Monday, July 26, 2021
Nothing quite like a nice hot shower and an ice cream breakfast to get you going for the day. Philosophers say life is an ice cream, learn to enjoy it before it melts. After a brief goodbye to Curt and Renee, we headed south to Soldotna.
Incredible weather days are a rarity for me in Alaska. When they arrive, you must take advantage of them. Bluebird skies, cloud kissed mountains and brilliant sunlight always make for fabulous photos. On a scale of 1 to 10, today was a fairy tale! The drive along Turnagain Arm was absolutely stunning, so we stopped as much as time allowed.
No words can adequately describe the scenery along the Sterling Highway. Majestic mountains, sparkling lakes, glacier-fed streams, and wild flowers (including the eye popping fireweed) were everywhere. We stopped for a number of photos as well as a few easy geocaches.
One stop on my ever growing bucket list was a trail leading to the strikingly turquoise Kenai River. Luck was with us as we located the trail head fairly easily. Here are GPS coordinates for those wanting to follow in our footsteps - N 60 29.469 W 149 45.102. Terry went ahead of me on the trail to scout out the easiest access. As I broke through the brush I wasn't fully prepared for what I was about to see. I kid you not - this river had one of the absolute bluest waters in Alaska. To see the photos and to stand in the midst of it are two entirely different things. Wow! Just wow! As I had recently completed a third successful battle with cancer I spent several moments thanking God for getting me here. We took lots of photos and several videos, and I promised myself to return some day.
Mary Krull first contacted me in 2017 regarding ex-Alaska Railroad gallery car #602 which she had purchased and was converting into a coffee house. I was able to provide her with numerous photographs and a complete history. Little did I know, this effort would lead to a wonderful friendship.
Mary has a fire in her belly. She has good business sense, a passionate work ethic, a positive attitude and a love of trains. What began as a coffee house expanded into an amazing railroad mecca. Mary attached a replica of a depot to #602. Inside the depot is Frames and Things, which is the Kenai Peninsula’s largest picture framing store. They also feature Alaskan artwork, puzzles, gifts and, intriguingly enough, Glass Float (found on Alaskan beaches). Whistle Hill was born. Mary added waffles to 602's menu. These aren't ordinary waffles, but sweet and savory waffles on steroids.
Ah, but that wasn't enough. Mary wanted more. So she crafted the Addie Camp Dining Car eatery and wine bar. This two-phase project began with the purchase of the 1913 railcar Addie Camp. After shipping it from the Black Hills Central Railroad, Mary began the section phase of the project. She built an attached kitchen and bar with second floor seating constructed. Terry and I paid Mary a visit on June 20, 2018 while Addie Camp was still under construction.
Ah, but that wasn't enough. Mary obtained the last remaining F7A in Alaska and placed it beside the restaurant with the intention of adding pavilion seating. Her husband Henry jumped into the foray by adding on Fresh365, a hydroponic farm providing a year round source of fresh romaine lettuce, premium leaf lettuce, kale, spinach, basil, mint, dill, chive, cilantro and thyme for the restaurant and surrounding community.
Ah, but that wasn't enough. On October 30th (after our visit) Whistle Hill took delivery of box car 1559E (nee 10635). This will be converted into a reservable guest suite for a couple or family of four. Next, Henry and Mary purchased RDC #701. It is still in Seward, but should be moved on site sometime in 2022. Plans for it are still in the works.
We arrived at Whistle Hill at 2:00 p.m. Mary greeted us warmly and invited us to hop aboard "her train". Mary was a charming host, and her excitement was truly contagious. Our 2018 Addie Camp tour had been limited as it was still under construction, so it was exciting to be able to see the finished product. The refurbishment of the Addie Camp rail car was just jaw dropping.
Mary explained Addie Camp is very special for the Krulls as their family rode in it. It still has the original flooring. Some of the stained glass is original while some was replaced by a Stained Glass Artisan. The work was so meticulously fashioned that no one (except the artist and Mary) can tell the difference.
The flooring for the beer and wine bar were hand picked from a defunct cannery. The chandelier above the bar are telegraph insulators on a wagon wheel. Terry and I both commented on the trunk which serves as the hostess stand and were surprised to discover it belong to Mary's grandfather. How fun! The bison hanging on the wall adds to the South Dakota theme. The second story dining space uses theater lights and on the walls was framed sheet music with "Mary" titles. To add to the fun, there's an outdoor patio and second story deck for patrons to enjoy those lovely summer days.
Patrons can charge their Teslas for free using the destination charger. Mary will soon replace these with fast super chargers.
Henry was kind enough to provide us with a personal tour of fresh365, Soldotna’s first year-round hydroponic farm. This custom-built insulated container provides locally-grown greens and herbs to Addie Camp as well as public retail and restaurant wholesale. The business operates with vertical racks, growing produce and herbs hydroponically inside a computer-controlled environment. These healthy fresh products include kale, arugula, chard, lettuces, parsley, chives, dill, basil, thyme, peppermint and rosemary.
During the tour we met Dustin who is fresh365's full time farmer and maintenance man. Henry received his initial training in Canada, but Dustin received his training from Henry. The initial process starts with trays of peat plugs. The hydroponic farmer then introduces a seed into each plug. They allow plants to get a good start before hanging in the racks. Once in the racks water and liquid nutrients trickles down. Everything that runs off is re-used. On average, the whole farm uses 10-12 gallons of water per week.
The grow lights are left on 16 hours per day. The electricity cost is typically $2,500 per month. Whistle Hill is currently looking into solar power. Yes, solar power! You are probably thinking what I am thinking. Henry and Mary never shift into neutral. They are always thinking, vibrating, moving forward.
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| fresh365 a year-round hydroponic farm | Inside fresh365 | Hydroponic LED grow lights |
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| Order form | Henry showing both stages of trays | Hydroponic growing racks |
Henry and Mary are ever the accommodating hosts. After our tour they invited us to their Kenai riverside home to spend the night. Mary needed to finish some business first so we took several detours on our way to her home. We hunted for several geocaches and Terry checked out a local wood carving business.
Henry and Mary live in a strikingly beautiful house that combines the modern with the rustic. You can find more information on their home in this nicely written article. Henry and Mary's dinner was really putting on the Ritz with a tasty appetizer bar, deep fried Halibut (yum!), salad made with greens from fresh365 and bow tie pasta with fresh365 basil.
Terry is always the romantic and during dinner she asked how Henry and Mary met. Why in a restaurant, of course! They married in a California ski lodge and had quite the story to go with it. They also shared their future plans for box car 1559E and RDC #701. They are considering #600 at Lowell Point, but probably won't pursue it as they already have #602. Mary longs for a caboose, but hasn't had any luck so far.
