What It’s Like to Live in Bush Alaska
6.
When going swimming, remember a gun.
This one always makes me think of the line from The Godfather: "Leave the gun, take the cannoli." Except here in bush Alaska, it's the opposite. Take the gun. You can leave the food if you want, but what's swimming without a little picnic too. Towels: check, Sunscreen: check, snacks and water: check, revolver: check. Ready to swim!
7. You can go outside and keep an eye out for that moose that's wandering around. Animals in your yard are a part of rural life in Alaska. Moose are often in town and could be about anywhere. It is amazing how such big animals could be so stealthy, but they can. We always tell our kids to be aware of their surroundings and watch for moose. One of my scariest moments was when a calf moose came speeding through my yard three feet from my kids. Thankfully, mama wasn't right behind him!
8. No, they can't go out now; a bear was spotted, and they are chasing it around. Bears are not tolerated in town. We will put up with moose but not bear. So, if there is a bear, it will be chased until it is caught or disappears. It is usually chased by many men with guns on 4-wheelers or snow machines. It is best to stay out of the way and let them do their job!
9. Wear a hat. It's fifty below. This is such a common thing to tell my kids. I don't know why it is so hard. They have lovely fur hats. It's -50 degrees, but they insist on wearing nothing or almost nothing. I am sure some other parents out there can relate.
10. No, you can't run outside barefoot because it warmed up to -30 degrees F. Here, -20 degrees is almost t-shirt temps, but -30 is still cold for bare feet... I have to remind one of my children of this. For some reason, she thinks it is summer just because it's not -60 to -40 anymore.
We have been living and serving in bush Alaska for about nine years now, and so many things seem so ordinary that I forget they aren't typical in other places. When we travel back to city life, sometimes what used to be normal now seems odd. In conclusion, things are different out here. There are so many more stories and adventures to be told about living in rural Alaska. Maybe someday I can tell you more. Come and explore the North with us!
7. You can go outside and keep an eye out for that moose that's wandering around. Animals in your yard are a part of rural life in Alaska. Moose are often in town and could be about anywhere. It is amazing how such big animals could be so stealthy, but they can. We always tell our kids to be aware of their surroundings and watch for moose. One of my scariest moments was when a calf moose came speeding through my yard three feet from my kids. Thankfully, mama wasn't right behind him!
8. No, they can't go out now; a bear was spotted, and they are chasing it around. Bears are not tolerated in town. We will put up with moose but not bear. So, if there is a bear, it will be chased until it is caught or disappears. It is usually chased by many men with guns on 4-wheelers or snow machines. It is best to stay out of the way and let them do their job!
9. Wear a hat. It's fifty below. This is such a common thing to tell my kids. I don't know why it is so hard. They have lovely fur hats. It's -50 degrees, but they insist on wearing nothing or almost nothing. I am sure some other parents out there can relate.
10. No, you can't run outside barefoot because it warmed up to -30 degrees F. Here, -20 degrees is almost t-shirt temps, but -30 is still cold for bare feet... I have to remind one of my children of this. For some reason, she thinks it is summer just because it's not -60 to -40 anymore.
We have been living and serving in bush Alaska for about nine years now, and so many things seem so ordinary that I forget they aren't typical in other places. When we travel back to city life, sometimes what used to be normal now seems odd. In conclusion, things are different out here. There are so many more stories and adventures to be told about living in rural Alaska. Maybe someday I can tell you more. Come and explore the North with us!
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