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'THE SHIRE HOUSE' Quiet Country Home

Overview Photos Map Calendar Rates Amenities Reviews (4)
 
 
 
Palmer house rental - 2 story home with spacious open loft on 2.5 acres is ready for your vacation.
2 story home with spacious open loft on 2.5 acres is ready for your vacation.
  • Palmer house rental - 2 story home with spacious open loft on 2.5 acres is ready for your vacation.
    The covered front deck is a relaxing place from which to enjoy the mountain view
    Solarium off the dining area can be used for extra dining or a quiet moment.
    Open kitchen/dining with doors to the back deck with the gas grill.
    Simple efficient 'U' shaped kitchen is fully equipped.
    The comfortable living room is open to the rustic high vaulted ceiling.
  • Palmer house rental - Overhead view of the living room from the open loft.
    The spacious open loft has lots of room for games or reading.
    The basement family room has a pool table and karaoke machine for your enjoyment
    Main floor super queen bedroom.
    Lower level queen bedroom
    Main floor bedroom with one twin bed.
  • Palmer house rental - Lower level bedroom with two twin size beds.
    Guinness the draft horse in his round pen.
    View from the front porch over the hay field to William's Reindeer Ranch.
    Spectacular views from the front porch are not uncommon
 
Palmer house rental - 2 story home with spacious open loft on 2.5 acres is ready for your vacation.

2 story home with spacious open loft on 2.5 acres is ready for your vacation.

The covered front deck is a relaxing place from which to enjoy the mountain view

The covered front deck is a relaxing place from which to enjoy the mountain view

Solarium off the dining area can be used for extra dining or a quiet moment.

Solarium off the dining area can be used for extra dining or a quiet moment.

Open kitchen/dining with doors to the back deck with the gas grill.

Open kitchen/dining with doors to the back deck with the gas grill.

Simple efficient 'U' shaped kitchen is fully equipped.

Simple efficient 'U' shaped kitchen is fully equipped.

The comfortable living room is open to the rustic high vaulted ceiling.

The comfortable living room is open to the rustic high vaulted ceiling.

Overhead view of the living room from the open loft.

Overhead view of the living room from the open loft.

The spacious open loft has lots of room for games or reading.

The spacious open loft has lots of room for games or reading.

The basement family room has a pool table and karaoke machine for your enjoyment

The basement family room has a pool table and karaoke machine for your enjoyment

Main floor super queen bedroom.

Main floor super queen bedroom.

Lower level queen bedroom

Lower level queen bedroom

Main floor bedroom with one twin bed.

Main floor bedroom with one twin bed.

Lower level bedroom with two twin size beds.

Lower level bedroom with two twin size beds.

Guinness the draft horse in his round pen.

Guinness the draft horse in his round pen.

View from the front porch over the hay field to William's Reindeer Ranch.

View from the front porch over the hay field to William's Reindeer Ranch.

Spectacular views from the front porch are not uncommon

Spectacular views from the front porch are not uncommon

Per night (USD) $295
Per week $1,985
  • Bedrooms4
  • Sleeps11
Minimum Stay 2 nights

Photos and Description of the Palmer vacation house rental
4 Bedroom home with inspiring views

This is a great home for a family trip or gathering. The home has 4 bedrooms and 2 full baths. The 2 1/2 story design allows for 2 bedrooms on the main floor and 2 in the daylight basement. The basement also has a spacious family room with a pool table and games and puzzles and a Karaoke machine. The main floor has a cozy living room with windows floor to ceiling looking out on the birch forest toward Pioneer Peak and the Knik Glacier. The open kitchen/dining area features a solarium room. There is also an open loft with massive beams and rustic wood ceiling. In-floor heat is quiet and comfortable if heating is needed. There are several bookcases filled with books of all kinds if you like to read.

The kitchen is fully equipped. There is a gas grill on the back deck and outdoor table and chairs for barbeques on nice days. .

The property is pet friendly and great for families with kids.

