Issue #10
Oct / Nov 2007
Oct / Nov 2007
Page 1 of 3
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Winter Quarters
(October 2007)
(October 2007)
Lou says....
As fall was approaching, Val and I discussed where we should stay for the winter. We had talked to other RV'ers who planned on staying the winter in their RV's and we were considering that option. If we did this we would have to insulate around the bottom of the 5th wheel to keep the winter winds and cold from freezing the pipes and water tanks in the belly. The temperatures here could drop to -20 or so.
The other option was to find a place to rent for the winter. We looked in the newspapers and on bulletin boards around the grocery stores then called many of the ads and made visits to look at the properties. Most were one room cabins and very expensive. The other apartments we looked at were either in an undesirable location (we wanted a place with a scenic view) or were unfurnished. We wondered if we were being too selective.
As fall was approaching, Val and I discussed where we should stay for the winter. We had talked to other RV'ers who planned on staying the winter in their RV's and we were considering that option. If we did this we would have to insulate around the bottom of the 5th wheel to keep the winter winds and cold from freezing the pipes and water tanks in the belly. The temperatures here could drop to -20 or so.
The other option was to find a place to rent for the winter. We looked in the newspapers and on bulletin boards around the grocery stores then called many of the ads and made visits to look at the properties. Most were one room cabins and very expensive. The other apartments we looked at were either in an undesirable location (we wanted a place with a scenic view) or were unfurnished. We wondered if we were being too selective.
This is a pre-dawn view of the Chugach mountains from the window of our apartment in Wasilla. Pioneer Peak is on the left,
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Winter was fast aproaching as you can see from the picture. This was the first dusting of snow on our trailer and rental car (the story of the rental will come later) and we needed to make a decision soon. After talking to a propane company we found that the cost to heat the trailer for the winter plus the lot rental would run almost as much as renting an apartment.......but....we couldn't find and apartment we liked. What should we do?
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Val says......
We had been camping in Wasilla and I had been to a "mega-church" here which I didn't care for so decided to attend the Methodist Church even though it was about seven miles from our campsite. After the service a young mom asked if I was new to the area. I explained that we were visiting Alaska for a year and needed a place to stay for the month of November. She said she knew just who I should talk to and soon introduced me to Susan. Later in the week we looked at the apartment and signed the lease. It was just what we had been looking for!
Our one-bedroom furnished apartment is over the detached garage of a private residence on five acres just outside of Wasilla. It meets our needs perfectly with a bedroom, living room, full kitchen and bath. From the bedroom there is an awesome view of the Chugach Mountains, including Pioneer Peak. We have enjoyed the varying views as the light, clouds, and even wind, change the aspect of the mountains. Moose are regular visitors to the area, but we have only seen their tracks.
The property is situated on a ridge and down the hill is a forty acre hayfield that is part of "Farmland Forever". Further southeast, between here and the Chugach Mountains is the Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge and the Knik River. Many moose inhabit the Hay Flats although we have not been fortunate to see them very often. In the spring there will be Sandhill Cranes, Snow Geese, maybe swans, and other ducks and geese on the Hay Flats. In the panorama below you can see for yourself what I am describing.
We had been camping in Wasilla and I had been to a "mega-church" here which I didn't care for so decided to attend the Methodist Church even though it was about seven miles from our campsite. After the service a young mom asked if I was new to the area. I explained that we were visiting Alaska for a year and needed a place to stay for the month of November. She said she knew just who I should talk to and soon introduced me to Susan. Later in the week we looked at the apartment and signed the lease. It was just what we had been looking for!
Our one-bedroom furnished apartment is over the detached garage of a private residence on five acres just outside of Wasilla. It meets our needs perfectly with a bedroom, living room, full kitchen and bath. From the bedroom there is an awesome view of the Chugach Mountains, including Pioneer Peak. We have enjoyed the varying views as the light, clouds, and even wind, change the aspect of the mountains. Moose are regular visitors to the area, but we have only seen their tracks.
The property is situated on a ridge and down the hill is a forty acre hayfield that is part of "Farmland Forever". Further southeast, between here and the Chugach Mountains is the Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge and the Knik River. Many moose inhabit the Hay Flats although we have not been fortunate to see them very often. In the spring there will be Sandhill Cranes, Snow Geese, maybe swans, and other ducks and geese on the Hay Flats. In the panorama below you can see for yourself what I am describing.
