"Absurdly Quaint"

ABSURDLY QUAINT. Our travel Bible on many a trip has been of the Lonely Planet variety. The latest Alaska version served us well on our drive up from Oregon, and has continued to provide great insight as we explore our diverse and quirky state. Last week Kim's college friend Anna and her family from California joined Team Leslie for some fun in Homer and across Kachemak Bay in a sweet destination called Halibut Cove... Lonely Planet describes Halibut Cove as "absurdly quaint;" a funny description before first view but upon cruising into the narrows on our water taxi, it became incredibly clear. A town only accessible by water or air, Halibut Cove has no official roads and is instead explored via sea-side boardwalks connecting the single restaurant, the single coffee shop, the several art galleries, and the numerous private cabins sprinkled on a small island at the base of white capped mountains. We used our legs and a two (sometimes three) person kayak to peruse the scene for a few days. Quaint doesn't quite capture it. But absurdly quaint hits the sea-sprayed nail on its rusty head!

Lauren (age 5 - born on Dec 2nd), Riley (just about 3) and Indigo (age 5 - born on Dec 2nd) on the water taxi

The Coffee Shop

J paddles the Birthday Twins to dinner at the Saltry

Outdoor dining on the fresh catch of the day

Tide pool cuties

Lauren and Indigo spy a sea star

And a moose coming to breakfast!

Anna checks out the arch

The island beach - complete with otters, urchins and eagles

Ironically, our return from this quintessential escape was to rain, mosquitoes, and a broken laundry machine at Chez Leslie; all of which lead to our farewell to Anna and Co. at the Kenai laundromat while chomping on Burger Bus fare... the complete AK experience for sure.

GATES OF THE ARCTIC. Next up? Definitely our most remote and crazy Alaska Adventure yet... A drive up north of Fairbanks onto the famed Haul Road (if you're looking on a map, the Dalton Highway) to catch a chartered flight to the North Fork of the Koyukuk River for a 7-ish day back-country hiking, paddling and camping trip with a group of friends from near and far. Named for the two dramatic peaks where we'll land, Boreal and Frigid Crags, Gates of the Arctic National Park boasts no roads nor trails and is truly a massive chunk of wild, wild, wilderness above the Arctic Circle. The sun will never set - I'll say that again - the sun will never set, we'll hike on land likely never touched by human feet, and we'll share the best stories with all of you, with our next post (I sound like a Fox promo! Clearly time for a break away from our media dramatic world!). Love to all. IJKL