From Quarantine to Calling: How Alaska Became Our Summer Home

We didn’t plan on buying a cabin in Alaska. Honestly, we didn’t even plan on staying here. But life has a way of turning detours into destiny. What started as a cruise vacation turned into catching COVID, quarantining in Kenai, and eventually finding the place our souls now call home.

The Unexpected Stop in Kenai

Jason and I caught COVID on a cruise — not exactly the “Alaska experience” we had in mind. Quarantine rules forced us to stop in Kenai, a small town we’d never thought much about before. But while we were “stuck,” we started noticing things: a Home Depot, Safeway, Fred Meyer, and real restaurants. This wasn’t a tourist stop. It was a livable, thriving small town.

Looking for a Summer Home

We had already been searching for a second home. Something that wasn’t just a vacation spot but a place we could settle into for summers. Kenai suddenly made sense. It was remote enough to feel like Alaska, but with all the essentials we needed.

The Motorhome Adventure

When quarantine ended, instead of flying back, we bought a motorhome sitting on the side of the road. We drove it all the way back to Arizona. And during that long drive, I kept scrolling Zillow, looking at properties in Kenai. One listing stood out — a cabin on five acres. We bought it sight unseen.

Back by September

By the time September rolled around, we were back in Alaska. The cabin was ours. And the more time we spent there, the more Alaska began to work on us.

Alaska Changes You

Alaska isn’t just about cruises or adventure shows. It’s about the way the mountains tower over you, the rivers carve through the land, and the wildlife roams free. It’s about mornings that make you feel small in the best way, and evenings that remind you how big life can be.

The Takeaway

What started as an inconvenient detour became one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. Alaska got under our skin, into our souls, and gave us a summer home that feels less like a choice and more like a calling.

Sometimes the best adventures aren’t the ones you plan — they’re the ones that find you when you’re brave enough to say yes to the unexpected.