Comment

Comment by Brenda Lance on July 7, 2009 at 10:23am

Shaun, to answer your question about teaching. I do not have my bachelor's yet. I have three terms to go until I finish, adding to up to about one more year. I homeschool my own children right now, so essentially I have taught grades kindergarten through seventh grade. I have taught private music and piano for both individual students and group classes. I actually performed in a piano competition many years ago in Fairbanks and took state, going on to Wyoming for the regionals. I spent some time in Fairbanks when I was there, but I know it must have changed in the past 20 years. I've thought about checking out Alaska as a means of maybe getting into substituting while finishing my degree, or finishing the degree first knowing I could come up and teach. Right now we are an hour and a half/two hours in any direction I go to commute to school. I only have a couple of gen ed classes I need, which I could do online, but all the other ones are music classes that are on campus classes. We are not opposed to putting our kids in school, even for a year, but the commute, especially during the winter seems unreasonable with still household duties, being a mom and wife, homework, and all other responsibilities. When we lived in La Grande, OR I was three miles away! It was definitely the perfect set-up, and they allowed me to bring my kids to the school when I needed them with me for any reason. Do you have any suggestions or are there options up your direction? I know they have the University of Fairbanks, but I could not just ask my family to up and leave without my husband having a job first to provide some income while I'm finishing up school. My deepest desire is to pursue at least a master's, if not a doctorates and teach at the university level. However, being in my 40's and not even having my bachelor's yet will be almost an impossibility. My family is too important for me to be married to personal ambitions. By the way, do you know of a Dr. Johnson in the music department at the University up there? He may not even be there anymore, but I studied under him over 20 years ago now and wondered if he was still there. Would love to explore more possibilities if you have options you could give us.

Comment by Brenda Lance on July 7, 2009 at 10:08am

Shaun, when are you planning on going? Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail has always been one of my dreams!!!! I've only done a couple of hikes on it in Oregon, but to hike from California to Canada would be the ultimate! With children it's kind of difficult ot get away for a five/six month period. I don't think my husband and extended family would be very happy if I just up and left...even if it was for only six months (HA!) But, still, I'd love to know what your plans are, who might be going, etc. Do you find that a lot of women go on treks like these? Not many in my circle of friends enjoy hiking, camping, and backpacking that much, making it a little more difficult since I would end up in the company of mostly men. Although my husband doesn't mind me having male friends, I don't think he would appreciate me spending six months in sole company of them. I've been thinking of checking out REI and see if they put together groups for the Pacific Crest. I know they do a whole lot of other trips.

Comment by Shaun Kraska on July 7, 2009 at 9:49am

And while this is the Alaska group, I'm actually hoping to connect with a few people who have hiked the Pacific Coast Trail or Mount Whitney in California - have you done either of those at all?

Comment by Shaun Kraska on July 7, 2009 at 9:48am

Hi Brenda, what grade level do you teach? I am a high school administrator and am on the Fairbanks district's recruiting team. We are in search of people who want to live in Alaska, enjoy the beauty and natural surroundings and work in schools here in Fairbanks. While it is sad that our nation's economy has been hit so hard in so many places, I can say that in Alaska, specifically in Fairbanks and the Anchorage area, the economy seems to be holding it's own far better than in many places in the states. I just returned from biking Denali Park - rode 80 miles from Wonder Lake out to Savage River campground. It took 10+ hours of consistent pedaling, and I was on the road for a total of 14 hours, but the unbelievable beauty and grand presentation that the mountains, wildlife and the midnight sun provided was the backdrop for my ride. It was absolutely once in a lifetime and an experience I hope to do again next summer.

Comment by Brenda Lance on June 30, 2009 at 10:08pm

Terry - how many years do you have until retirement? I've tossed around the idea of seeing what teaching possibilities are up there. I've heard that the state will pay for one's school costs if they will sign a five year contract. I went back to school quite late in years, and I have a family. My husband would need to find work, and in this day we're just glad he has a job. I know what you mean about being a displaced Alaskan. The closest I've come to Alaska is Glacier National Park and perhaps the Wallawas in eastern Oregon. We lived not far from them in La Grande until we moved to this God-forsaken country of eastern Washington. One can make a home anywhere as long as the family is together, but I so much miss the mountains. Do you do any boating? There was a river along the Alaskan Highway, Frog River I think it's called. I've always wanted to canoe that from the border of Alaska/Canada down to the end. I guess it's still running strong but then again this was many moons ago. Glad to have another fellow Alaskan in the group.

Comment by Terry West on June 30, 2009 at 9:02pm

Brenda- I agree, there's no comparison to camping anywhere in the lovwer 48, and what it is like in Alaska. I've also driven the dirt AlCan, and have driven it as it has become all civilized and paved. You will be sad to see the so-called improvements. Still, it is a much wilder world than anyone who has not been there can imangine. It is not for everybody, and I am glad of that. BTW, I lived on Kodiak for 20 years, then wandered the rest of Alaska for another 5 years. I am now a displaced Alaskan living in the lower 48, and hope to return after retirement.

Comment by Brenda Lance on June 29, 2009 at 6:27pm

I am new to the group as of a few minutes ago. I lived in Alaska for 13 years back in the 1970's and 1980's. We lived 1 1/2 hours south from Glenallen for 2 years, Palmer for 7 years, and then Anchorage for 4 years. We also were all over Alaska out on the Yukon and in various villages North and Southeast during that time frame. I can say I am one of the few that drove the Alaskan highway before any pavement had been laid. Dirt and potholes were the road and many times one had to make their own road. Loved camping up there and would love to get back. Caming in Alaska is very different than camping in the Pacific Northwest. Weather conditions are different and can change at a drop of a hat. Wilderness is much more expansive and remote. Underbrush is thicker and the water is colder. There is nothing like Alaska though, nothing that can come close to be compared to such a beautiful state.

Comment by Gerald Pitcher on June 29, 2009 at 11:17am

Carmen - The Northern Lights are best viewed during our darkest months which is Feb-April. It is usually around -30F temp wise so only the hard-core Artic Explorers can camp during the winter months. Renting an RV here is a safer option but still dangerous. Hotels & Northern Lights tour buses are the safest way. Kat Pitcher - Fairbanks, Alaska

Comment by Carmen Payne on June 28, 2009 at 10:14am

I am interested in camping in Alaska. One of the things I really want to do is see the northern lights. Where is the best spot to do that in and what time of year? What about all of the gear? Can you get that stuff there or do you have to take it with you on plane?