I'm trying to finalize preparations for our trip toward the end of August. Itinerary is as follows: Anchorage (overnight following late arrival), Denali Cabins (1 night), Denali Backcountry Lodge (2 nights), Swiss-Alaska Inn, Talkeetna (1 night), Alyeska Prince Hotel, Girdwood, (1 night), Hotel Edgewater, Seward, (2 nights), Land's End Resort, Homer, (4 nights), Anchorage (overnight prior to early morning departure).

The only definite (and already scheduled) activity is the Alaska Heritage Tours "Mariah Captain's Choice Tour" of Kenai Fjords. One of us (not me) has a concern regarding the size of the vessel (43') we'll be on (due to her aversion to too much motion). I specifically chose this tour as it is 'tailored to wildlife activity' which is what we are both interested in seeing. We will be medicated (the patch), but I'm wondering if anyone has taken this tour and how much motion we're likely to encounter (although I realize it's impossible to hazard a guess as none of us knows what the specific day's weather will bring). The tour is limited to 22 guests, which is also appealing to me.

I am also looking for suggestions on a Halibut charter out of Homer. I will be doing this on my own and have never fished before. Does anyone know of an outfit that is extremely patient with novices? I'm probably looking to do a half day vs. a full day. I've always wanted to deep sea fish and in my 48 years, this is my first real opportunity and I'd like to make the most of it. If I can land a halibut in a half day tour, I'll be thrilled. If the consensus is I need the whole day to be sure I'll take home dinner, I'm willing to change my mind.

The main focus of this trip is to enjoy the natural beauty of Alaska (we have previously cruised and land toured), but this is our first interior visit. Are there any 1/2 day wildlife excursions out of Homer that anyone recommends? Since we are spending a whole day on the Kenai Fjords trip and I'll be doing 1/2 day (or more) fishing excursion, I'm thinking we may not have time to do much more than 1/2 day on the water in Homer. We are also very intersted in Moose and bear viewing (although we've pretty much shot our wad on lodgings, so a bear viewing such as Emerald Air is not in the cards this trip - I previously visited Neet's Bay on a cruise excursion and have fabulous pictures and memories of that trip).

Restaurant recommendations are always appreciated. This is turning out to be a trip I'll probably never be able to afford to repeat, so I want to make the most of it. Any and all suggestions are welcome and appreciated.

Read BayouGal's recommendations for halibut fishing. My suggestion still is the same, do not book in advance, as soon as you get to Homer, go to the Spit around 4:30 pm to see who is bringing the most and biggest halibut and whether returning fisher men and women look happy, then go and book your tour after asking many questions and including your concerns about being a newcomer with halibut fishing. You should check the weather forecast. From what I heard it is not fun to go when it rains or when everything is wet and fogged in. Have a great trip.

From Homer if you take a noon trip to Halibut Cove you will stop at the Gull Island before continuing to Halibut Cove. You can have a lunch at the restaurant there or bring your own. We always bring our lunch and go hiking from there for a couple of hours. Watch out for moose. As long as you keep talking , any moose will be aware of your presence. The same goes for bears although we never had an encounter with bear anywhere around Kachemak Bay.
http://www.alaska.org/homer/halibut-...TourHighlights

alaskafan21, if you do search here under Homer restaurants you will find many recommendations for places to eat. The same goes for Seward, Girdwood and Anchorage. It seems you are going be in Alaska when we are going to be visiting too.

I guess not because we are going in the end of August 2007

Hi, Alaskafan. Sounds like you have a great trip planned! Click on your screen name to read past threads you've started about your Alaskan vacation. You have lots of good advice there, too. Also, you can click on any of our screen names to read past threads we've started and/or responded to.

We used Capt Mike's halibut charter out of Homer, and we were all novices. We highly recommend him. Z has offered you great advice. As far as half/whole day, you probably will want a charter that will let you make that decision on the water. We thought half day would be enough, too, but we hated to leave due to the fun and jaw dropping views, so only sheer exhaustion and our captain was able to get us back on shore! ;-)

As far as Homer restaurants, you will want lodging that includes a grill so you can cook some of your fresh halibut. That was undoubtedly one the highlights for us . . . grilling that delicious fresh fish with the millon dollar views surrounding us!

Have a great vacation!