Oma Loves U!: 2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (59)

Tuesday, July 9, 2019

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (59)

07/09/2019 No Travel Day - Rainbow Tour to Seldovia

Start Location:

Volcano View RV Resort
16867 Sterling Hwy, Ninilchik, Alaska 99639
907.567-3220

Start Time: N/A

Mileage: 54,324

Cost Per Night: $37.50 USD
Weather: 55 - 71 F Sunny With Hazy Horizon

We went down to Homer to board our Tour Boat over to Seldovia. The Rainbow Tour office is located on the Homer Spit, a long, narrow finger of land jutting 4.5 miles into Kachemak Bay. The forces of nature that built the Homer Spit might have washed it away years ago, if humans had not intervened. Although it is dotted with picturesque little shops, there really is not much to do on the Spit.

The boat ride took about two and a half hours, allowing us to explore the unique coastline of Kachemak Bay en route to the remote and charming community of Seldovia. We stopped at the Gull Island Seabird Rookery. As many as 20,000 seabirds build nests in the craggy rock faces and cliffs of the Island, which is on the south side of Kachemak Bay about three miles from the Homer Spit. We observed mostly Sea Gulls and Common Murres. The Murres looked very much like skinny penguins.

However, the flies in the area were horrific. They swarmed the boat and especially attacked the poor passengers in the open-air seating. For the rest of the trip over, everyone was dodging or swatting the huge vermin.

We did see a plethora of sea otters. They came very close to the boat and offered opportunities for photography. Unfortunately, the windows were not too clean, so you had to brave the elements in order to get a decent photo.

What can I say about Seldovia. It is a very small city in Kenai Peninsula Borough with under three hundred residents. There is no road system connecting the town to other communities, so all travel to Seldovia is by airplane or boat.

There are a handful of food establishments on the main strip; not much else. Paul and I had our lunch at the Boardwalk Pub & Grill. They are a full-service restaurant and specializing in seafood and many gourmet options from sandwiches, house made soups, seafood chowder and so much more. Paul enjoyed his Veggie Wrap and Green Salad. My Alaskan Rockfish Sandwich was amazing. The Seafood Chowder was just average though; not worth the extra $2.00 required. The view from our table was priceless.

On our journey home, I noticed that the flies had dissipated. Crew Member, Emma explained that they suck them up with a vacuum cleaner. Now why they could not do that on the trip over is a mystery.

I would rate this Seldovia excursion as average. If you have limited time, I would reject this one. However, as Seniors, the cost was just $59.00 plus tax. It was a nice way to while away the day.

We arrived at the Fat Olive in the nick of time. . . . just before rush hour. Fat Olive is a lively spot set in a former garage and serves wood-fired pizza, steaks & sandwiches, plus beer & wine. I started with a beer (Old Inlet Pale Ale). It was so tasty, I had to order another.

The kitchen is ‘open’ so you can watch the cook twirl the dough for the pizza crust – very entertaining. Our food arrived in a timely manner and was well above the average pizza establishment. We would highly recommend this place for casual nourishment.

Wildlife Spotted: Sea Otters, Sea Gulls, Common Murres