United States, Alaska – We rented a yurt in Homer!

Homer, on the Kenai Peninsula, a small, typical Alaskan fishing port. Fishing boats, stilts, fish, the bay, and above all, comfort and relaxation in a beautiful yurt with a view!

Tuesday, August 27^th, 2024

From the charming village of Seward, we follow the only road crossing the Kenai Peninsula, in southern Alaska. The landscapes are stunning, but when are they not in Alaska? August in Alaska is known for being less sunny than July, and that's something we've experienced since our return. Yet, when the clouds finally clear and the sun appears, even faintly, the scenery is instantly illuminated. Regardless of the weather, whether sunny or gloomy, we love Alaska and its wild landscapes.

The road runs alongside the Kenai River, which glistens a deep blue under the sun. Dozens of fishermen are busy along the shore or in small boats—the salmon season is in full swing. It's time to stock up the freezers in preparation for the harsh winter ahead!

We stop at noon in Soldotna. It's pouring rain, so we eat in the car before spending a few hours sheltered in the town's public library. In the late afternoon, we hit the road again and soon catch sight of Homer and its beautiful bay.

We came to Homer two years ago to visit this small fishing port, proclaimed the halibut capital of the world, a tasty fish with white flesh. But today, our reason for being in Homer is entirely different. In fact, we’ve booked a night of total comfort in a yurt! Since arriving in Alaska, we've been searching for a cozy cabin to settle in, preferably with a nice view. And while browsing Airbnb, we found this beautiful yurt! Sure, it's not a cabin, but we're just as charmed!

The place is magnificent, much more than we imagined. From the terrace, the view of Kachemak Bay is incredible. But there's little chance we'll truly enjoy the terrace! Not only is it raining, but we’re also dreaming of relaxing in the cozy and warm interior. And luckily, the inside of the yurt is like a dream: a cozy space, comfortably heated, with a super-comfortable couch just begging to sink into, a fully equipped little kitchen, and even a hot shower. Paradise! We love the place so much that, just after settling down on the couch with a hot tea, we extend our stay for another night.

Needless to say, we had an incredible evening there! We cooked delicious burgers (we had bought a pack of 6 buns, which is why we’ve been eating so many burgers lately 😅), chilled on the couch sipping tea, took a hot shower, and went to bed in a soft, cozy bed. All of it without feeling cold for a single second. A dream!

Wednesday, August 28^th

Of course, we slept very well in our little yurt! In the morning, the landscape is under clouds, and it’s raining. And for once, we’re happy to see the rain. It’s actually the perfect weather for a cozy day inside. At noon, we still head out for a tour of Homer. We hoped to eat at a restaurant to try the famous halibut from the area, but the place is closed. After a short walk around the harbor, we return to the yurt, where we spend the afternoon, evening, and night warm and dry!

Thursday, August 29^th

At 11 a.m., after enjoying the comfort all morning and until the last minute, we reluctantly leave our yurt. We could have stayed there for the rest of our lives! But the journey continues. We head down to Homer, determined to taste the local halibut.

Homer is a charming village on the Kenai Peninsula with about 5,000 residents, situated facing Kachemak Bay. What characterizes Homer is the "Homer Split," a 7-kilometer stretch of land that extends into the bay and where the Homer harbor is located. This is where we plan to enjoy the halibut! The harbor is filled with fishing boats of all sizes and types. While strolling along the docks, we spot an otter grooming itself. It’s so cute; it’s the first time we’ve had the chance to see one up close!

The shops and restaurants are built on stilts facing the bay. While waiting for the restaurant to open, we stroll along the walkways, passing souvenir shops and agencies offering excursions to the national parks around Homer, all accessible only by seaplane or water taxi. Everything is quite expensive. We arrive at the restaurant among the first customers and order the specialty of Homer: halibut fish & chips, for the pretty sum of $30 a plate! And this is the cheapest fish & chips in the area. It’s a delight! 😋

After eating, we return to the port while enjoying an ice cream. We time it perfectly, as it’s the hour when the fishing boats return! The crews proudly display their catches for all to see. Beautiful halibut! And as soon as they’re caught, they’re prepared right away!

Our otter is still there in the port. But… after grooming, it’s nap time!

It floats motionless in the water, very serene, letting itself be carried by the waves created by passing small boats. When Rémi's footsteps crunch on the pebbles, it lazily opens one eye to keep an eye on him. The scene is very funny!

We leave Homer in the late afternoon to find a place to sleep. It’s always hard to return to Jeeplife after having enjoyed such comfort. Fortunately, we don’t have to search long to find a nice spot to sleep. We head to a place we know well! We settle in for the night on top of a cliff, overlooking the bay, where we had slept two years ago. The sun is out, the weather is nice, the eagles are there, watchful, and the view is beautiful. In the end, Jeeplife isn’t so bad 😊.

Friday, August 30^th

This morning, it’s breakfast right on the beach!

We then spend the day exploring around Kenai, the largest city on the peninsula of the same name. We take advantage of the pleasant weather to discover the surroundings, including a provincial park, river, bay, and lakes.

As evening falls, we settle in for the night by a lake. Our next destination on the Kenai Peninsula: Whittier and a memorable hike!