.- Last question - would a portfolio loan make sense to fund the purchase transactions (especially if they are spaced out over time)?

It is an increasingly competitive space, but we have loved it.

I have seen this with what was once large retail spaces. 

Gross revenues are PER SPACE / SPOT.

I'd say more than even Anchorage because of the expanse of space too. 

I am currently in the process of learning all that I can about real estate, and a partner and I plan on entering the space after we graduate.

Every available space in the kitchen was filled with enough food to feed a dozen people for a week. 

Then all bets are off.If you build or buy an STR now you are simply speculating going into a down turn (fact) at peak prices (fact) into a market space that is being devastated (fact) - travel and leisure business' are nonoperational in most of the country and the world and if not in your area now it will be tomorrow or the day after or next week.

In my conversations with park owners who have done the conversion, it has cost about $2500 per space on average, but keep in mind those were larger parks. 

Anything further than that and you're more than likely going to be observing home prices from a completely different market space & climate.