The Price of Fur

DATELINE: Talkeetna, Alaska

Hampton. Holiday. Hilton. Hyatt.

Those names don't grace the hotels or inns in Talkeetna. 

Rather, Trapper John has his name on the best place to sleep.

Located down a gravel road from Talkeetna's main strip, awaits Trapper John's Cabin. 

Here rests a primitive cabin and outhouse.  Perfect for getting off the grid. 

After taking one look at Trapper John's, my mind raced back 22 summers to where I was in 1994. 

"Captain Scott" passed "Backsaw Ben's" cabin, along with "Buck Skinner's" cabin while driving Paddlewheel Excursions boats at Cedar Point. 

(Backsaw Ben & Jumping Jack circa 2009)

(Buck Skinner and family circa 2009)

After 45 laps around the island a day in 1994 & 1997, you start having conversations with yourself while piloting

the boat. 

"What does the *inside* of their home look like?"

"Do they sit at a dining room table to eat?"

"How often do they change their sheets on their bed?"

Now I know. 

The sleeping arrangement:

The decor:

The kitchen:

There was power. 

And a recent addition added indoor plumbing with a real bathroom. 

At night, we built a fire and made s'mores. 

And Sarah told ghost stories, followed by Scott's inappropriate ghost stories. 

Just like rounding the lagoon over and over and over and over, a stay at Trapper John's will not be forgotten. 

NEXT: Man vs. Food for breakfast.