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| Unalakleet, Alaska |
I was one of those people who always dreamed of Alaska. I don't know when it started, but I know it will never end. I grew up dreaming of living off grid in the Alaskan wilderness. I was that kid.
I raised my own kids with the idea that when they brought the grandkids to come see me, they were going to have to fly-in to where I live... no roads in or out, unless by 4-wheeler or snowmobile. Seriously, my girls have known this about me their entire lives. I've read all the books about Alaska that I can get my hands on. I've seen all the movies, watched all the TV shows. I was a Time Bandit fan before it was cool! I've always dressed differently, worn less makeup and done less with my hair than most women my age, or in my neighborhood.
My oldest daughter brought her boyfriend (now fiance) to meet me a couple of weeks ago and she was trying to tell him what to expect. She told him that I'd probably be wearing sweat pants and a plaid flannel shirt. She knows me well!
I've hunted deer, squirrel, duck, and pheasant, and shot all except duck (those evasive little pests!). I know how to skin all of them and have studied how to tan hides. I can sew, cook, chop wood, and make a fire. I can drive a tractor, bush hog, 4-wheeler, snowmobile, boat, and dogsled. I can canoe, kayak, and set up a tent on my own. I have caught, filleted, and cooked halibut, whitefish, salmon, walleye, crappie, pike, and even gar (tastes like chicken!). I have dug for, cleaned, and cooked razor and butter clams.
Hell, I've raised two amazing daughters on my own! Bring it, Alaska!!!
If I never go to another movie theatre or mall or festival, I'd be a happy camper. To say that I don't like crowds is an understatement. I have a deep-seated need to live where I can go out on my 4-wheeler for a mile and look 360 degrees without seeing another soul or building. I'm a homebody, an introvert, a lover of solitude. To live a more urban life drains me.
Most people that I meet find it unusual that I've been single for 15 years. It's not so unusual if you consider the type of man it would take to fit into my life dreams.
My adventure this time will take me to Unalakleet where I will teach 9-12th grade English in addition to living my Alaska dream. Alaska feels more like home than any place I've ever lived and I'm terribly excited to go back August 1. For good? Who knows. Probably. As my dad always told me, "The road goes both ways."
