I spent a night at a fishing lodge.
It was bloody ace. I'm thinking of buying some waders!!!
Oh you lads at Drifters Lodge - not only did you teach me to make Smores (thanks Frank), I also ate the best fried chicken I've ever eaten (thanks again, Frank) and was made to feel like part of the family - all this in under 24 hours. THANK YOU.
Cooper Landing was the first stop on my week long tour of the Kenai Peninsula, which is just South of Anchorage. It took about 2 hours in my dodgy little car to get there, but was so warmly greeted by the Drifters Lodge guys, I felt immediately at home.
Bob and Frank run the lodge. I was in a room in the lodge part rather than a self contained cabin. I shared a bathroom and lounge with a few other rooms - it was fantastic, so clean and cosy and very very comfy.
Frank pointed out the sauna that sits on the lake, you can see the pic above, you can also see the view from the sauna - it is AMAZINGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG - Frank also happened to mention that some people like to go from sauna to the river (water temp just above freezing) for a dip then jump back in the sauna...and wondered if I was brave enough for that. Hmmmmmm. Don't ever dare Supergal!
After a walk down for hot chocolate and a cup of soup at the Kingfisher Roadhouse (which was absolutely spectacular, everything on the menu looked UNBELIEVABLY GOOD, and no doubt I'll be eating there again when I return for 5 nights at the Lodge next week!), back I went to try out the sauna!!
Swimming cozzie on, I was ready to run the gauntlet. I spent the first 15 mins in the sauna somewhat anxious...all I could think about was that freezing water I was about to wade into. Word had gotten around camp (by my big mouth) that I was going to take the plunge...and little did I know that although I had made sure no-one was around, a few guests were gathering while I was in the sauna...hmmmmmm.
Sweating like a pig, from fear rather than sauna heat I think, I decided it was time. I couldn't put it off any longer...I opened the door, freezing air rushed in...slid on my sandals then very very quickly walked up the stairs to the campfire where the stairs were that went down to the river... and there was my viewing audience....waiting. Down the stairs I went, pretty quickly actually, it was bloody freezing in the air, and I wasn't even in the water yet. At the bottom step, off went the shoes...feet went in then I knew I just had to do it. I waded out up to just above my waist...it wasn't as bad as I thought, although a few swear words were escaping....then I knew I had to dunk myself under otherwise it didn't count. So under I went.
I came up swearing.
Big big swear words.
But god it felt great. I felt bloody alive, that's for sure.
I dunked myself under again, and I'm afraid the second dunk is the worst!! Even more terrible words escaped! My legs started to tingle by this time, I knew it was time to either begin hypothermia or get my butt back into the sauna. I waded back in.
Proudly, I walked up the steps...audience mightily impressed...then very very quickly I managed to get myself back into that sauna! Ahhhhhhhhhh...warmth...I felt like a total LEGEND!
I repeated the dunk three more times that evening, then three more times in the morning to wake myself up! It's funny, cause I sort of got used to it, and by the second dunking the next morning, I didn't need to swear any more!
Now, apart from my wonderfully invigorating sauna/river lunacy, my other great Drifters Lodge adventure was Smores. I learnt to make Smores the real way.
Wonderful Frank had the Graham Crackers and marshmallows and I had walked to the shop for the Hershey's chocolate (apparently you HAVE to use Hersheys!). Frank then instructed me on the art of Smores, helped by the 3 Anchorage attorneys who had turned up at the campfire.
Step 1: Get your Graham Crackers out ready
Step 2: Open the chocolate and break a piece that fits the cracker
Step 3: Toast a marshmallow on the fire to your desired mushiness - I like a bit of charcoal! Apparently, the best marshmallow toasting forks are made from wire coathangers which Frank demonstrated beautifully
Step 4: This is the important step - when the marshmallow is at the desired mushiness, quickly place it on the chocolate which is on the cracker, place the other cracker on top, like a sandwich, then pull the toasting fork out of the marshmallow slowly....the hot marshmallow will melt the chocolate making one big gooey mess
Step 5: EAT IMMEDIATELY
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM....you can see above how it works, and the look on my face as I devour mine!
THANK YOU FRANK - you are a Smores Legend!
I enjoyed my stay so much at Drifters Lodge - see the team above - I've booked in for 5 nights next week...I believe I'm going to go and catch some trout!
Trout fishing, sauna/river dips and Smores....I'm never leaving Alaska!!!
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