Located on 24 acres, the property is yours to roam.  Wander through the biologically diverse and beautiful deciduous and coniferous forest.  Enjoy identifying arctic and sub arctic plants, berries and wildflowers, and watch for the wide array of indigenous birds and mammals that utilize the property, including bald eagles,  chickadees, swallows, a wide variety of water fowl, magpies, robins, grey and stellar jays, ravens,  lynx, wolves, moose, grizzly bears, and black bears.  All of which have been seen on the property.  Large moose and bears often forage nearby.

So, what do I wear at Sheep Creek Lodge?  Southcentral Alaska enjoys fairly mild temperatures year around, thanks to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean. Typical summer high temperatures in the Willow area are in the 60s or low 70s. If the temperature hits 80, it's a major news story. But in the absence of wind, 60 is comfortable. And remember that summer days are very long. In late June it doesn't get really dark at night. People are still doing yard work at midnight and, on the Fourth of July, the fireworks aren't set off until after midnight.

Winters around Willow are mild, too. Snowfalls are as gentle as the summer rain. Temperatures stay pretty much in the teens (Fahrenheit, that is) from November through March with perhaps one or two cold snaps when temperatures drop below zero during that period. The average high temperature in early February, for example, is in the low 20s (Fahrenheit), providing pleasant conditions for cross-country and downhill skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. Winter days are short; in December when they're shortest, the sun rises after 10 a.m. and sets around 3:30 p.m.

Alaska is a pretty informal place. Casual clothes are acceptable almost anywhere and sweaters come in handy year-around. If you're a man, you can wear jeans and a sports shirt most anywhere.  If you're coming in the summer, you'll want to pack a jacket. In the winter, you'll want a heavier coat. A parka will be worth it if you plan to be outdoors snowmachining, cross country skiing, or snowshoing.  Warm gloves are a must.

You might want to make that jacket a waterproof one. After three or four summers that seem mostly sunny, we'll get one that seems mostly rainy. August is often the rainiest month in Southcentral Alaska. A rain hat is probably a good idea, but the umbrella can stay at home. Rainfalls in Willow are gentle and steady.