Homer, AK

Our day began with a ride in a taxi that inspired me. As we often do, we strike up a conversation with the driver; simple things like, how long have you lived here, where did you live before that, have you always driven taxi, and so on. Today's driver, Tsering Lodoe has lived in Anchorage for over 24 years. He doesn't just drive taxi; he works in Deadhorse at Prudhoe Bay. He works 13 hour shifts, 3 weeks on and 2 weeks off. During his 2 weeks off, he returns home to his wife and 2 children and drives taxi from 5 AM until 5 PM. He works hard in order to care for his family. His family is greater than his wife and 2 children; it includes his sisters and his niece and nephew and his mother back home in India; He pays for college for his niece and nephew in order for them to have a better life than he has had and there is no retirement for his mother in India; as he said, he is his mother's retirement. Tsering feels blessed to be here working to care for his family but dreams of a day when he can return to India. It is amazing how our simplest conversations have become moments of inspiration. Thank you Tsering!

With that, Tsering dropped me off to pick up my bike and be on our way; to be inspired by, or to perhaps, inspire others

We drove out of Anchorage on Alaska Highway 1, the Seward Highway, heading down all the way on the Kenai Peninsula. The Seward Highway follows Knik Arm and Turnagain Arm and Cook Inlet. Cook Inlet is part of The Gulf of Alaska which is part of the Pacific Ocean. Looking across Cook Inlet, We catch a first ever glimpse of a glacier, Portage Glacier which is centered in the valley of the two mountains in the photo.

As we drive past Cook Inlet, the mud flats of Turnagain Arm lie between us and the glacier. These mudflats are silt that has been ground up by glaciers and do not support much life form. The mudflats are akin to quicksand. It is advised that you not walk near it. Didn't even have to warn me, I wasn't even tempted.

We are then welcomed to the beautiful Kenai Peninsula.

Almost immediately upon our welcome to the Kenai, the spectacular scenery rises up greeting us.

As we drive further down the Kenai, we pull off at a lookout overlooking Cook Inlet. The water is about 300 feet below our vantage point. You can see boats, enjoying a sun soaked day, traveling in the water.

We are then welcomed to Homer, AK, our destination for the evening.

I believe you can see we are descending closer to the Inlet as the mountains tower above.

As we look out beyond Coal Point, the point in approximately the center of the photo, you lay eyes upon two additional glaciers in the valleys of the mountains.

Another magnificent day!

Till Tomorrow!