Need help with Seward/Homer/Kenai
 

Thank you all for you trip report and lots of comments. I read through most of the messages under Alaska. You guys Rock!

I'm traveling on Aug 25th to ANC. I decided to stay 1 extra day and I'm looking for options and ideas from you all.

Aug 25th - Reach ANC/Overnite

26th - Native Heritage Center
Drive to Talkeetna(Air Taxi@7 PM)
Overnight at Healy

27th - 8.45 AM shuttle to Wonder Lake
- Overnight / Healy

28th - Drive to ANC ( Hatcher Pass)
- Overnight ANC

29th - PWS Cruise, Exit glacier
- Overnight Seward

30th - Alaska Sea Life Center
- Renown KFNP cruise
- Overnight Seward

31st - Original plan was driving back to ANC for evening flight, But, I will be flying back on Saturday night. So, I decided to include Homer. I want suggestions from you.

Sep 1st - 5.30 PM flight back home ( Raleigh )

I was thinking

31st - Sea Kayaking @ Seward
- Drive to Homer/ Overnight

Sep 1 - Homer to ANC ??

I was wondering is it ok to drive form Homer to ANC for 5.30 PM flight?

Thanks.

Hmm, doesn't seem like you'll have any time to actually do anything in Homer with that schedule. After kayaking in Seward and then driving to Homer, you won't get there until late afternoon or early evening, I'd guess.

Then, to make your 5:30pm flight the next day, you'll have to leave at the lastest by 11am to get to the airport a couple hours before your flight. (It's at least 4.5 hours to the airport from Homer - if you don't run into heavy traffic or accidents, which are entirely possible on the weekend.)

Homer itself is very pretty, but the part of the drive from about Sterling to just outside Homer is flat and not particularly scenic.

Maybe leave Seward the night of the 30th & do your sea kayaking or some other activity in Homer on the 31st, if you really want to include Homer.

Or skip Homer and drive as far as either Cooper Landing or Girdwood for your last night. Either area is very pretty and has some easy strolls (Winner Creek Trail in Girdwood, Russian River Falls in Cooper Landing). Or take the tram for great views in Gridwood, or do a scenic river float in Cooper Landing.

I agree, with that schedule you'll be wasting your time driving to Homer. Don't go unless you can spend a whole day there. The float on the Kenai River from Cooper Landing is also a good idea.

I thought Homer was gorgeous, but unless you out a night in Seward, don't attempt it.

I read few posts and everyone is recommending to visit Homer. So, I thought

30th -Drive to Homer after KFNP crusie

31st - Sea Kayaking and drive to Kenai and overnight at Kenai

1st - Drive to ANC for flight at 5.30 PM

How does this sound?

Thanks.

It's hectic yet doable, but I'd say stay in Homer and take off early for the flight home. Relax after the kayak trip and have a beer at the Salty Dawg.

You'll be going against the weekend traffic and on Saturday morning north from Homer isn't that bad.

Build in a bit of extra time and if you make good time, treat yourself to some Anchorage shopping or a nice long lunch before the flight.

Kenai is only about 1 1/2 hours closer to Anchorage and is pretty much a suburban kind of town. Homer has some spectacular scenery, Kenai doesn't. The restaurants are much better in Homer.

There are commuter planes from ANC to Homer and back. Just 50 min flight. www.flyera.com
Where's the will there's the way...
Frankly, you will be wasting your time & money to spend JUST ONE DAY in Homer.
It is a jem and the capital of SouthCentral Alaskan adventures.

Driving to Homer after the Renown trip is a good suggestion as well.