ok, so today has been a weird friggin' day!
First, we got orders (USCG) today- next duty station is in Cordova, AK (4th pick out of 8)... and, man, are we excited! We've wanted to go up to AK for many years, and now the govt is paying US to go!
Then it decides to snow on us, which is rare here 'cause we live in a rain shadow... I made the hubby go out and salt the driveway/sidewalks... I'm not about to bust my a$$ tomorrow!
So, for you Alaskans (or anyone else who's been there), any pointers/advice... any things that we MUST do while in Alaska? We'll be there for 3 yrs, at least.
Now I'm off to fatten up & gain some insulation for the cold up there! j/k
"The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his dog. . . .He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer; he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounter with the roughness of the world. . . .When all other friends desert, he remains." --- George G Vest
Do you want a laundry list of things to do here in AK? When you get here pick up a 'Milepost'. It will be a bit spendy, though well worth it. A beefy guide of lodging and travel info. I have lived in Anchorage area for 30 years. I can say living here isn't that bad. Yes, it does get cold, we get snow, and have moose in our front yards. Have to mention plenty of places to fish in the summer time. for the seasons you either want plenty of warm clothes or plenty of bug dope.
Wow, I would love to go back up there, at least for a visit. I lived in Kodiak for a year and Kenai for 6 years. If you love the outdoors there is TONS to do!
My favorite trip was when we lived in Kodiak. We took the ferry to Homer, drove up to Anchorage, then up to Fairbanks, stopping at Mt McKinley, via A3, then back down to Anchorage via A4. The scenery and outdoors was just awesome. Fishing, camping, hiking, rafting, etc....there is just nothing that compares anywhere else in the world (well maybe there is something in Canada, lol).
I think, living in Cordova, you may be isolated via land routes and have to either fly in/out or take the ferry to Valdez.
One thing I would point out, in general, the people up there are some of the most down to earth, friendly, helpful and likable folks you will ever meet. Sure there are the exceptions, especially in the big towns of Anchorage and Fairbanks, but in general, especially the smaller places like Kodiak, Kenai, Homer, Valdez, Cordova, etc. they are great
Also, because Cordova is on the south coast, it won't get tooooo bad temperature-wise! Probably lots of snow though!
Do you want a laundry list of things to do here in AK? When you get here pick up a 'Milepost'. It will be a bit spendy, though well worth it. A beefy guide of lodging and travel info. I have lived in Anchorage area for 30 years. I can say living here isn't that bad. Yes, it does get cold, we get snow, and have moose in our front yards. Have to mention plenty of places to fish in the summer time. for the seasons you either want plenty of warm clothes or plenty of bug dope.
yeah, a buddy of our's told us about the MilePost... think it comes out in March?
The hubby is already looking at what to do with his boat (17' aluminum hull, mainly used here for dumping crab pots and fishing)... he's not sure yet if the area around Cordova is suitable for his boat or if he should sell it and possibly upgrade to a much-larger one, or just not worry about it at all... he's gonna talk to some of the Coasties up there and see what people are running.
We are planning on being up there around mid-to-end of May (he reports by June 1st).
We are anxiously awaiting taking the FJ out in the wilderness and hitting up some trails... I wish we could leave tomorrow We just need to know where the 'good' places are...
And since Cordova is such a small, isolated town, I doubt I'll need a set of Blizzaks or studded tires since I won't be going many places in the dead of winter.... just hook me up with some snowshoes or my YakTraks and I'm golden but I could be wrong!
"The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his dog. . . .He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer; he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounter with the roughness of the world. . . .When all other friends desert, he remains." --- George G Vest
Wow, I would love to go back up there, at least for a visit. I lived in Kodiak for a year and Kenai for 6 years. If you love the outdoors there is TONS to do!
My favorite trip was when we lived in Kodiak. We took the ferry to Homer, drove up to Anchorage, then up to Fairbanks, stopping at Mt McKinley, via A3, then back down to Anchorage via A4. The scenery and outdoors was just awesome. Fishing, camping, hiking, rafting, etc....there is just nothing that compares anywhere else in the world (well maybe there is something in Canada, lol).
I think, living in Cordova, you may be isolated via land routes and have to either fly in/out or take the ferry to Valdez.
One thing I would point out, in general, the people up there are some of the most down to earth, friendly, helpful and likable folks you will ever meet. Sure there are the exceptions, especially in the big towns of Anchorage and Fairbanks, but in general, especially the smaller places like Kodiak, Kenai, Homer, Valdez, Cordova, etc. they are great
Also, because Cordova is on the south coast, it won't get tooooo bad temperature-wise! Probably lots of snow though!
A friend of our's (retired Coastie) was stationed in Cordova back in the 70's and loved it there... which I'm sure a lot has changed since then
He said, back then, it was very isolated (doesn't bother me, I don't like lots of crazy people anyway! ), and Alaska in general, is like no place in the world- people and scenery are just amazing.
My understanding is that there are roads out of Cordova, but they don't lead to anything, well major roads, but lead into the mtns.... I think the ferry from Valdez is the only way out...
we still have some 'homework' to do
It could be a hole in the wall- I don't really care... not many people have bragging rights to Alaska... and I can't wait...
funny thing is, from people I've met who are from there/lived there awhile/visited, it is a lot like the Texas thing (I'm from TX ), meaning that there is this, well, loyalty/pride to being affiliated to the state... you just don't see that anywhere else
"The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his dog. . . .He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer; he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounter with the roughness of the world. . . .When all other friends desert, he remains." --- George G Vest
Very cool! When you get there, don't forget about us and post some pics on your way there (unless you're flying)
p.s. We support the troops and appreciate what you are doing for us.
there's no way i'd put the FJ on a freighter and ship it to Alaska!!! I myself was in the Coast Guard and did many inspections on those ships... just like I'm very reluctant to take a cruise and I also swore I'd never do a cross-country move again (like we did in '06: east coast to west coast- 3K miles), but yet we're moving 2400 miles away in a few months
We'll be driving all the way. We thought about hopping on the ferry from Bellingham and riding it up, but we wanna do some sightseeing along the way... our dogs are getting up in age and we wanna expose them to as much as we can before they pass on
oh, and you bet I'll post some pics! you guys are gonna be sick of me and our travels!
"The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his dog. . . .He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer; he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounter with the roughness of the world. . . .When all other friends desert, he remains." --- George G Vest
The 2008 Milepost is due in March, though on Amazon you can get a 2007. Its cool you are taking the Ferry up. I wouldn't want to see your windshield repair bills after driving the ALCAN Hwy.
I have never been to Cordova, so I'm not the best information giver for there. It will save you gas if you were able to snowshoe though, it might be a bit tough getting groceries home :P
It's amazing how some stateside folks stare at you in amazement when they find out that you are from AK. I had one gal going that we lived in Igloos, mushed dogsled everywhere, ate muktuk (frozen whale blubber), and our pet was a polar bear. :LOL: the look was priceless.
BTW if you plan on spending a night in Bellingham stay away from the Days Inn. The bathrooms are not very clean (mold).
Moving to Cordova, AK... brrrrrr!!!!
We've wanted to go up to AK for many years, and now the govt is paying US to go! 
j/k 
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