The home is nestled in the woods far away from busy roads so you can enjoy the peace and quiet with lots of room for family fun. The full length covered front porch is a wonderful setting for morning sun and the back deck is secluded and looks out over the lawn area to the surrounding thick forest.

The property is very private and secluded yet only 15 minutes from the town of Palmer

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About David or Kathryn Johnson

David and Kathryn Johnson have lived in Alaska since 1996. We built the home mostly ourselves with help from friends, kids and a few paid professionals. Dave is an independent insurance agent and Kathryn is a biologist. Both are aspiring amatuer horse trainers working with Guinness, a 4 year old Percheron draft horse.

We both have been Alaskans for a long time, it just took us until 1996 when we moved here to realize it. We enjoy hiking, biking, skiing. We have traveled around the state and realize with every advaenture how much we still have to enjoy. From Denali to Kotzebue to Kodiak to Haines, Alaska continues to amaze us.

David or Kathryn Johnson purchased this house in 2006
Why David or Kathryn Johnson chose Palmer

We built our home in the Bodenburg Butte area of Palmer because of the beautiful quiet rural environment. The farms and hayfields and horse pastures are surrounded by spectacular mountains and dense forest areas. Moose are common and we have seen bear and wolf tracks on our hikes to the nearby Matanuska River. We want to share the beauty and uniqueness of the area with others who might appreciate it. With the kids grown and gone, we built an apartment above the detached garage so we could still enjoy our property but better utilize the big home to share with others.

What makes this house unique

The home is the perfect family fun location. From the family/game room in the lower level to the open loft it has lots of room for fun. The old fashioned covered front porch looks out over the fields and on to the mountains and provides a constantly changing inspiring vista. Our home is arranged so that guests can easily enjoy various activities without getting in each other's way.

Overview Photos Map Calendar Rates Amenities Reviews (4)
Palmer house rental - 2 story home with spacious open loft on 2.5 acres is ready for your vacation.

2 story home with spacious open loft on 2.5 acres is ready for your vacation.

The covered front deck is a relaxing place from which to enjoy the mountain view

The covered front deck is a relaxing place from which to enjoy the mountain view

Solarium off the dining area can be used for extra dining or a quiet moment.

Solarium off the dining area can be used for extra dining or a quiet moment.

Open kitchen/dining with doors to the back deck with the gas grill.

Open kitchen/dining with doors to the back deck with the gas grill.

Simple efficient 'U' shaped kitchen is fully equipped.

Simple efficient 'U' shaped kitchen is fully equipped.

The comfortable living room is open to the rustic high vaulted ceiling.

The comfortable living room is open to the rustic high vaulted ceiling.

Overhead view of the living room from the open loft.

Overhead view of the living room from the open loft.

The spacious open loft has lots of room for games or reading.

The spacious open loft has lots of room for games or reading.

The basement family room has a pool table and karaoke machine for your enjoyment

The basement family room has a pool table and karaoke machine for your enjoyment

Main floor super queen bedroom.

Main floor super queen bedroom.

Lower level queen bedroom

Lower level queen bedroom

Main floor bedroom with one twin bed.

Main floor bedroom with one twin bed.

Lower level bedroom with two twin size beds.

Lower level bedroom with two twin size beds.

Guinness the draft horse in his round pen.

Guinness the draft horse in his round pen.

View from the front porch over the hay field to William's Reindeer Ranch.

View from the front porch over the hay field to William's Reindeer Ranch.

Spectacular views from the front porch are not uncommon

Spectacular views from the front porch are not uncommon

Overview Photos Map Calendar Rates Amenities Reviews (4)
Car: necessary

Palmer was the center of the 1930's Matanuska Valley farm colony, created by the US government as a way to help over 200 farm families from the Midwest to start over. There are many log homes and log barns from the era in the immediate area still occupied and used.

A short walk across the hayfield brings you to the William's Reindeer Ranch where you can see and learn about reindeer, bison, moose and elk. The ranch also provides horseback trail rides on nearby Bodenburg Butte.

