RVing to Alaska & Yukon Ep. 7 - Visiting Homer - Including a Bear Viewing Flight

In Episode 7 of our RVing to Alaska and Yukon Series, we visit Homer.
Homer is a great base to take flight in search of bears or to set sail in search of halibut. Unfortunately, mother nature decided to mess with our plans a bit.
The rain that had dogged us for about a week let up the day we arrived in Homer.
We’d booked an oceanfront site at Heritage RV Park - the most expensive camping on our trip.
Homer does have a lot of camping options, some much more affordable, but we wanted to be sure of a waterfront site on the Spit and we were glad we did….the beautiful views made it worth the expense.
The rest of that first day stayed clear and we visited the harbour and shops and galleries that line the Spit.
Unfortunately, the rain returned the next day and caused a bit of chaos with our plans: our the bear viewing flight and excursion to Katmai National Park got cancelled. It’s worth noting that the weather has to be good enough in Homer to take off and return as well as at your destination. The forecast only showed one good day in the next four so due to availability challenges we had to change tour operators and opt for one that instead flew to Lake Clark Ntl Park.
We flew in a group of 4 Cessnas and once at Lake Clark each pilot searched for grizzlies. Our pilot spotted a large one near the beach, so we landed and started our hike. The waders the tour operator, Alaskan Bear Adventures, provided came in handy as it was hard slogging through some marshy terrain. Unfortunately when we got to the location where the bear had been….he was gone.
So it was back in the air and the search continued. Another pilot found a bear a few miles up the coast so back to the beach we went. I don’t mind telling you hiking in lose sand was a challenge for me. But after about 15-20 minutes, we were gathered about 40 yards from what turned out to be a rather restful grizzly.
Because the tide was coming in making the beach area usable by the aircraft smaller by the minute, our bear viewing was over too soon and it was back in the air to return to Homer - and of course before we got back the weather turned and we landed in the rain.
Just a quick note - any time you go out wildlife viewing there is a chance you could be disappointed - of course we had hoped to see lots of bears but mother nature never gives you a guarantee.
We’d also wanted to book a fishing charter - after all Homer is the Halibut fishing capital of the world, but the weather forecast was so bad we opted to stay ashore….but we did have great seafood dinner at Captain Patties - it was definitely one of the best meals of the trip…..and the best halibut I have ever tasted.
Since we’re on the topic of food, we also had sandwiches from Captains Coffee, located in downtown Homer - another great meal and honestly the best sandwich we’ve ever tasted.
The heavy rain wasn’t constant and breaks provided opportunities to watch the locals fish, visit Bishop’s Beach for a scenic stroll on the mudflats at low tide…and to do a bit of shopping. We really enjoyed the Bunnell Street Art Center and its amazing Alaskan made crafts.
We also had an opportunity to visit the Alaskan Islands and Oceans Visitor Center. Part of the US fish and Wildlife Service the center provides a window into the world of seabirds, marine mammals, and their habitats in Alaska.
We actually extended our stay in Homer hoping for a good day to go halibut fishing but it just wasn’t in the cards and we needed to start heading north as we had looming reservations at Denali so we set out, driving past swollen rivers, as far as Wasilla where we boondocked at the local Walmart.
Greeted by clearing skies the next morning we stopped at the Headquarters of the Iditarod Dog Sled Race. It has a small but interesting museum as well as a gift shop. And then it was back on the road, Denali bound.
Our visit to Homer was the first time on the trip the weather had been a factor that actually limited some of what we could do, but in the grand scheme of things, it was still a great stop.
#homer
#visithomer
#visitinghomer
#kenai
#alaska
#visitalaska
#visitingalaska
#bearviewing
#alaskabearadventures
#alaskahighway
#driving
#rvlife
#rving
#roadtrip

[@wellsonwheels457]

Awesome.

[@ShawnPatterson402]

The reality of RV life is the weather will be what the weather will be. I love the way you are doing what you have to do, and are making the best of it. As always, safe travels.

[@scottstrobbe9920]

Don't you know that the fishing is better in the rain? Haha. That's just an old wives tale to get their husbands wet! Too bad there wasn't more bears but at least you did get some awesome photos. Another great video! Cheers.

[@TrueNorthCamping]

Thanks Scott…and it gives us a reason to go back right?!😉

[@derrickclemons2862]

Nice, subscribed.

[@TrueNorthCamping]

Thanks Derrick!

[@williamday1090]

I know what you mean by the rainy weather. We were in Alaska about the same time you were and it rained while we were in Homer, Seward, and Valdez.

[@h00d000]

Thank you for the series! Enjoyed your adventure through your lens.

[@TrueNorthCamping]

Thanks, Glad you enjoyed it!

[@remitremblay2091]

And play with your beautiful dog! We love Shetland collies… he must be the best of friend to you both! Great video again! Good job! Rain! Alaska! We are taking notice! Remi

[@TrueNorthCamping]

Hes such an amazing dog and such a good traveller! He loved the trip to Alaska. And don’t let the rain worry you too much - last august was wetter than normal for sure but other than the fishing charter, it didn’t stop us from doing anything….and a real fisherman would have gone out in it regardless 😉just goes to prove we’re not real fishers lol

[@jeffeverett763]

Your videos are great! Thank you. We are planning on leaving NH on May 15 will be in Homer around July 4. What dates were these videos taken? We have our kids and grandkids coming for the week of the 4th (flying in for 9 days) and wonder what the weather be. Thanks!

[@TrueNorthCamping]

Thanks very much Jeff, we were in Homer for 6 days, approximately August 14-20 (and generally July is a drier month). Hope this helps. Have an amazing trip!

[@jeffb9444]

What time of year was this?

[@TrueNorthCamping]

We were in Homer August 14-20.