Yukon Don's Bed & Breakfast
Wasilla, Alaska

One hour north of Anchorage in the Matanuska Valley is a B&B touted as "Alaska's Most Acclaimed" Inn. We could hardly wait to meet "Yukon" Don Tanner and stay at his great place. His motto is "If you don't know Alaska......know someone that does", and with Don we had someone who IS Alaska. He had obtained his "Yukon" name by commanding the first expedition to use a jet-powered boat to travel the 2,000-mile Yukon River from end to end.

When we arrived, Don was at his "day job" as the line supervisor for the electrical co-op and Beverly had just run to the store. So, we took photos around the Inn and before long Beverly, Don's wife, was taking us on the grand tour. She, too, is an Alaskan through and through. She told us stories of hunting wolves, fishing and camping.

Don arrived and Beverly called out for us to bring the cameras and join them in the garage. There, we met the icon himself, cutting claws off bear paws. With a big smile, he greeted us and made us feel at home right away. He gave us some frozen bear sausage (which Cindy says she will be more than happy to share with Dad Hinkle when we hit South Carolina again!) and also gave her a bear claw as a memento.

We settled into our room and headed off to dinner where Beverly had suggested, the Mat-Su Resort. Dinner was fabulous, as we dined at a window table watching folks sail and water ski on the lake before us. We returned to the B&B and enjoyed taking pictures in the 360-degree viewing room up the spiral staircase at the very top of the inn, before joining Don & Beverly in the 10,000-sq. ft. Alaska Room.

This room houses his life stories and other memorabilia of his treks across Alaska and beyond. He showed us rare bear claw necklaces and walking sticks he had made himself. We munched on popcorn and visited with some of the other guests. One was even a fellow employee of mine....13 years earlier in Nevada (small world!). But, all were enthused with Don's stories of his Alaskan exploits.

The Inn had originally been a dairy farm, but with Don's expertise over the past 15 years, has become a truly fascinating inn. Each of the 5 guest rooms has a theme, there is an exercise room and sauna in addition to the Alaska Room.

We were given the Matanuska Suite. It has a queen bed, day bed, coffee table, bed lamps, a bar with stools, a refrigerator, sink, microwave, stereo, alarm clock and private bath......and even a real "live" bear rug hanging on the wall! The decor included early farm implements, even an old milker. The view of the mountains was spectacular.

The next morning, we had a self-serve breakfast bar featuring homemade muffins, bagels and cream cheese, yogurt, hot/cold cereals, fruit, juices, gourmet coffee, teas and Alaska honey and jams.

Beverly and Don know this area well and both can help you plan a great day or days of events from Fairbanks to Anchorage and beyond, so whatever you have planned, check out their Website, make your reservations and be sure to tell them that Mike & CIndy sent you their way!