Thread: From the Observation Lounge - where are Yonnie & Joe today?

Hoping Yonnie and Joe had a great time at Anchorage, and while they sleep Amsterdam is heading to Homer. They are due to arrive at 10:00 local time.

We have never visited Homer! All of our cruises were either Inside Passage or to/from Seward with the bus between Seward and Anchorage. What's the big draw in Homer? Glaciers or wildlife or....?

Whatever Yonnie & Joe do while in Homer, I hope they have a break in the weather and see sunshine!

What most people do not realize is that on a great circle plot, Anchorage is a great SHORT location to the US from the Pacific rim countries.

Amsterdam has arrived in Homer. Looks a long pier.

Homer is a city located in Kenai Peninsula Borough in the U.S. state of Alaska. According to the 2010 Census, the population is 5,003. One of Homer's nicknames is "the cosmic hamlet by the sea"; another is "the end of the road".

Homer is on the shore of Kachemak Bay on the southwest side of the Kenai Peninsula. Its most distinguishing feature is the Homer Spit, a narrow 4.5 mile (7 km) long gravel bar that extends into the bay, on which is located the Homer Harbour.

Much of the coastline as well as the Homer Spit sank dramatically during the Good Friday Earthquake in March 1964. After the earthquake, very little vegetation was able to survive on the Homer Spit.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 22.4 square miles (58 km²), of which, 10.6 square miles (27 km²) is land and 11.9 square miles (31 km²) is water. The total area is 52.83% water.

Amsterdam is on of three cruise ships that calls at Homer. Amsterdam is the most frequent calling every two weeks.

Homer visitors guide below:


http://homeralaska.com/


Current weather in Homer (AK) (Jul 07, 2012) looks rather cool.



The report was made 23 minutes ago, at 17:53 UTC. The wind was blowing at a speed of 2,6 meters per second (5,8 miles per hour) from southwest (220°). The atmospheric pressure was 1010 hPa (29.82 inHg). The relative humidity was 93,4 %. There were a few clouds at a height of 244 meters (800 feet), scattered clouds at a height of 1524 meters (5000 feet), and broken clouds at a height of 2438 meters (8000 feet). The overall visibility was 16,1 kilometers (10.0 miles).



9 °C
48 °F

Kodiak is today’s destination for Yonnie and Joe. Amsterdam is due to reach Kodiak the main city on Kodiak Island at 07:00 local time.

Amsterdam has arrived in Kodiak and we hope Yonnie and Joe have a great day.

The City of Kodiak is situated on the second largest island in the United States, approximately 250 air miles southwest of Anchorage in the Gulf of Alaska. The City of Kodiak was incorporated September 11, 1940. In 1965 Kodiak City voters adopted a City Charter (municipal constitution). The City of Kodiak is a home ruled city and operates under the Council-Manager form of government, which combines the abilities of a professionally trained, full-time manager, with the interested and dedicated services of elected citizens to enhance the safety, livability, and prosperity of the community.

The City of Kodiak employs 120 full-time and 9 part-time staff supplemented with seasonal employees. The City provides a full array of public services with a Police Department, Fire Department with Emergency Medical Services, Public Library, Parks and Recreation Department, Baranof Museum, Public Works Department, City Engineer, Finance Department, and Port and Harbors Department. The City operates a water utility and a sanitary sewer system with a wastewater treatment plant. The City is a hub for the maritime industry of Southwest Alaska and home to a large and varied fishing fleet. The Port operates a container terminal and the two small boat harbors accommodate a fleet of 1,200 fishing and general purpose recreational vessels annually.

Kodiak is one of 7 communities and the main city on Kodiak Island, Kodiak Island Borough, in the U.S. state of Alaska. All commercial transportation between the entire island and the outside world goes through this city either via ferryboat or airline. The population was 6,130 as of the 2010 census.

Originally inhabited by Alutiiq natives for over 7000 years, the city was settled in the 18th century by the subjects of the Russian crown and became the capital of Russian Alaska. Harvesting of the area's sea otter pelts led to the near extinction of the animal in the following century and led to wars with and enslavement of the natives for over 150 years. As part of the Alaska Purchase by the United States in 1867, Kodiak became a commercial fishing center which continues to this day. A lesser economic influence includes tourism, mainly by those seeking outdoor adventure trips. Salmon, halibut, the unique Kodiak Bear, elk, Sitka Deer (black tail), and mountain goats invite hunting tourists as well as fishermen to the Kodiak Archipelago. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game maintains an office in the city and a website to help hunters and fishermen obtain the proper permits and learn about the laws specific to the Kodiak area. The city has four public elementary schools, a middle and high school, as well as a branch of the University of Alaska. An antenna farm at the summit of Pillar Mountain above the city historically provided communication with the outside world before fiber optic cable was run. Transportation to and from the island is provided by ferry service on the Alaska Marine Highway as well as local commercial airlines.


Weather is still on the cool side for Yonnie and Joe.


Current weather in Kodiak (AK) (Jul 08, 2012)

The report was made 12 minutes ago, at 15:53 UTC. The wind was blowing at a speed of 5,1 meters per second (11,5 miles per hour) from north (010°). The atmospheric pressure was 1014 hPa (29.95 inHg). The relative humidity was 81,5 %. There were a few clouds at a height of 305 meters (1000 feet), scattered clouds at a height of 1524 meters (5000 feet), and broken clouds at a height of 4572 meters (15000 feet). The overall visibility was 16,1 kilometres (10.0 miles).

9 °C
48 °F

I will bet Yonnie has a lot to say about that pier in Homer! Hope that they were able to get transportation in to town and did not have to walk it.

Later on today Amsterdam will be cruising around Hubbard Glacier. From previous observations I believe it’s very spectacular.

Hubbard Glacier was reached passed my bedtime last night.

Below some pictures from of the internet.

Fantastic coverage, Norman. And thanks to Char and others for their insight as well. We're lucky to have a place like Alaska to cruise to - the last great frontier (in the US).

What a sight to see all those ships in port at the same time. Thanks for the vid grabs, Norman! great job!