Visiting Friends in Homer, Alaska

While in Homer, we are able to contact Daniel Zatz, a UCSC Film and Video  graduate who Peter worked with during Dan's student days. Dan has since become an independent videographer producing footage for such clients as BBC and Discovery Channel. We meet up with Dan at the Homer Airport where he and his helicopter mechanic, Darcy (Yes - a woman helicopter mechanic. You gotta love Alaska.), are adjusting the blades to eliminate vibration.

Peter, Dan and Darcy meet at the helicopter

Hovering to test blade adjustment

Dan shoots most of his footage during the summers and then spends the long Alaskan winters cataloging and editing. He uses a special HD camera mounted on the helicopter. We are amazed to learn the camera cost much more than the helicopter.

Dan shows Peter his camera

High end video camera

Dan shows Peter his editing studio

After leaving the airport, we take the scenic route before meeting Dan at this home.

Homer Spit from Summit Road

At the Zatz home, we meet his wife Lisa and his son Eli. They have built a wonderful home with great views and organic forms... {sigh} Homer builders have more freedom without the stringent building codes of Santa Cruz County.

Eli demos his yo-yo in the garden

Staircase inside the Zatz home

Copper flames behind the wood burning stove

Each window afforts lovely views. We are especially captivated by their view of the Illiamna volcano, which can cause havoc with air transportation as well as the close by Redoubt volcano. In fact Alaska is a vulcanologist dream with many to study.

Mount Illiamna from the Zatz home

Mount Illiamna letting off some steam

After visiting awhile, we all decide to take advantage of the nice weather by hiking down to a nearby beach.

Beach view to the south

and to the north.

We have a great time at the beach. Thank you Dan, Lisa, and Eli for sharing your Sunday with us. We hope to see you in Corralitos sometime soon.

Eli scales a large boulder - next on to Denali

Idyllic Sunday in Homer at the beach