Finally sitting down here to write this was a long time in preparation. 

I sit in the same room I stayed in, while visiting Alaska back in August, 2019. It's a rental, belonging to a family friend. We moved in exactly 99 days ago. It's taken me this long to get the house set up (mostly, I know, Liz). And do the paperwork to establish ourselves as new locals - licenses, mailboxes, bank accounts, and such. And figure out where everything is, how its done, or better still how it is NOT done, etc.

And sitting here, I'm realizing that Life's twists, turns, and random events have pushed my wife, Elizabeth, and I down a path that has me completely gobsmacked.  Why??

I live in Alaska.

What the ACTUAL f#ck????

Yes, there ARE over 700,000 others that also live here, so just why am I so special??

Well, to be fair, I am not particularly special, other than to my mother, and hopefully, my wife and kids...but I am not from Alaska, having recently relocated to here from Florida in July of this year, 2021. I am not a Floridian, either. OR a Delawarian, West Virginian, English Citizen, Nebraskan, Mississippian, or Texan -all places I lived (in reverse order). I was born outside of Detroit, MI. I have moved around quite a bit, much of it from my military career, the rest due to my family having itchy feet, apparently. 

Along the way, I picked up a few skills, as well as a lot more interests, and much of what I've learned will serve me well here in Alaska. As far back as I can recall, I've had an interest in the outdoors. Hunting, fishing, trapping, hiking, camping, gardening, farming, wild edibles, survival, and a general ability to make do with less than normal...And it is not only my desire. In fact, Elizabeth has said that she wants to move here to see just what we can learn to live without.

Craziness. We know.

What are our plans??? I'm happy you inquired.

Ultimately, we want to move into a small chunk of land that sits adjacent to some of Alaska's 365 million public acres. On that land we want to build a cabin, with all amenities provided by ourselves - no grid tied water, electric, or gas. Our only planned connections to civilization would be our cell phones and internet access - both in order to stay in touch with our loved ones. Oh, and to allow me to keep in touch with YOU. 

And on that note, please subscribe, if this sounds interesting. 

You may find our tale to be informative, heart warming, comical, and, if you are cut from similar cloth as us, inspirational. So tag along, feel free to ask questions, offer advice, and laugh at our feeble attempts at regaining our youth, while trying to make our lives more simple, and self-reliant, along the way.

For a sample of what to expect, for several years in Florida, I wrote about converting my West Virginia upbringing into useable skills in Florida, and can be found at FloridaHillbilly.com. Yeah, this isn't my first public diary/blog/soapbox. 

So grab a cup of coffee, tea, or, if you happen have it, some chaga. Sit back, and expect some sarcasm, vulgarity, hardship, and entertainment. I'm gonna swear. I'm also gonna screw some stuff up, and let you ride along to laugh with me. AT me. But be nice, this is still my soapbox, and I have very little patience for pettiness.  The plan is a weekly post, however, like our plan for getting here, things may very well change before we get to our destination....I'll cover the trip getting here as well as the plans moving forward. 

Sit back, relax, its gonna be a wild, crazy ride. It sure has been so far....

Peace,
db