Day 38
Friday, July 15
Halibut Cove


For our last "free day," we decided to take a short cruise to Halibut Cove. Halibut Cove is located on an island about a 1 hour across the Cook Inlet from Homer. The inlet at this point, known as Kachamac Bay, is 18 miles long, 14 miles wide, and up to 500 ft. deep.

 
Ten members of our caravan group boarded the Danny J around noon for the short ride to the island. On the way we went by Gull Island,
 
a large rock island inhabited by several different varieties of gulls, puffins, and other seabirds. The captain of the Danny J told us about many of the different breeds of birds.
 

The Puffin can dive up to 300 ft. deep in pursuit of fish. The birds inhabit and raise their young on the rock out=cropings because there are no predators living on the island. The only predator they fear here is the occasional bald eagle that comes to the island.

On the way we also saw two sea otters,

 

two puffins, and a large flock of sea birds out in the water. The otters were doing the backstroke and paid little attention to us. The captain told us that they often almost reach the point of hibernation as they are floating by. One of them apparently woke up when we came near, as he sat up, looked at us and immediately dived under the water. The Puffins paid no attention as we slowly circled them. A large contingent of sea birds were lined up across the water apparently waiting for fish to come their way.

We arrived at Halibut Cove around 1:30 and took the ramp up to the restaurant. The story goes that the island on which Halibut Cove is located was purchased in 1942 by Clem Tillion. He paid $2000 for the 1700 acres. He married Diana and they had four children who they raised on the secluded island. Diana was an artist who was known for using the ink from the octopus to create prints. She established an art studio on the island and did her work there. Diana died a few years ago, but Clem, aged 86, still lives on the island. We met him on the boardwalk as he was riding his 3-wheeled bicycle. He told us a lot about the island.  
 
 

Their children have since grown, married and have homes on the island. One daughter owns the Danny J and brings loads of tourists to their island. Another daughter runs the only restaurant, The Salty, on the island.
The restaurant was a houseboat that they loaded on a barge and floated into the cove when the tide was at its highest. 

Then they built supports under the houseboat and floated the barge back out. Decks on both sides of the houseboat provide seating for the restaurant. Another daughter has a job overseeing medical doctors for the state of Alaska. She has a huge home here but only lives here part-time.

 

One son-in-law has become a fisherman. The day before we came he had the best catch of his career - 17,200 lbs of salmon. He sold the majority of his catch to a commercial fish market. They were cleaning about 25 of the salmon while we were there. The population of Halibut Cove is around 125 during the summer and shrinks to about 25 during the winter. The only way to get around is by bicycle, foot, or horseback - there are no roads, so there are no cars.
Wide boardwalks ring the cove and allow access to homes and boatdocks.
 

Most of the people who live here are either artists, fishermen, or temporary help in the restaurant. Everything they need has to be brought to the island by boat.

Halibut Cove is a very peaceful, serene place.