Alaska is definitely the last frontier, which is a slogan you can find printed on shirts, postcards, and many souvenir items all across the state. It is beautiful, scenic, inspiring, and huge. I have never been anywhere quite like it and I have thoroughly enjoyed visiting as much of it as possible. However, these are my personal opinions why I wouldn’t make a good Alaskan. I hope I don’t hurt your feelings, my sweet Alaska.
1. Alaskans are obsessed with hunting and fishing.
Let’s face it. If I had to rely on fish and wild game for food, I would starve to death. Wait, I would be vegetarian so maybe I wouldn’t starve. Even the youngest Alaskan children go on hunts with mom and dad. They sometimes catch fish larger than their bodies, too. Alaska definitely has more options for large game than most places in North America, and salmon fishing with dip nets looks like an easier way to scoop up large quantities of fish than using a rod and reel. Everyone talks about filling up their freezer until next season. Sadly, I don’t eat fish or any game meat and I don’t consider waders and rubber boots a fashion statement.
2. Lack of good Mexican food.
This one speaks for itself. We’ve found some decent nachos at a few restaurants, but no authentic enchiladas or tamales. Frankly, we haven’t really seen anyone with Hispanic or Latino heritage at all. I’ll pass on reindeer meet tacos and elk quesadillas. No thank you.
3. Bears.
Enough said. Being attacked by a bear is probably my biggest fear. Adding bear spray to your backpack is just one more thing to remember to pack. Plus, how do you know if bear spray is going to work and save your life?
4. High unemployment rate.
Alaska has the highest unemployment rate of any state at 6.8%, compared to the national average of 4.3%. Is it because most jobs are seasonal, or do people just not want to work? We saw “now hiring” signs all over Anchorage. As an HR professional, this bothers me. Even worse, I heard that the cruise companies that own lodges all over the state bring workers in from far away places. Some lodges have 5,000 workers and they don’t even employ Alaskans.
It’s not just the cruise lines, our bus drivers in Skagway and Juneau came from California for the summer, our driver in Denali was from Texas, and our glacier guide was Czech. Come on, how hard is it to drive a bus? There are many homeless people who need jobs.
5. Too many beards.
With the popularity of reality shows like the Bush People and Yukon Men, I think beards are widely accepted here. Me personally, I don’t care too much for them. It would be one thing if they were neatly trimmed, but most are not. I guess they need to look like a great “manly” hunter or something. I am patiently waiting for Darin to shave his at the end of this adventure. (Wink, wink)
6. Popularity of homesteading.
In 1862, president Abe Lincoln signed the Homestead Act which made 160 acres of land in one of the western states or territories available to people willing to live on the land for 5 years, develop the land, and build a house on the land. At the end of 5 years, if those requirements had been accomplished, that person could then receive full ownership of their parcel. Although it was repealed in 1976, a provision of the repeal allowed for homesteading to continue only in Alaska until 1986. Alaska also enacted some of their own free land programs and public land auctions.
There is absolutely no way that I could live without running water or electricity. Many of these little cabins are miles from the nearest road. I love convenience and being able to run to the store when I need something. I’ll stick to watching those reality TV shows like the “Alaskan Bush People” and not living in it!
7. Price of food and dining.
Now I understand why Alaskans catch their own food. The common price of a burger and fries is $15.99 at a restaurant. Some towns only get a barge once or twice a week, and that adds to the cost of everything. When we find a town with a Walmart, the shelves can look empty like crazy shopping around Christmas time. I couldn’t imagine taking a family of four or five out to dinner. Fresh produce is high and not real fresh since very little is grown here. For example, a $5 foot long at Subway is $9 up here.
8. The weather.
Let’s face it, I like summer. I like wearing flip flops and wearing shorts over a bathing suit whenever possible. Not here. Not this summer. I think we have ran the heater every night ALL summer. No need for A/C at all. In fact, when it gets up to 70 degrees the Alaskans complain that it is hot. For real! I need to head to a beach as soon as possible to thaw out!
9. Too many reminders of the good ole days.
It’s really kind of sad to read about the early 1900’s and how many towns of 10,000 or more people that were here and are totally gone now, or they only have a few hundred people. I think the economy would be so much better in Alaska if those people chose to stay, but I can understand why they left. We drove by so many closed down lodges and historic town sites as we traveled the main roads most of the time. I’m sure there are many more like it in remote areas. It makes me sad to think that people just left it all behind and headed back to the lower 48 states.
10. Did I say bears already?
See number 3 above. On a positive note, they don’t have any reptiles and only one species of amphibian!
Thank you Alaska for sharing your beauty with me. I don’t mean to sound ungrateful for all that you have to offer. I just know that I don’t have the necessary skills nor passion to make it long term within your monstrous borders. This is just my personal opinion and I don’t think it will change at my age.