Near Tok, AK and need a place to stay that's welcoming, beautiful, filled with love and warmth and friendship and delicious breakfast? At mile 1318.5 on the Al-Can Highway you'll see a black and red mailbox and red arrows pointing the way down a dirt road to the single best place to stay in all of Alaska (in my opinion anyway) - The Off The Road House International Friendship House B & B and Gallery.
Helga Wagenleiter keeps a beautiful home in a beautiful place and makes the best Dutch Babies and Muselix I've ever had. She also makes amazing stained glass art which permeates the very walls and windows of the Off The Road House.
Not only is Helga a master of the kitchen and her glass, but she is also a fount of knowledge about the land around her and her friends in the community. I'm a mushroom fiend and Helga kows all the best species and where to find them (look for the white cauliflowery ones). She teaches art locally and readily shares her vast knowledge of the history of the native people.
I feel unimaginably blessed to know Helga and to have stayed at her home for a week three years in a row. I missed last year because I was in the Southeast, but sincerely hope to visit again soon.
If you do have the good luck to visit Helga, please tell her Sarah from St. Louis sends her love!
http://www.offtheroadhouse.com/