In 1935, this building was used as a dorm to house single teachers and nurses. In 1970, the Salvation Army purchased the property to use for housing for the elderly. Later, a fire on the third floor closed the building and it was left empty. In 1993, Janet Kincaid purchased the building with a vision for restoration. Many layers of dirt and varnish later, this historic building is now known as the Colony Inn. The Colony Inn is proud to have been the recipient of the First Palmer Historical Award for preservation by the National Historic Register.

The Inn offers 12 rooms, each with a private bath, television, and wifi. The building was restored with an effort to preserve the history, but make practical renovations like new plumbing and windows. The Inn is furnished with antiques and many were purchased right here in Palmer at Cover Ups! Janet describes the atmosphere she has created as “olden days with modern amenities.”

The Inn Cafe is leased by Chef Pete Scott and offers lunch Monday through Friday and brunch on Sunday. I had the french dip for lunch with a side salad and it was delicious! The small menu offers a well-rounded, basic selection of food for everyone. The service was impressively quick and the staff was wonderful!

The Inn’s great room offers a nice place for gatherings such as weddings, meet and greets, and family or business events. The most recent event was a book signing for local author Eowyn Ivey. Some of the Inn’s most memorable events have been 50th wedding anniversary celebrations with couples who originally wed at the Inn and returned to celebrate again 50 years later!

Written in collaboration by Janet Kincaid and Amber Lanphier.
Colony Inn ~ 325 East Elmwood Ave ~ Palmer, Ak 99645 ~
907-745-3330

Artsy iPhone snapshot

I stopped in at the Matanuska Glacier Recreation site to use the facilities and was hit on by an overly friendly tourist. I smiled anyway and took advantage of the perfect view of the glacier.

Nother artsy iPhone shot

I’ve been driving, or riding, on this stretch of the Glenn Hwy for as long as I can remember. My dad would take my family camping almost every summer up in a cabin in the tiny community of Victory, around mile 95. Sometimes if we forgot breakfast supplies, we would stop by Long Rifle Lodge for some filling food in the morning.

Home for Sale in Victory

Long Lake

I had the pleasure of finally eating at Rusty’s in Palmer right off Dahlia Street. I had a sample of the jalapeno cheese appetizer and for lunch I had fish and chips made with wonderful halibut! They have a great menu ranging from pizza to prime rib. Obviously, the desserts are incredible, and I ate more peanut butter pie than anyone should be allowed to eat!

There are separate menus for lunch and dinner times so you should definitely try both. Lunch is served from 11 to 5pm and dinner from 5-9pm Tuesday through Saturday.

There is an option for outdoor dining on the charming back patio. The summer months will make this a great place to hold parties, large dinners and events. In addition to the wonderful food and atmosphere, they host local artists’ work on the walls. Come view the beautiful paintings currently hanging.

Stop by Rusty’s Facebook Page for updates about events coming up! They have some great things in store for the future.

I recently dined at La Fiesta Mexican Restaurant in downtown Palmer. It was a pleasant experience and the food satisfied my need for authentic Mexican cuisine. Good lighting, hand painted walls, Mexican art and decor create a marvelous atmosphere. The staff was accommodating and very pleasant. While I was there, all the other diners that arrived were nice little families or couples. It made me thankful to be in a small town with great people!
I ordered Carne Asada and the meat was tender and just spicy enough. I was tempted to eat so much more because their extensive menu has everything from nachos to flan! You can choose from breakfast selections, enchiladas, tostadas, quesadillas, fajitas, chili verde, chimmichangas, camarones, imported and domestic beers. The dessert menu includes authentic Mexican flan, fried ice cream, sopapillas, and cheesecake burritos. There is also a sizable kids menu with burgers and other more familiar choices.

One thing I really appreciated was how fast the food was served! There was, at most, a 15 minute wait for delicious food! They also do catering for larger groups! Just order ahead and pick up your fresh Mexican cuisine for your event! I hope you visit this restaurant soon and enjoy their food with family or friends!

There is a wide selection of specialty truffles, chocolate covered cookies and pretzels, giant peanut butter cups and more. If you can’t find a treat you fancy, ask and they will make most special requests. The owner Tai Duhamel has developed many unique recipes over the years featuring unusual ingredients like ginger, cayenne, tea, rose, lavender and curry. You will also find the wonderful classics like caramel, nuts, mint, sea salt and much more!

The Hot Hot Chocolate Shoppe also offers a selection of gluten-free products dipped in chocolate. Due to family with food allergies, the owner has made it possible for those with allergies to enjoy the sweetness!

Stop by and purchase some delicious chocolate and don’t forget to take some home to your friends and family!

Check out the Hot Hot Chocolate Shoppe’s Facebook Page!