Have you ever dreamt of living on your own private homestead? No neighbours in sight and just the hum of nature as your soundtrack.  A place where life is about the simple things; good company, tasty food, and reconnecting with nature. On Shirley Lake in Alaska, Casey and his family are working hard to make this a reality, and not just for themselves. Casey is building a high-end getaway spot so that people from all over the world can come and enjoy everything that Alaska's wilderness has to offer, but without sacrificing any amenities.  He is constructing the resort by hand, using local wood milled on his HM126. The oasis can only be reached by plane or helicopter, making this ambitious build even more impressive.

Casey moved from his home in California to Wasilla, Alaska, in 2009. In December of that year, while in Argentina, h Casey had a job lined up to work as a commercial pilot in Alaska. When the job did not pan out, he decided to start up his own air taxi business.  During his excursions, Casey would often fly over Shirley Lake and admire a little property along the shore, on it was one solitary cabin. Shirley Lake is located 100 miles Northwest of Alaska's largest city, Anchorage. The lake has no road access and is very secluded, surrounded only by wilderness.  He would often dream about what it would be like to live among the beautiful Alaskan wildlife. When a buddy let Casey know that the owner was interested in selling, he immediately jumped at the chance. Casey and María were now the proud owners of their own remote acreage. 

With access to the land so limited, Casey has had to be creative when transporting the equipment to the lodge. The first was a 6000 lb. mini excavator that he had delivered by helicopter. The weight of the excavator meant that the helicopter could not make it to the lodge on one tank of fuel. Casey and friends strategically placed five 55-gallon drums at specific coordinates so that the helicopter could land and refuel along the way.  The whole endeavour cost about $20,000. He waited until March, when the lake was frozen, to bring over the metal roofing, septic tanks, and more building supplies. The 8000 lb. of materials were hauled in a 2-day, 130-mile snow machine trip.

His Cessna 185 Skywagon is good for more than just transporting people and sawmills. Casey has an external load permit so that he can carry things on the outside of the plane. It has been essential for shipping supplies to the lodge. An ATV quad, a 14' boat, appliances, and building materials are just some of the things that Casey has been able to attach to his plane. He even purchased a Multilander and flew it in, something he was very grateful for. The Multilander has proven to be extremely handy for moving supplies to each building site. This thing is tough. He uses it to load heavy materials, gravel, and long 20' logs. 

Casey and María have been getting lots of help to build their dream resort. As more work gets done, they have started to take some guests at a deeply discounted rate, as well as inviting up friends and family. They work in exchange for the amazing experiences that staying at the lodge has to offer. They were lucky to have a husband-and-wife team who are incredible at milling. They immediately got to work on the HM126, making lumber from all the Beetle-killed trees on the property. The ability to cut down their own trees and mill them on the spot saves a bundle in lumber costs. Casey and María are paying for the entire project out of pocket, so it's important to save money where they can.

This past summer, they had over a dozen people up to the lodge. Guests were helping to oil cabins, put up interior siding, and pour concrete. There are countless other things that the guests of LoliOli Lodge have done to help the project along. Not to worry, Casey makes sure that they have lots of fun, too. He takes his guests on scenic tours in his plane, they go for boat rides, and fish for Salmon. There is something special about enjoying a meal of freshly caught fish and local veggies, all cooked over an open fire. The paired feeling of community and accomplishment is something unique to LoliOli Lodge.

Casey owns a construction company giving him the skills and connections that he needs to make a big project like this one possible. He is working closely with two craftsmen, Jack Lewis and Greg Benge, who are helping turn his vision into reality. Building the lodge is only half the battle. Helicopter pilots, snow machine drivers, and many others who have helped transport supplies to the estate have been essential for Casey and his family's success so far. Casey would like to thank all his family and friends who have helped his dream become reality!

The family of 4 spends their summers on Shirley Lake, moving to the Anderson cabin every year in June. Although Casey would love to live on the acreage full-time, they split their time between Alaska, California, and Argentina. They just completed their 3rd season working on LoliOli Lodge and Casey is confident that they will be done at the end of their 5th season. 

The guests of LoliOli Lodge are getting quite the experience now, but when this project is complete it will be amazing on a whole new level. Let's travel a few years in the future when guests are flown in on a private plane for the week and have the option of staying in one of the 6 luxury guest cabins, each named after a local river or lake. Honeymooners are welcome to stay in the private cottage across the lake. The 16' by 18' cabins are 4' off the ground so that the guests get a better view of the breathtaking landscape. This also keeps the cabins above the snow for those brave winter guests. These beautiful cottages are finished with live edge siding, a front porch, and a private outdoor firepit. Inside your warm abode are cozy beds with access to a full bathroom complete with lavish slate-tiled showers. With water being filtered from the lake, feel free to take a long, hot shower or do a load of laundry. Pelton Wheels turn the water current into electricity that is stored in the batteries that run the lodge. A backup generator is installed but the lodge does not rely on it.

Spend your days fishing, boating, or relaxing on the large floating dock. You and seven friends can drift around the lake on the LoliOli pontoon boat, wine tasting and viewing the animals in their natural habitats. Watch as the otter frolic in the water, a mother swan passes gracefully followed by her cygnets, and a family of beavers add to their home. You might even see a bear fishing on the shore or find yourself shocked at how big a moose looks in person. If you are feeling adventurous, Casey can arrange for rafting trips, hunting, or even gold panning. Wander down to the outdoor gazebo for a drink at the bar and enjoy the aroma, as a full cut of lamb barbecues in the centre fire pit. In the evenings, follow the landscaped pathways to the brand-new main lodge for a 5-star meal prepared in the state-of-the-art kitchen. After dinner, it is the perfect time to sit around the fire pit and quietly bond with friends and family. The only sounds; crackling flames, waves crashing on the shore, and the occasional sorrowful song of a Loon. Perhaps you will take Casey up on his nightly offer of a scenic helicopter tour over the surrounding lake.

What a magnificent vision! When LoliOli Lodge is complete, not only will it be the ideal vacation spot, but it might also be the perfect place for your company retreat. With all of the activities that LoliOli Lodge will offer, high-speed satellite internet, and a corporate meeting room in the main lodge, you will easily achieve the perfect balance of productivity and community with your team.