About 60 miles down the Glenn Highway you can hike on Matanuska Glacier, the 26 mile long glacier which is the source of the Matanuska River. Marvel at the immensity and the fantastic blue of glacial ice! For the adventurous, NOVA guides has a whitewater raft trip on the Matanuska River.

The town of Palmer is about 7 miles from the house and has all services you would expect in a small friendly town. There are grocery stores, great restaurants (ask for our recommendations) and lots of small town charm.

If you just want to enjoy the outdoors you can hike to the Matanuska River or find a local trail up one of the mountains nearby. Both lake and river fishing are available either on your own or on guided trips.

Or, use the place as a base for exploring more of SouthCentral Alaska. Anchorage is about 45 miles south with its wonderful museums, restaurants and many other attractions. Traveling south you can visit the wonders of the Kenai Peninsula and visit the harbor towns of Seward and Homer. Seward is the home of the Alaska Sealife Center, a must see on any Alaska trip.

Overview Photos Map Calendar Rates Amenities Reviews (4)
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Overview Photos Map Calendar Rates Amenities Reviews (4)

Rental Rates for this vacation house rental in Palmer, Alaska

Rental Basis:
Per property
Rental rates quoted in:
USD
Convert Currency
Rate Period Nightly Weekend Night Weekend Weekly Monthly Event Minimum Stay
 
Base Rate
$295
$295
Fri, Sat, Sun
$1,985
2 nights
 

Additional information about rental rates

Call anytime if you have any special requests concerning rates.

Payment is usually accepted in the quoted currency (USD) unless the currency and the amount is specifically agreed in advance with the owner / advertiser.

Cancellation Policy

100% refund if canceled at least 60 days before arrival date.
Overview Photos Map Calendar Rates Amenities Reviews (4)

Accommodation and Amenities for this vacation house rental in Palmer, Alaska

Property Type:
  • house
Location Type:
  • Mountain View ...
    Spectacular view from the full length covered front porch of the best of rural Alaska and the Chucagh Mountains. Pioneer Peak (6,400 ft) is only 3 miles to the south and continually changes with the light and weather. The William's Reindeer Ranch with it's 80 acre hayfield/horse pasture provides the foreground for the awesome mountain backdrop.
General:
  • Wood Stove ...
    Efficient woodstove keeps the living room cozy on cold days.
  • Wireless Internet ...
    Wireless internet is included.
  • Washing Machine ...
    Stacked washing machine and gas dryer are conveniently located in the home.
  • Clothes Dryer
  • Linens Provided
Kitchen:
  • Dishwasher
  • Refrigerator
  • Microwave
  • Kitchen ...
    Full kitchen with gas range, microwave, refrigerator/freezer, dishwasher.
  • Cooking Utensils ...
    Wolfgang Puck and Wearever cookware. Teapot, coffee pot, dishes, silverware and almost anything else you need.
Bedrooms:
  • 4 Bedrooms, Sleeps 11
  • Queen size Beds (2) Super queen in upstairs bedroom and regular queen sleigh bed in basement bedroom., Twin or Single Beds (3) Twin captain's bed in upstairs bedroom. Two twin beds in downstairs bedroom., Baby Cribs (1) Graco fold out playpen/crib is provided., Sleep Sofa or Futons (2) One sleep sofa in the lower level family room and one in the open loft.
Entertainment:
  • Television ...
    Flat screen TV with internet TV box for almost unlimited choices.
  • CD Player
  • Video Games ...
    Games are available on the Internet TV system.
  • Stereo
  • Pool Table
Outside:
  • Deck / Patio ...
    (2) Full length covered front porch and large open back deck off dining area. Back deck has patio furniture with umbrella.
  • Outdoor Grill
Suitability:
  • pets considered ...
    Pets considered with additional damage deposit.
  • children welcome ...
    This is a kid friendly home owned by grandparents!
  • non smoking only
Attractions:
  • churches
  • cinemas
  • library
  • restaurants
  • museums
  • playground
Leisure Activities:
  • shopping
  • wildlife viewing
  • bird watching
  • eco tourism
  • horseback riding
  • scenic drives
  • sight seeing
  • sledding
  • walking
Local Services & Businesses:
  • ATM/bank
  • fitness center
  • groceries
  • hospital
  • laundromat
  • massage therapist
  • medical services
Sports & Adventure Activities:
  • cross country skiing
  • kayaking
  • rock climbing
  • snowboarding
  • snowmobiling
  • cycling
  • fishing
  • fly fishing
  • freshwater fishing
  • golf
  • hiking
  • hunting
  • hunting big game
  • hunting small game
  • ice skating
  • mountain biking
  • mountain climbing
  • mountaineering
  • paragliding
  • rafting
  • roller blading
  • skiing
  • whitewater rafting
  • parasailing
Overview Photos Map Calendar Rates Amenities Reviews (4)

