the Homer spit and harbor. There are no freeways around. The area isn't within a busy flight path zone. It's a little too early in the morning for any boat noise. It is so very very quiet. I haven't experienced silence in nature like this probably ever. I tried to sit and still my mind and do a little meditating but the silence was a bit unnerving.
We had a bit of a wait before our chartered boat was going to pick us up at the beach so Alesha and I made good on our promises to each other that we were going to take a dip in the little cove. Hans stood on the beach bemused as we shrieked and splashed in the *very* cold but absolutely crystal clear waters. Nothing makes you feel as invigorated as immersing yourself in 53-degree ocean! We hurried as quickly as possible back to the yurt to warm back up, change, and finish packing.
You can take the girl out of Alaska, but you'll never take the Xtratufs off her feet
The view while we wait for a ride
Back in Homer I requested a stop at the iconic Salty Dawg Saloon for a drink and lookie-loo. The cramped interior with low ceilings and heavy wooden tables smoothed by wear was a fun diversion before we did a little bit of shopping and had lunch at the fabulous Johhny's Corner poke stand. We all had incredible bowls of fresh fish and wonderful seasoning.
That is indeed a real human skull behind the bar
Go here for lunch. Do it!
Things took a little bit of a turn when we were back on the road. I hadn't been feeling great and another one of our party was a bit under the weather. I purchased some test kits on our way out of Homer since we were heading back to my sister's house in Anchorage to stay for the final 3 days of this trip and that's when I found out that I (and others) needed to quarantine. I'm leaving out details for personal privacy but you can probably figure out what I'm referring to here...
That was a bit of a blow after the high of our outdoor adventuring yesterday :(
There was another Russian Orthodox church on my list for the return drive so we went for a short walk around the one in Ninilchik. The skies turned very dramatic.
Once we were back in Anchorage we had to find a last-minute hotel to stay at for the next several days while we isolated. The least expensive option in a not icky part of town had a view of the Moose's Tooth Pizzeria and had apartment-style suites. The two positive ones stayed in one suite and the one who tested negative stayed in their own separate suite. Sadly this is pretty much how the trip ended. Our third party brought us takeout and medication while we laid about and tried to recover.
My view and disposition while feeling shitty and feverish. Sunglasses snagged from the yurt.
I didn't choose yurt life. Yurt life chose me.
Meanwhile, our connection to the outside world got to enjoy a couple more days of lovely scenery
I lost my sense of smell pretty quickly and I was grateful that at least the last meal I'd been able to taste was that poke bowl. When it was time to go home we said a socially-distanced goodbye to my sister and brother-in-law on our way to the airport. My nephew was going to be getting married in October so at least we were all going to be seeing each other in about a month. What a bummer way to end a trip though...
Hans and I made it home safe and sound with bags very heavily laden with gifts and souvenirs. I hadn't been back to Alaska in a very long time and this trip left me missing it more than ever. Until next time!
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