Living in Alaska - Life in the Last Frontier

Six years ago today, we arrived in Fairbanks! Officially though, our arrival in Alaska was six years ago yesterday - when we crossed the border and set up camp in Tok for the evening.  Here is some of what I wrote in my Alaska Journal about our first impression of Interior Alaska:

Fairbanks is like any other big city. Immediately upon entering the outskirts of the city (and while passing through North Pole - which is just east of here), we began to see businesses we haven’t seen since leaving the midwest: Blockbuster Video, Wendy’s, etc. It is also congested here - especially after visiting towns boasting populations under 500.

We found our campground (Chena Marina RV Park) and set up. Just then a float plane landed on the “water runway” in front of  us. This continued all day and I enjoyed watching each time. Later on this evening, Steve and I met a couple from North Carolina and ended up sitting in their RV chatting until 11:30pm. It was impossible to tell that it was late - the sun was still visible on the horizon.

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…we took a drive through “downtown” Fairbanks. It doesn’t really feel like Alaska to us yet. (I know it will when the cold weather comes) It was comforting to see some of the establishments I am familiar with. But I also saw many businesses and small shops that aren’t a part of the big nationwide mix. I look forward to exploring some of them.

Another nice change is seeing foothills on the horizon, rather than tall buildings. And knowing that only a short drive away is some of the most awesome scenery in the country. We still feel like tourists (and have been told that we aren’t truly Alaskans until we live through our first winter), and I’ve picked up countless brochures highlighting activities and sights for the entire state. We hope to see as much of Alaska as we can while we’re here. I am glad that Steve and I share that love for getting out on the open road and driving until we can’t go anymore. And I look forward to delving more deeply into my photography.

I’m also looking forward to experiencing some of the local events here in Fairbanks. This month (next week) is the Midnight Sun Festival and the Annual Midnight Sun Baseball Game. By the way, I think I saw on the news that the recent sunset was at 11:35pm and sunrise was at 2:28am. On June 21st, it will be the longest day of sunlight and then the days get progressively shorter again. Although the long days of sunlight were a bit disconcerting to us at first, we’re finding that we are able to sleep through the night without any problems. We did put a piece of cardboard on the front door window of the camper and I stuffed some cardboard in the skylight over our bed and that helps a lot.

I’ve often written about how thankful I am that the Army brought us here, and I’m going to say it again - how fortunate we are to live in Alaska! Happy Anniversary to us!

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As we approach June 21st and summer solstice, the sun barely goes below the horizon. Even when the sun does go down, darkness does not fall. There are no stars in the sky, and the moon is a white orb against blue-gray dusk.  I find myself staying up later… midnight, 1am, sometimes 2am and later, because I lose track of time.  However, I’m sleeping much better, which some might find odd considering darkness never comes. Gone is the insomnia of winter; I feel well-rested and rejuvenated.

With all this sunlight, everything tends to grow faster and bigger than what home gardeners in the lower 48 states are accustomed to. Steve’s tomato plants are doing well, as are the zucchini plants we got from our friends Gip and Carmen.  But the best proof of our fast growing season has to be our new lawn. I’ve been taking photos of the grass almost every day to document its growth. See for yourself what has happened in six days:

There are a few patchy areas that we’re going to have to re-seed, but we were told to expect that many bags of seed have some that are ‘duds’.

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The recent combination of rain and sunshine has made the prickly rose bushes explode with shades of pink and magenta.  We’re letting the area beneath our birch trees develop naturally, and at this time of the year, we are rewarded with showy roses and abundant bluebells. Yesterday, I saw the first clumping of dwarf dogwood as well. I love the way that Mother Nature gardens!

My wildflower garden in the rear of the yard is doing well. The seedlings are now several inches tall. I just wish I had saved the bag, because now I can’t remember what was included in the mix. I suppose I’ll just have to wait and then be surprised. I do hope everything grows well and blooms.

(Click to enlarge the first photo)

My wildflower garden:

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