We have moved to Alaska! When we got back from our circumnavigation of the globe on our sailboat Rainbow Chaser we determined that Alaska has the greatest personal freedom of ANY place in the World. You can not show pictures of Alaska without starting with Mt McKinley, the crown of the continent at 20,320 feet! It is often times hidden in the clouds. We drove by it on three occasions before we first saw it. Lots of folks plan their lifetime trip to Alaska and never see it. -- If it happens to you come back here and take a look.
Searching Alaska
We drove around Alaska on the limited road system about 2 1/2 times in 2009 looking at real estate before we found our spot. This picture was taken along the unpaved Denali Highway which is about 135 miles long and goes right through the wild heart of Alaska. Our vehicle is a 4wd F250 diesel with a 6 speed manual transmission topped with a pop-up "hawk" four wheel camper.
Wilderness
These are some of the mountains behind our property. Pure wilderness as far as the eye can see. As sailors we came to appreciate true wilderness as we voyaged to some of the most remote spots on the globe. Now back in our own country we realized that the lower 48 is civilization with patches of wilderness, while Alaska is wilderness with patches of civilization.
Nearby River
The whole state is beautiful, lots of rivers and streams. This one is a bit of a hike from our land but worth it. You don't have to look to far for a moose track.
Survey Monument
Definitely in my element with a marine GPS in my hand and a .44 magnum Ruger Redhawk with a 7 1/2" barrel in a shoulder holster loaded with 340 grain +P+ "Buffalo Bore" rounds. This survey monument at my feet was easy to find but others were more difficult. When we were looking for land we marched all over the boonies like this locating corners of property, sometimes in grass chest high with bear sign around... Lots of fun and a great way to see the state! Note: Carry the .44 when you don't expect to see a bear, carry something bigger when you do...
12 Ga Shotgun
That is the 12 guage shotgun we took around the world with us on Rainbow Chaser. Now instead of "pirate duty" it gets "bear duty" out in the bush. Loaded with slugs it is one of the preferred bear defense combos in Alaska. Carried on her left shoulder like that Pam can drop her left hand to the fore stock and rapidly deploy the weapon across her front. She is a deadly shot so don't let that smile fool you. Bears are best handled by AVOIDING them. Give them every chance to go on their way. You really don't want to shoot one as it will ruin your day and the bears! From what I understand if you take one in defense of life it begins a crime scene investigation where you are pretty much considered guilty until proven innocent. In any case, the hide, claws & skull belong to the state and YOU have to skin and pack it out! The good news is that grizzlies are much more honest than pirates, mind their own business and generally want to go on their own way. I only had one encounter with a grizzly on our property at about 30 yards and it was quite manageable... I backed away!
Frozen Pond
This is one of our ponds that was frozen in the Spring when we got there and was the first to freeze up in the Fall.
