Surviving Alaska

Tifani Davids

4/2/14

EN002/Essay 3 Draft

Surviving Alaska

                If you want to survive living in Alaska you must first understand there are three seasons: day, night, and summer.  Well known for its extreme climate, Alaska is more than just snow all the time.  Summer can last for about three months with average temperatures of about sixty-five degrees, but can reach as high as eighty at times.  During the summer months there are about eighteen to twenty-one hours of sunlight.  During the winter months it remains dark for about six hours.  The temperatures can drop below negative thirty degrees in the winter with an average snowfall of about seventy-six feet per year.  Granted, these clearly are in fact extremes, there are ways that you can survive, and enjoy, living in Alaska.

            The possibility of living in an igloo in Alaska is an option, but not the norm.  The suburbs and rural areas of Alaska are much like the rest of the lower forty-eight states.  There are houses, town homes, and apartments.  Many homes offer a mudroom, which is necessary for all the snow boots, winter coats, and snow suits for the kids.  Although the cost of living is higher for most things, especially utilities, housing is lower.  If you want to save money on your utility bills, you will benefit from covering your windows with tin foil, an inexpensive way to keep out the everlasting sun during the long days.  Residents of Alaska also receive a Permanent Fund (PFD) each year that you could use towards your heating costs.  Most schools are equipped with stadium lights on the playground so the children can still play outside even after the sun goes down around 3pm.  If you are a fan of homeschooling your children, you will have a lot of support as many families in Alaska home school their children.  You will want to lean to take high steps through the snow so you don’t lose your boots, or you could fashion yourself with some nice snow shoes.  Summer offers midnight fishing as a bonus to the long summer days as well as hunting, so if you are looking for an opportunity for year round hunting, this is the place to be.  Seafood is of an abundance in Alaska and a favorite among the natives since it doesn't have to be shipped up from other states.  Other meats available that you will not have easy access to in other states are bear, moose, caribou, and elk.  If you see a moose, which chances are you will since they are as common as deer are here in Maryland, take a picture from afar.  Do not be fooled to think you can pet the moose.  They are very aggresive and territorial.

            In order to survive an avalanche it would be best to have at least three days of food storage for each member of your family.  An avalanche can occur usually about twenty four hours after about twelve feet of snow drops.  You know an avalanche is nearby if you hear a distant thunder rolling through the mountains.  If you get a bit of cabin fever during the winter months you can always take advantage of the slops.  Skiing and sledding are great for a family activity.  When summer breaks, you can go and check out the State Fair which is offered in June. 

            Although an extreme climate to take on, there are ways you can survive living in Alaska.  I had the opportunity to live there with my family from the ages of five through seven.  No, we didn’t live in an Igloo and I never met an Eskimo, but I do remember getting caught up in the house after an avalanche, attending the State Fair, and even getting my boot stuck in the snow when I didn’t step high enough.  My school was equipped with stadium lighting as well on our school playground and I remember digging fort holes in the piles of snow.  Surviving Alaska is easy if you follow my basic tips.  Pick up some foil, buy a house with a mudroom, and don’t forget to plug your car in at night when those temperatures drop so your car will start in the morning.