Alaska offers so many unique experiences, and every time I get to know another little nook of this huge state, I’m amazed! The other night we had a true “glamping” adventure (that’s glamorous camping) and it helped temporarily satisfy my craving for camping. My list of places to explore and overnight this summer is expanding rapidly, and I’m realizing the number of weekends in the season will be shorter than the number of places I want to go. Our time at the Johnson House cabin was perfect. We brought dinner from home and ate on the deck. The silence was incredible and so refreshing. A car occasionally passed by on the road far below, but mainly we heard birds, small aircraft flying up and down the valley, and a lot of blissful silence. The sun shone brightly on the Knik Glacier and the beautiful mountains around it. We fell asleep to the sound of owls hooting in the trees and woke up in the middle of the night to see northern lights in the sky right from our bed and from the porch. The "camping" side of this wonderful retreat is the lack of indoor plumbing. But the outhouse, just steps away, had a view that quite made up for it! :) It was also equipped with a heat lamp for when the weather is chilly. The kitchenette had an ingenious system for potable water that made cooking and drinking easy. From the fresh cinnamon rolls to the plush bathrobes, this cabin was full of special amenities and thoughtful details. The mini fridge was stocked with the makings of a hearty, mouthwatering breakfast. The world around us, still dominated by peaceful silence, made sounds of waking up. Birds happily chirped, helicopters and planes once again purred toward the glacier, and I contentedly sighed as I watched the sun first peek over the mountains and then overpower the sky until it boldly illuminated the beauty all around me. After our stomachs were full and our tastebuds were savoring the last lingering delights, we settled in for a game of rummy. Between rounds we pulled out the big Alaska atlas that was on the nightstand, finding new places to go (that list keeps getting longer, I tell you!) and looking at just a tiny portion of the thousands and thousands of trails and creeks in Alaska. We immediately felt a connection to this place, and I recommend it to anyone wanting a quiet, beautiful retreat without having to commit to fully camping! The beauty we experienced would only be magnified in summer, fall, or winter. The cabin is for two guests maximum, so it's perfect for couples. The owners were lovely and hospitable, and we felt completely welcome. It's also conveniently close to Anchorage (about an hour), so we will most certainly be back! You can find more information and make a reservation on their page here. (This isn't a "sponsored" post; I just loved this place and wanted to share it with the world!)
14 Comments
3/23/2015 05:25:09 am
That's so awesome, Mary Anne! What a treasure you found, and so close to Anchorage. When we come up this summer, maybe we can drive out and see it, along with my lot in Wasilla.
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Mary Anne Brady
3/23/2015 03:39:23 pm
Sounds great! And with this winter and spring we've been having, it may be a hot summer for Linda to enjoy! ;)
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Mary Anne Brady
3/23/2015 03:45:03 pm
Amanda, I'm pretty sure I heard about the cabin through a post you wrote on your blog! Thanks for visiting! I've checked out your blog a little bit and can't wait to see more.
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Heather
3/23/2015 09:59:44 am
So glad you got a weekend away together :) Looks cozy and beautiful! And northern lights to top it all off!
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Mary Anne Brady
3/23/2015 03:46:09 pm
Cozy and beautiful very accurately describe this place! You guys would love it. Now we just need to get you BOTH up here. :) Keep working on him. I know it will work!
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Mary Anne Brady
3/27/2015 03:19:10 pm
Thank you! It certainly was a treat. We loved the break from busy life back home.
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3/28/2015 04:49:27 am
We watch "Buying Alaska" all the time and are so jealous of the views. Being from Texas, I'm not sure I could endure the cold for long, but I'd love to visit some day.
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Mary Anne Brady
3/29/2015 08:15:36 am
The views are certainly incredible! I live in the "big city" of over 300,000, but even here we have views that are amazing. The cold is fun when the snow dumps down and outdoor activities are plentiful. This winter has been a dud in that sense, but we also haven't had to endure cold temps as much. It's frequently been warmer here than many of the other states this winter!
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walt
3/31/2015 10:33:06 am
Admittedly, I'm not much for the idea of "glamping" but this spot looks beautiful. Kind of nice to know that little get-aways like this are out there near the last frontier!
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Mary Anne Brady
4/1/2015 03:22:29 am
Walt, there are indeed a good number of places like this in Alaska! I think if I were just a visitor to Alaska, staying at places like this would make a trip extra "local" and special. And as a resident, these places are perfect for little getaways!
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Mary Anne Brady
4/2/2015 06:35:38 am
Sarah, your son must have a fun job and get to see some pretty neat holiday spots! I agree that glamping is the best of both worlds. It helps "ease" people in to the idea of camping if they aren't crazy about sleeping in a tent.
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Hello!I'm a mom of twins, published author, editor, amateur photographer, and nature enthusiast with an unlimited supply of curiosity. Come discover the little wonders I find during my everyday life in Alaska. Looking for a specific Alaskan place or thing? Check out the categories below!
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