The prevalent theory for the Spit's origin is that it is the remains of an ancient glacial moraine, constantly reshaped by ocean currents. Two archeological finds, one near the base and one about three-fourths of the way out, reveal that the Spit was used by humans long before written history. Fire-cracked rocks and shells indicate that people gathered clams and mussels here, cooking them over open fires. Pacific Eskimo are known to have lived on these shores thousands of years ago Dena'ina Athabascan Indians moved into Cook Inlet about 1,000 years ago. Russian explorers, trappers and traders came in the late 1700s, adding their culture and naming some of the geographic features. In the late 1800s, coal was mined here and became the early economic base, transported by railroad to ships at the end of the Homer Spit.
Remember this picture from yesterday? That's the Spit in the center of the picture.
At the beginning of the trail.
Just at the start of the trail we spied an eagle on a warning siren.
There were lots of people fishing from the Spit.
A fish-hook sculpture at the entrance to the Homer Small Boat Harbor.
Small Boat Harbor
Looking across Kachemak Bay to Kachemak State Park and Grewingk Glacier.
I guess you can't really see the glacier from here.
We stopped in the local Safeway where you can buy everything including...
octopus for bait - $3.99 each or herring sport pack for bait - $25.99 each. We passed.
Today's hike:
Length - 7.75 miles
Duration - 2 hours, 57 minutes
Elevation gain - 160 feet (16 floors on the Fitbit)
Alaska looks amazing. I wonder if we will ever get you back down to the lower 48 again.
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