(Topic ID: 220055)
Wasilla, AK
1 week later
I have dreamed about living in Alaska since highschool.
Originally studied three years of natural resources at college in order to work in the National parks up that way, but left and started down the route of HVAC trade.
In about three years, when I get all my licenses, I plan on leaving Connecticut. I still find myself looking at realtor and Zillow for listings in Wasilla, Anchorage and Fairbanks every few weeks, along with companies hiring HVAC techs.
I was curious to see what your opinion is on the viability of a mid 20's kid being able to move up that way and etch a comfortable living?
I have weighed out considerations such as climate, commute, dark/light cycles, and long distance family relations. Any other ideas for things I should consider?
Thank you guys so much for posting these pictures. They are truly inspiring!
I have always enjoyed looking at snow capped mountain peaks. I never really thought about how cool it would be to watch that happen. But sadly like Fall colors on the trees it is a reminder of what is coming. Keep the pictures coming! One of these days I would love to come visit!
Quoted from StupidJackpot:I have dreamed about living in Alaska since highschool.
Originally studied three years of natural resources at college in order to work in the National parks up that way, but left and started down the route of HVAC trade.
In about three years, when I get all my licenses, I plan on leaving Connecticut. I still find myself looking at realtor and Zillow for listings in Wasilla, Anchorage and Fairbanks every few weeks, along with companies hiring HVAC techs.
I was curious to see what your opinion is on the viability of a mid 20's kid being able to move up that way and etch a comfortable living?
I have weighed out considerations such as climate, commute, dark/light cycles, and long distance family relations. Any other ideas for things I should consider?
Thank you guys so much for posting these pictures. They are truly inspiring!
As far as making a decent income, AK has plenty of opportunities. Lots of people work on rotational cycles up north on the "slope". They essentially work 12 hours days 7 days a week and will do 2 weeks / 2 weeks off or 3 on 1 off. They make very good wages and the time off seems nice. I couldn't do it with having kids and all, but some do. Companies will pay the flights to and fro, so you can live about anywhere. I personally do not care for Fairbanks but love the areas around Anchorage. Fairbanks gets very hot in summer and really cold in winter and the views are not as nice. I suggest taking a trip, but you will likely fall in love and not want to leave. Summers are perfect with the long days. Winter is long but beautiful. Northern lights are a treat as well.
Quoted from too-many-pins:I have always enjoyed looking at snow capped mountain peaks. I never really thought about how cool it would be to watch that happen. But sadly like Fall colors on the trees it is a reminder of what is coming. Keep the pictures coming! One of these days I would love to come visit!
Yeah, you can see old man winter creep down the mountain.
Come on up! I could show you around. Just need a flight to Anchorage.
cdnpinbacon reported that the jelly and jam made it safely. He can add his opinion on the fireweed jelly, but he said he liked all of them. I would say it is similar to a honey taste.
Alcona, ON
Hey Tomass! Finally got my hands on some home town syrup! I'll pm you the track nbr tomorrow. The jelly is fantastic. Fresh Alaskan Jelly. Sweet and spreads like butter. I gave away a few jars and have every Saturday morning coffee and toast. I would market and sell it. I didn't get a chance to try the blueberry because my crazy in law sister grabbed it!
Packing the box tonight!
Hockey season starts tonight
I bought a pinball machine today
Now packing a present for you!
It's Christmas in Canada
Quoted from cdnpinbacon:Packing the box tonight!
Hockey season starts tonight
I bought a pinball machine today
Now packing a present for you!
It's Christmas in Canada
Awesome! Thanks man!
Every location in the world has its own growing zone. Alaskan Jelly not same as replicated elsewhere . I'll keep buying it
Quoted from Tomass:As far as making a decent income, AK has plenty of opportunities. Lots of people work on rotational cycles up north on the "slope". They essentially work 12 hours days 7 days a week and will do 2 weeks / 2 weeks off or 3 on 1 off. They make very good wages and the time off seems nice. I couldn't do it with having kids and all, but some do. Companies will pay the flights to and fro, so you can live about anywhere. I personally do not care for Fairbanks but love the areas around Anchorage. Fairbanks gets very hot in summer and really cold in winter and the views are not as nice. I suggest taking a trip, but you will likely fall in love and not want to leave. Summers are perfect with the long days. Winter is long but beautiful. Northern lights are a treat as well.
Thanks for the feedback, and sorry for the week to reply back (got pretty sick).
My fear is never wanting to leave after a trip too, but it's a great fear to have! 
