Maria's B&B

Majestic View Bed and Breakfast

It really is a beautiful place. I can't imagine a better view anywhere around here. It's a couple of miles above the ocean up a steep hill, and overlooks the famous "Homer Spit" below, with the Kenai Mountains and glaciers in the distance, and Katchemak Bay in-between.

Maria's home has three units for B&B guests. My favorite is "The Rose Room" (Mom, you would love it). It's on the top level and has the best view, an outdoor deck, lots of windows, a king bed and a single bed. When you walk through the curtains, there's a big bathroom and jacuzzi tub/shower.  Maria likes to paint, so her art is on the walls, and in the hallway above the stairway leading up there. There's also two more units on the main level.  During the off season, Maria lives in the rose room, but during the busy season, she lives in the garage. That's one of the things I like about her is that she doesn't require much (can live simply, not high maintenance). Her garage bedroom is full of the memorabilia from her life - the walls are plastered with it - sort of what you would expect from a high school aged person. It's fun.

In the lowest level, Maria has an assisted living area which currently has four residents who are in later stages of life, dementia, alzheimers, etc. She has several nurses that trade off 24-hour care, and Maria is very involved in this as well (more than she wants to be, I think). She has nurse training, so is often administering meds, caretaking, and taking the folks to the hospital when necessary.

Next door is a two unit cabin, which also has kitchenette, large decks, and full living area. Those folks come over for breakfast in the am as well.  Maria is the "warm host" that greets these folks when they arrive in the pm, gets them acquainted and orientated to their surroundings, and then cooks for them every morning. The table is always full of french toast, pancakes, bacon, sausage, fresh muffins, and fruit. My favorite is the Alaskan Pancakes - which are reminiscent of the stuff we used to get at the Pannekukkin Huis down in the cities back in the 80's and 90's. They are raised pancakes that are covered with fresh fruit and powdered sugar.  She makes them in a skillet big enough to feed 8 or 10 people, or three normal people and me.

On the weekends, Maria tries to fade into the background and let her employees take over, but it is hard. I remember what it is like owning a small business. Some people insist that you be there, and that you do their work. If you don't - they won't come - and it's especially true for Maria's B&B.

I've been trying to earn my keep by helping out with the man things - grounds keeping, and outdoor projects. There some painting that needs to be done next, and the outdoor jacuzzi need to be drained, cleaned, and refilled.