Alaska dream vacation

We spent our week at Sadie Cove exploring the area with kayaks and hiking the trails. Keith- the owner and builder- put in a trail to a place called the back valley. WOW! It's a remote alpine valley in the middle of nowhere. We were the only people there. No passing other tourists on the trail- just us- my family in the wilds of Alaska. What an experience! Randi- Keith's wife - cooked up sensational meals in the kitchen/dining cabin - how she puts out her meals in such a tiny kitchen I will never know, but she does and she does it with artistry. She was trained in New York years ago in continental cuisine. Man, what a good time we all had at the dinner table sharing tales of the day's adventures and hearing about Keith and Randi's adventures in Alaska. They have lived there for 30 years.

Quick Tips:

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Owner Keith Iverson, a Norwegian builder, has built wood cabins along the shore of Sadie Cove with a wharf over the water. It was built all by hand from local driftwood - unbelievable the amount of work involved - and the place is like something out of Swiss Family Robinson with luxury and service. Can’t say enough nice things about this place. We had the nicest time together as a family that I think we have ever had, and we thank Keith and Randi for keeping everything spotlessly clean and well organized. The cabins are heated with propane heaters and wood fires. The beds are comfortable plus some. We slept like babies and in the morning the bald eagles woke us up. Randi feeds the eagles on the beach every morning with the scraps from the night before. It is such a trip to see these huge birds circling right at eye level first thing in the morning.

Best Things Nearby:
Nearby- Before we got to the lodge, we stayed at Land's End Resort (907/235-2500)in Homer, which is a really nice place. They have a restaurant and the best part is their location - right at the end of the Homer spit where the views of Kachemak Bay are stupendous. Our rooms were comfortable and clean, the service was prompt and friendly, and there were Alaskan photos on the walls that told the story of Homer town. All in all, I would stay there again. There is a ton of stuff to see on the "spit" and it is a great place to shop. The Pratt Museum in Homer town is well worth a visit. It is small, but what a lot of displays they have.

After visiting the lodge, we came back to Homer and spent some time out of town. We went horseback riding with Trail's End Adventures and had a very nice day with the local cowboy - character Mark Marette. Next time we go back to Homer, we will go on an overnight trail ride to some more remote areas. His phone is 907/235-6393.

Best Things About the Resort:
The best things - There are so many and I have already written so much in other categories. But O.K.
The cabins built by hand from local driftwood.
The food.
The food.
The food.
The quiet. They only take eight guests at a time.
The surroundings - complete wilderness with a few scattered summer cabins nearby. The lodge is inside the State Park.
The people. The owners, the crew, and the guides.

Resort Experience:
It's like being in heaven. The cabins are super-comfortable and fit right into the hillside. We felt like the Robinson Crusoe family with first-class luxury and service. We felt so welcome and we had so much fun!

• Unit Type: Other
• Activities: Excellent
• Amenities: Very Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Very Good
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent

You must be a guest of the lodge to eat there, but WOW, is it worth it. They only take eight guests at any time and the food is wonderful. Lots of freshly caught seafood perfectly prepared and presented by the lodge owner, Randi Iverson.

I just couldn't resist putting this lodge under the heading "Natural Wonders." It is one! Keith has built a place out of DRIFTWOOD! He has eight cabins, which consist of five guest cabins, a community lodge and entertainment building, a kitchen/dining lodge, and a log cabin sauna that is as pretty as any cabin I have ever seen. The kids had a great time scouring the beaches for treasures and John and I enjoyed each other’s company so much. It was like a second honeymoon, except that we brought the kids along. If you ever get the chance to go to Alaska, don't miss this fabulous place. If you can't have a good time there, you need to have your head examined.