MEMBERS
MEMBERSHIP SPOTLIGHT Clear Sky Lodge
I
had the opportunity to chat with Vicki Nelson , one of the owners of the Clear Sky Lodge and get to learn more about this long standing institution !
Tell me a little about the history of Clear Sky Lodge .
The lodge was built in the 60s , and has been added onto over the decades . My husband grew up in Anderson and if you grew up in Anderson , you grew up at the Clear Sky Lodge , which is a major part of the reason that we bought it in May of 2019 . Since then we ’ ve made all kinds of additions and renovations , including a 10- spot RV hookup for campers , new dart boards , ping pong , corn hole and more !
How has covid affected you ?
Luckily , none of us here have had any problems with Covid itself , but like most places we ’ ve had problems with keeping enough employees . We currently only have 3 on staff , plus a custodial person .
What ’ s the favorite menu item for the locals ?
We ’ re definitely famous for our steaks . We have a grill and a fryer and that ’ s all we need . The grill is right out in the open with the cook standing right there for everyone to watch . Our grill is amazing and does wonderful things to anything we cook on it . I ’ ve tried to take the same steak and same seasoning home to cook and it ’ s just not the same . Ribeyes are the most popular item on the menu , but the New York Steak sandwiches are a close second !
Anything else you ’ d like to add ?
Over the last couple years , we ’ ve added a large outdoor beer garden with a stage for bands that come through to perform . We ’ ve also made a lot of changes , including remodeling the entire inside with new walls and flooring , as well as new tables made by my husband ! We have certainly prettied the whole place up .
We ’ ve had to cut out lunches as well , which just doesn ’ t feel right to have to do . We have added a new stage .
INTERVIEW WITH VICKI NELSON
ALASKA CHARR MAGAZINE | 18