Alaska Garden Gate B&B and Cottages
Palmer, AK
July 16-23rd, 2016
When the Red Chair first arrived at the Alaska Garden Gate B&B in beautiful Palmer, Alaska, it took in a brilliant sunset's alpenglow against the nearby mountains. Alpenglow is one of the great and fleeting gifts of being in Alaska in the fall (and spring). The Alaska Garden Gate B&B is situated with mountains on three sides, but the most grand is the tallest in the valley, Pioneer Peak (6398 ft). Beyond it, the Chugach Range encircles the Knik Glacier, which is laid out in extraordinary fashion, right in the Alaska Garden Gate’s viewshed. Pioneer Peak is to the southeast, which means when the fall sun is setting, its low rays light up the mountains first in bright fascia and apricot, turning next to magenta then deep violet before the light leaves and turns to dusk. The Red Chair was captivated! It was quite a show, each night. Besides the incredible views the Red Chair was in love with the peace and quiet it found here. With it being so easy to sleep in here, Red found it tough to get up. However Red found motivation each morning to wake up thanks to the spectacular breakfasts Red knew would be waiting in the breakfast hall each morning. Talk about a wonderful respite from the world!
Ocean Bluff Bed & Breakfast
Kasilof, AK
June 1st - 8th, 2016
The Red Chair's visit to the Kenai Peninsula started with a trip from the Turnagain Arm area, with its gorgeous mountains, traveling down the only highway to the Ocean Bluff Bed and Breakfast located in between the town of Soldotna and Homer. Although Red arrived late in the day in order to experience the sunset in all of its glory, Red had to wait until 11pm for the sun to actually set! While waiting for sunset the Red Chair enjoyed the views of Mt. Redoubt and the other two active volcanoes on the other side of Cook Inlet. It was a spectacular view one could enjoy from the comfort of the Ocean Bluff Bed and Breakfast. Mt. Redoubt was unfortunately not steaming that first night but as soon as Red was up in the morning, Red caught it steaming up a storm! What a cool sight to see! Throughout the week the Red Chair was able to do some local fishing, combed the beach for seashells, dug for clams at Clam Gulch and hiked all over! While relaxing Red noticed the nesting Bald Eagles that make their homes in the surrounding trees on the Ocean Bluff property. The innkeepers also explained that in the springtime it is very common to see moose and their young moseying around the backyard or watching a dog sled team training on the beach. What a peaceful respite the Red Chair had here, it sure cannot wait to come back!
Camai Bed & Breakfast
Anchorage, AK
May 14th - 21st, 2016
The Red Chair spent its second week in Anchorage with Craig and Caroline at Camai Bed and Breakfast. On a sunny Sunday afternoon Innkeeper Caroline took Red for a walk on the Chester Creek Trail nearby to the Camai Bed and Breakfast. It is hard to believe the trail is actually in the city! Red was watching for moose as there are many that live in these woods, as well as many other species of wildlife. After crossing several of Chester Creek's bridges Red grew tired and decided to return home. No wildlife was seen, just a few dogs and their owners headed to the nearby dog park. This part of the trail is used for the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Dog Sled Race to Nome which happens in early March. The Chester Creek Multi-use trail extends all the way to downtown following the creek. It is all very bucolic and gives the sense of being in the wilderness. Another use of this trail is for marathons and half-marathons. The races include the Trent-Waldron Glacier Half-Marathon, Mayor's Marathon and Half Marathon, and the Big Wild Life Races all held in the summer. In the winter, when there is enough snow, x-country skiers do a race called the Tour of Anchorage. Maybe Red will come back and attempt it! After a brief rest in Camai's garden, the innkeepers drove Red to West Chester Lagoon, which is about six miles away if they had taken the trail. Read all about Red's day at the West Chester Lagoon here. After returning back to the Camai Bed and Breakfast, Red spent a long time in the hot tub and admiring the stunning views from where it sat. What a special and peaceful place to stay!
Jarvi Homestay Bed & Breakfast
Anchorage, AK
May 7th -1 4th, 2016
Throughout this entire journey our beloved Red Chair has raised smiles from everyone who sees it being photographed out and about, Anchorage was no exception! When the Red Chair arrived at the Jarvi Homestay Bed and Breakfast in Anchorage, Alaska at the end of National Tourism and Travel Week Innkeeper Mary made sure Red was fully immersed in the festivities. Red was a guest of honor at the bureau's Frontline Trade Show that was held to update the workforce just before the Anchorage tourism season takes off and B&B's are often a highlight. Besides being a wonderful spokesperson for Bed and Breakfasts, the Red Chair spent all of its downtime exploring the beautiful city of Anchorage and relaxing at the Jarvi Homestay. The Jarvi Homestay Bed and Breakfast was created to celebrate life and health by providing a relaxing home style environment in keeping with a green earth outlook. It is calm, quiet and offers convenience and comfort, with stunning ocean views sitting just south of downtown Anchorage. This way you can be close to downtown and the sites yet near to the waters of Cook Inlet where you can enjoy the peace of a quiet neighborhood. Just thinking back to Red's stay here is so relaxing.... It was a lovely week and the Red Chair cannot wait to come back for a bit of R&R in the future.
Pictures to come soon!
Bear Lake Lodgings Bed & Breakfast
Seward, AK
April 30th - May 7th, 2016
Seward Alaska is the second most visited location in Alaska by tourists, and now the Red Chair can totally see why! This quaint small town has a long history in Alaska stretching back to the pre-Gold Rush years. The steamships would arrive into Resurrection Bay, an ice free port year-round, with gold miners, trappers, merchants and more looking to make their fortune in Alaska. Just a few miles outside of downtown Seward the Red Chair discovered Bear Lake Lodgings Bed and Breakfast nestled on the shores of a forested alpine lake surrounded by a dramatic backdrop. Bear Lake Lodgings Bed and Breakfast provided amazing comfort and style as well as a delicious hearty breakfast each morning! With so much to do and so little time to do it in the Red Chair got right to work exploring the most stunning and exciting places nearby. Red headed to the marine and glacier world of Kenai Fjords National Park on the Kenai Fjords Tour Boat, where Red got a chance to play captain and take the helm (while docked of course). These boat tours offer a wide variety of tours and an opportunity to see many different whales, water and land fowl, sea lions and sea otters, dog sledding, calving glaciers from the tidewater glaciers and views of many piedmont glaciers. Red also explored the Kenjai Fjords National Park on foot including a stop at the Exit Glacier Visitor Center. Exit Glacier offers all abilities the opportunity to view a glacier up close - including President Obama who visited in the Fall of 2015. From hiking, fishing, skiing, hunting, trapping, birding, biking, boating, kayaking, winter motorized sports, remote camping, flying and more, if you love being outside, Seward is a great spot for you! Red visited the Dog Sled Monument and learned all about the Seavey Family, a famous family of dog mushers. Red enjoyed sea kayaking in Resurrection Bay as well as canoeing on Bear Lake where there's a chance you could spot eagles, bears, moose, loons and many other birds. Red also visited the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center to learn more about the research facility as well as visit with the resident creatures such as the sea lions! Wandering around the harbor in Seward Red discovered many fantastic places to shop, eat and spots to view all of the different boats that reside in the harbor. Seward was so much fun and the innkeepers of Bear Lake Lodgings made sure our Red Chair had the time of its life!
