“Seaside Farms,” said the sign right before we turned into the bumpy driveway. Everyone was excited to be at a new campsite and even more excited to be in Homer.
      The first thing everyone did was run out into the open field and start a huge “Ring Around the Rosy” circle. Adults took pictures as we tried to run around in a circle and not trip. We had to eventually go and set up tents before we could explore any of the farm.
      Groups set off in different directions to explore different areas. Some went to visit the horses, chickens, bunny (who thinks he is a chicken), and goose (who thinks he is a horse). Others went off to go and explore the beach area and pick up a few shells or rocks. The beach was lovely and seemed so clean. Some people said, though, that along their walk they came across a dead sea otter washed up onto the shore.
      A group of people found a little fort-like area that they proclaimed as their own. Austin Robinson even went as far as naming the fort area “The Point”. Nothing seemed to be able to ruin the day.
      Everywhere you looked, you could see people enjoying themselves on the swings or trying to use the outhouse with only half a door that the junior leaders said you had to try. Others were out looking at the scenery from the top of the ravine, or just talking to everyone and anyone. Some people even got in line to use the phone to give their parents a long-awaited phone call. Everyone seemed to be in a good mood since the farm was so peaceful and you felt right at home.
      To top off the beautiful day, we enjoyed an awesome dinner of grilled salmon and hash browns. Then people just spent their time doing whatever they felt like. Some continued to explore, others passed a Frisbee back and forth, while still others played cards at the pavilion.
      Reluctantly we left to take scenic pictures and van pictures. We came back just in time to get ready for bed and have our first hug time at Seaside Farms.
      Everyone crawled into their sleeping bags and got comfortable. All of the participants could see why Homer was one of the best places to stay, and couldn’t wait to see more of the town the next day.

      Today was another traveling day. We had a quick meeting with Ishtar before we started off to Homer; Homer, Alaska, not Homer, Michigan. As we were driving a black bear crossed the road right in front of the Gwyn van. We stopped for lunch in Soldoltna where we could have lunch from the food van or go to the mall. After lunch we continued our way to Homer.
      We next stopped at the Russian Orthodox Church in Soldoltna. It was a very small church. There was a beautiful view from the side of the church. They had their own cemetery there. All the graves had a cross with three parts running across them. Two of them were parallel to the ground and one that was at an angle. The crosses all had flowers hanging on them; they were really picturesque. There were so many people that were buried there.
      We continued to drive to Homer which wasn’t too far away. When we arrived in Homer, we stopped off the road to take pictures of the Homer Spit; it was really beautiful. We made our way to Seaside Farms, the place where we would be staying the next four nights. Seaside Farms is owned by Mossy Kilcher, the aunt of Jewel Kilcher, the singer. We pulled in the driveway and then we all knew why all the junior leaders like Homer so much. It is so beautiful; there are so many different kinds of animals and everything is very undeveloped. Most things here are not very modern which makes it so much more special.
      When we got there, we all ran out of the vans and into an open field where we all played Ring Around the Rosie. It was so much fun because everyone was laughing and getting along so well. We set up our tents in this huge open field where we didn’t have to be so close to the other tents like at the other campgrounds. Once we had our tents set up, we had time to go and do what ever we wanted until dinner. Some went down to the beach, some laid in the grass and talked with friends. Ashley Smith was doing henna on Hannah Richardson’s belly button, which is a temporary tattoo. We had salmon for dinner, which was really good. We had more time to do what we wanted to while dishes from dinner were being washed.
      Then all the vans went to this overlook on the side of the road where we could take more pictures of the spit. After spending a great deal of time taking an assortment of pictures, we went back to Seaside Farms and had hug time before going to bed. Moving from place to place is tiring at some times, but once we get to the new spot, we can start a new adventure.