Skilak Lake

 Aloha Friends and Family, 

I am going to take a moment to talk about where I am living and working this summer.  I am currently living at the Kenai Backcountry Lodge which is situated on the North Shore of Skilak Lake in the Kenai Peninsula.  The main lodge was built in the 1930’s by two gentlemen Hank Lucas and George Nelson.  They homesteaded here in the early 1900’s.  They both were big game hunters and guides in the Kenai Peninsula.  They also had a fox farm here on property because raising foxes was a lucrative employment at the time.   

Other than the main lodge there are 9 cabins on the property which are were our guests sleep during their stay.  There is also a shop, a bathhouse, a gazebo and all the staff housing.  Living on this property is an Alaskan take on glamping.  Our “tents” we live in as staff have a hard floor and roof but the walls are all canvas.  There is no running water or electricity into our tents.  The bathhouse is where we get to brush our teeth and shower.  Needless to say some mornings waking up in our tents can be cold.    

Skilak Lake is located in the Kenai Peninsula.  This lake was carved out by glaciers and to this day is filled up by the Skilak glacier.  The glacier feed water has a splendid truquoise color to it.  It is a large lake that is 2 miles at it’s widest point and 15 miles long.  The weather varies a lot on the lake.  Some days it is glass and today the lake has 3 foot waves with wind gust up to 20 knots.  Apparently it can have 10 foot waves some days.  There are many alcoves and bays to explore.  The beaches are made up of perfect rocks for skipping across the lake on the glass like days.  

The property had plenty of trees, moss and foliage giving a fairyland atmosphere.  All of our buildings and paths wind their way around wilderness as if we are visitors and do not want to intrude on Mother Nature here.  

Needless to say it is a magical place to stay and I am excited to see what this summer brings. 

Gillian