October 18th marks the day the United States purchased Alaska in 1867, for the bargain basement deal of 7.2 million dollars. Frankly, after living in this magnificent state my entire life, I still can't believe the beauty I am surrounded by everywhere I go. This past weekend I had the fortune of going to my oldest and best friends wedding on the island of Kodiak, just an hour flight south of Anchorage, my hometown. The last time I had been there was ten years previously, a scraggly teen, desperate for adventure and independence. Few things have changed on the island during that time. Half the flight passengers knew one another, and from the baggage claim to the grocery check out, familiar faces were found around every bend in the road. But the charm is genuine, and the surrounding scenery on a clear day is nothing less than breathtaking.
With a population of just under 6,500 as of 2013, Kodiak has maintained its locals only feel, with sprinkles of sincere hospitality everywhere. During the bachelorette party, the bride had drinks bought for her from the guy that changes her tires each winter, and a bouncer, just to name a few. The bride and bridesmaids didn't go to a salon to get their nails done, instead, we simply showed up at the nail salon owners house, with two bottles of champagne and a jug of orange juice.
Alaska has breathtaking beauty and incredible grit all around, and if you've seen "The Deadliest Catch," you know we also have some of the sexiest men on the planet. I mean nothing is more attractive than a man who smells like fish and hasn't shaven for months at a time, am I right? But not all can stand the long bitter winters and short, chilly days. Seasonal Affective Disorder is a real thing, and there is a reason why Alaska ranks number one for suicides and domestic abuse. For those that do survive the winters, the endless summer days and perfect temperatures make it all worth it. We live in a state where pumpkins can grow to be 1,287 pounds and an ear of corn over 23 feet long. We have the highest mountain peak in all of North America, and some of the most rudimentary styles of living in the U.S.
Most of all Alaska is still wild. Raspberries, blueberries and salmonberries grow wild, our wildlife range from polar bears to humpback whales, and from bull moose to bald eagles. Our population is wild and believe sandals are still acceptable when snow has fallen and shorts are agreeable with 40-degree weather. So, when you've tired of your urban metropolis, and feel like knocking people's hats off, take to the sea and travel to me in the last frontier.