Reviews for this vacation house rental in Palmer, Alaska

'THE SHIRE HOUSE' Quiet Country Home
average rating of 4.75 based on 4 reviews
business
'THE SHIRE HOUSE' Quiet Country Home
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p424017vb
+ 907 223 6508
Palmer Alaska
4

Large Property!

4 of 5
Submitted: May 16, 2013 Stayed: April 2013
We enjoyed a nice family visit here at the Shire House. Six adults and four children and we had plenty of room for everyone! The kids enjoyed the piano and pool table in the downstairs family room. It is a little ways outside Palmer but that really wasn't an issue for us. The mountains outside the door were drop dead gorgeous and it was quiet and peaceful there. Not many places let you bring a pet so we were really grateful to David and his wife for providing a place big enough for our crew and pet too!
Recommended for:  Age 55+, Pet-friendly, Adventure Seekers, Girls Getaway, Sightseeing, Families with Teenagers, Families with Young Children
business
'THE SHIRE HOUSE' Quiet Country Home
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p424017vb
+ 907 223 6508
Palmer Alaska
Wasilla, Alaska, USA
5

Very pleased with this rental

5 of 5
Submitted: March 11, 2013 Stayed: March 2013
We had a group of 17 girls stay here and everyone enjoyed themselves wile staying at the cabin. It was beautiful. Also, the renters were the a pleasure to work with. We are definitely renting from them again.
Recommended for:  Age 55+, Adventure Seekers, Girls Getaway, Families with Teenagers, Families with Young Children, Romantic Getaway
business
'THE SHIRE HOUSE' Quiet Country Home
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p424017vb
+ 907 223 6508
Palmer Alaska
5

Perfect for family fun!

5 of 5
Submitted: January 2, 2013 Stayed: December 2012
This place was huge, awesome, and perfect.

Our dog loved the chance to romp around the secluded, heavily wooded lot and stare at the horses.

My parents loved the high ceiling and robust lodge-style construction.

My girlfriend loved the modern and expansive kitchen and dining areas -- to include the solarium/breakfast nook.

I loved the pool table.

This place was perfect for us and David was very kind and welcoming -- and responsive with regards to the reservation and payment process.

It was really perfect. Way better (and bigger!) than it looks in the ad.
Recommended for:  Age 55+, Pet-friendly, Adventure Seekers, Girls Getaway, Sightseeing, Families with Young Children, Romantic Getaway
Helpful votes: 1/1
business
'THE SHIRE HOUSE' Quiet Country Home
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p424017vb
+ 907 223 6508
Palmer Alaska
Homer
5

Great Weekend Get-Away

5 of 5
Submitted: December 18, 2012 Stayed: December 2012
Our women's hockey team rented the house for a tournament in Palmer and the house was perfect for us! Kitchen was great and there was lots of room for the whole team to enjoy the weekend. It was a winter wonderland with snowy trees and beautiful mountains and sleigh horses right out the window. We are planning on staying here next year!
Recommended for:  Age 55+, Adventure Seekers, Girls Getaway, Sightseeing, Families with Teenagers, Families with Young Children
Helpful votes: 1/1
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