Thursday, October 25, 2007
Not Your Average Cabin In The Woods
Aspen Hollow - My cabin on the right
When I headed south toward Kasilof that Monday morning I could never have imagined the wonderful experience that awaited me at the cabin in the woods that I had rented from Evy and Paul Gebhardt (You may recognize Paul as the runner up to Lance in last year's Iditarod.). The slogan they use, "Not your average cabin in the woods" could not have been more fitting for what I found when I arrived.
I had a kitchenette, a cute little table and chairs, a sofa for stretching out on to watch my satellite TV. (I don't even have this at home!) I had a comfy lounger, a huge log bed with luxurious linens, and hot, hot water. Outside I had a small chest freezer (for the big catch) and a Weber kettle to cook it on.For me, however, the best feature of all was the doggie surround sound that eminated from the dog yard when Paul hooked up the team to go for a run or when it was feeding time. There is another Iditarod kennel a few driveways away that provided the full circle of sound. "Pick me, pick me!" "Over here, over here!" I love the dogs.
Evy and Paul's cabins are perfectly situated for day trips all over the Kenai. They are about 80 miles from Homer and very close to the Kasilof river and to Cook Inlet for some great fishing. Soldotna and the Kenai River are only about 40 miles away, and Kenai, with it's old town section, is only about 30 miles further. There is a beach a few miles further north where you can spend the day searching for agates. A day trip to Cooper Landing for some fishing in the Russian River or a trail ride at Alaska Horsemen is easily accomplished as well.
If you would rather just stay at "home" there are two hot tubs, a fire pit and wireless Internet available for your use. Perhaps you will get a visit from mama moose and her calf, or from one of Paul's pheasants as you sit and enjoy the evening light.
If you are looking for a real Alaskan experience at a not at all ordinary cabin in the woods you should check out Evy and Paul Gebhardt's cabins at Aspen Hollow. http://www.aspenhollowlodging.com/default.asp
