Sometimes a great travel memory begins with something very simple: delicious food, a local beer and people you’ve just met.

While in Homer, Alaska, we stopped at Pika Pika Bento for chicken teriyaki and two Spam musubi, then carried our dinner inside Grace Ridge Brewing Company.

That’s where we met Donna and Wayne, friends of our friend Murph from Palmer. What started as casual conversation over food and beer quickly became one of those wonderful, unplanned evenings we’ve come to appreciate so much.

But our time with Donna and Wayne didn’t end in Homer. They later invited us to their beautiful home tucked into a peaceful forest setting.

One thing immediately caught our attention: books. Lots and lots of books. Their love of reading was evident throughout the home, with bookshelves filled with an incredible collection gathered over the years.

For two people currently living out of a Toyota 4Runner where every square inch of storage has to justify its existence, we admit we experienced a little bookshelf envy.

Donna and Wayne, thank you for the conversation, laughter and for opening your beautiful home to us. What began with beer and bento in Homer became another unexpected friendship along the road.