The Moose is Loose in Soldotna

Best Bakery Ever!

To all of you Krispy Kreme connoisseurs and you Dunkin Donut divas...The Moose is Loose in Soldotna has you both beat -- hands down!  Now please don't get me wrong...I love a good chocolate covered glazed donut from KK when the "hot" light is on, and a blueberry or maple Dunkin donut just seems to melt in your mouth.  But when you've been deprived of both for more than a year, you really will drive 8 hours for the best donuts in the state!  And every bite will be worth it!

This past Saturday we loaded ourselves and the dog in the truck for the trek to Soldotna.  We weren't actually intending to wind up there, but it was only another 30 minutes or so from the Russian River, so we figured, "Why not?"  Michael had shared with us that grown men in his office weep and throw money at anyone who is headed in that direction -- all for a chance to purchase donuts or apple fritters from The Moose is Loose Bakery.

Dall Sheep at Beluga Point

The day started as many of our days have the past several weeks -- cold and rainy.  But we were on a mission to see bears at the Russian River, where coho salmon are still harvestable (well...if you count one per day as harvestable). At any rate, we did the three mile hike at the Russian River Trailhead last year; so we had decided to do something a bit different this time.  The Seward Highway that extends for some distance outside of Anchorage toward the Russian River was not nearly as heavily traveled as it was during the summer.  That made for a much less white-knuckled trip, and we were even able to capture some Dall sheep grazing at the Beluga Point overlook.  The weather didn't exactly clear, but is was cooperative; and it didn't dump any rain on us until we were homeward bound at the end of our adventure.

We reached the Russian River Campground without incident and decided to brave the boardwalk along the River.  We walked until the Russian River emptied into the Kenai River.  The boardwalk was built to save the natural banks of the river. Fishing is encouraged in the river, not from the banks, and there were still many anglers walking the rivers or in boats trying to land the biggest river monster.  Most of the leaves had fallen from the birch trees.  Although they didn't "crunch" under our feet, they were thick enough to create a sort of "whoosh" sound that echoed through the empty campground.

That "whoosh" sound!

Michael had his big bear gun "just in case," but the bears weren't interested in the salmon apocalypse that greeted us.  This is the place that all good salmon go to die!

Braving the Boardwalk
Russian River 2015

The Salmon Apocalypse

The Russian and Kenai Rivers Converge

Michael had been warned that the stench would reach "unbearable" levels -- yes, it's a terrible pun, but we'll keep it for kicks and giggles!  Boy,were his buddies right!  There were several times along the boardwalk that our gag reflexes were working overtime, and when we finally reached the convergence of the two rivers, we had to wade through -- yes, I said wade through -- scores of dead salmon to reach the water's edge.  I told Michael we didn't need his bear gun after all -- no bear in his right mind would come to get these nasty fish!!!  Ethan was intrigued by the decomposing flesh, the fact that seagulls picked out eyes first and left the rest to rot, and that the skins became gray and leathery when left to the elements.  Biology class at its finest!  Yuck!  Once the smell became too much for us, we decided to calm our churning bellies with DONUTS!

All the Fun, and None of the Fat!

And now we know why grown men weep and throw their money around!  The Moose is Loose Bakery is the tiniest of holes in the wall and stays nearly at capacity (or at least it did while we were there).  Before we even opened the door the aroma of fresh donuts and coffee slapped us in our faces and made our mouths water like Pavlov's dogs!  We stepped into the main lobby area, which features a "to-go" line that the regulars know about, and "another" side that tourists like us must use.  The tourist side features "the case" -- a lighted piece of heaven on earth -- featuring mini-mouth-watering-morsels to donuts the size of your own cranium!  We opted for donuts the size of our craniums! Pumpkin spiced, chocolate covered, maple covered, and an apple fritter. Then we sat in the back of the bakery and looked at all the moose memorabilia.  Not only do they showcase anything moose...they also sell anything and everything moose.  Moose pajamas that said, "Don't moose with me!" and men's boxer shorts that had moose on them and the phrase "Now this is natural gas!"  So Alaskan!  And we loved every bit of it!  I wanted to buy one of everything, but sadly, we are not independently wealthy yet...so, instead, we bought pumpkin donuts, chocolate covered donuts, and one maple bar to take home to Alex.

"The Case"
Moose is Loose Bakery 2015

We fought the sugar coma that followed by stopping at Tern Lake and hiking just a bit.  Then we off-roaded (an ill-conceived attempt at spotting a bear) on the Old Sterling Highway.  We didn't see any bears, but we did see salmon and some "funky looking duck-bird," as Ethan called it.  Another stop near Hope, AK, to walk on the old highway that has been converted into a foot bridge almost saw us bungee jumping (not really)!  But it did almost make us break into the donuts just so we could have a bit of "energy" for the remainder of the trip.

Tern Lake 2015

"Bungee Jumping" Near Hope, AK
Standing on Ye Ole Footbridge

It was the final stop at Tesoro outside of Girdwood that really nearly did us in with the donuts.  Most of you know that one of Ethan's favorite television programs is Alaska State Troopers.  And you further know that Trooper Howie Peterson is his favorite trooper.  Well...guess who was working the Seward Highway and was at the Tesoro station when we were?!  If you guessed anyone other than Trooper Peterson, you are wrong, and you should be ashamed to play guessing games ever again!  I would like to say that Ethan's dream of meeting Trooper Howie came true at the Tesoro gas station during our Loose Moose Soldotna run...but, alas...it was not to be.  Ethan threatened to throw our donuts at Trooper Peterson's car (because everyone knows policemen can be bribed with donuts). Michael and I protested loudly to that...I mean we don't have anything against Trooper Peterson, but he was not getting our donuts!  He could've had Alex's maple bar, but not the pumpkin spice or chocolate covered ones!

We headed into Girdwood to try to flag him down for a quick meet and greet -- with Ethan waffling in the backseat between throwing up and soiling himself if we were successful in our flag down attempt.  And just when we thought we had him cornered....he was saved from our super creeping family by a call about a yahoo driver on the Seward Highway.  But all was not completely lost...Ethan saw him briefly as he turned around and sped away.  So much drama!  Such was our Saturday adventure!

And now, with the donuts on our hips, and their memories fresh on our lips...we have decided that Soldotna has one of Alaska's greatest treasures...and that it has nothing to do with "real" wildlife or scenery!  We have also decided that as much as we LOVE those donuts...it's a good thing they are 8 hours away.  Any closer and our wedding weight loss program would definitely be compromised! We love you all enough that next time, we'll eat a donut for each of you!

Russian River 2015

"Whether therefore ye EAT or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."
I Corinthians 10:31