Quoted from cdnpinbacon:I shipped out a box to Tomass but I must come clean...I ate the ketchup doritos
Nice! Thanks man!
Quoted from cdnpinbacon:Everyone took the jelly..except my small jar all i have left .
Great cultural exchange!
Nice! Can't wait to enjoy some real maple syrup.
So my syrup thawed and I got to taste it. Real maple syrup is not new to me, having spent an entire career in foodservice as well as having been to maple syrup festivals where they make it fresh, but that is seriously THE best stuff I have ever tried! I gave my wife some on a spoon and all she said was "OH WOW!" Thanks again cdnpinbacon !
Quoted from cdnpinbacon:Cultural exchange a success!!
Looking forward to my lake freezing...can get to my buddy's place alot faster on a snow mobile![quoted image]
Nice pic! We had a few snowflakes falling today. Nothing recordable, but it is coming soon.
Went to the reindeer farm for their fall event for kids yesterday. Had a perfect day and it climbed to mid 40s. The last hoorah before the long winter. They have a petting zoo, hay rides, games, a maze, horse rides and other small things kids enjoy. Got some nice pics of the bull elk too.
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2 weeks later
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We had a northern lights show, so bright my wife saw it on the security camera. I might try to get it into a file to show. It is black and white but still pretty crazy.
On another note, we had unheard of weather last week. I think it almost hit 40 degrees....today, not so much.
Screenshot_20200104-065759_One UI Home (resized).jpgI worked in Prudhoe Bay during the building of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Lived in mild Seattle all my life. First arrival in Prudhoe bay was in February... -59 degrees with a chill factor of -95. Dark of course. Was like being on a different planet!
Quoted from Freeplay40:I worked in Prudhoe Bay during the building of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Lived in mild Seattle all my life. First arrival in Prudhoe bay was in February... -59 degrees with a chill factor of -95. Dark of course. Was like being on a different planet!
Yeah, that is beyond cold. Somewhere around -20 your nose feels sticky from the moisture in your breath freezing when you inhale.
Quoted from hepgeek:It’s been one helluva winter. New Year’s Eve hit 43 at my house around noon, then 10 inches of snow that night, now it’s -10.
Yeah, very strange indeed. High is supposed to be -6 and we already were lower than the low this morn, so I think I will just stay inside today.
Screenshot_20200104-130906_Weather (resized).jpgHeading to Anchorage in a few weeks. Any places to play or new breweries to check out? I was last in Anchorage 3 years ago.
I’d recommend Anchorage Brewing and King Street Brewing. Maybe check out Cynosure and/or Resolution if you’ve got time for smaller boutique places. Their beers can be hit-or-miss. Matanuska Brewing or 49th State if you wanna hit the big corporate places with wide variety.
Best place to play is Chilkoot Charlie’s. Divey bar, but some local collectors have pins and vids in the back.
Quoted from hepgeek:I’d recommend Anchorage Brewing and King Street Brewing. Maybe check out Cynosure and/or Resolution if you’ve got time for smaller boutique places. Their beers can be hit-or-miss. Matanuska Brewing or 49th State if you wanna hit the big corporate places with wide variety.
Best place to play is Chilkoot Charlie’s. Divey bar, but some local collectors have pins and vids in the back.
Thanks for the post! Been to several of the places you noted. Probably start out with the boutique ones as they typically have heavier beers I find. Whereas the "corporate ones" tend to make 90% IPAs, which I am not a fan of!
Quoted from meSz:Heading to Anchorage in a few weeks. Any places to play or new breweries to check out? I was last in Anchorage 3 years ago.
Not a drinker, so I can't really give good advice here. At least there will be a little more Daylight then. We are up to 6 1/2 hours of sun up now. It is nice to still have some light at 4:30 in the afternoon, but still a long ways to go. With the darkness and temps, this is the toughest time of year to stay in good spirits.
Quoted from Sonic:Heading to Anchorage this July for my 50th - can't wait!
Nice! So many things to see. You could spend the summer here and never get bored. Don't know your situation, but here are some of my favorite places to see:
1) The drive from Anc to Seward is one of the scenic drives in North America. Seward is small but absolutely beautiful scenery. It also has the Exit glacier just outside of town, and worth the trip.
2) If you have time, Whittier is on that same route and worth the detour. There is a shared 2 1/2 mile tunnel that you need to time. It alternates traffic in each direction, as it is 1 lane, and also shares turns with trains. It also closes at night, so make sure to be on the right side when it does. Great view of Portage glacier before the tunnel too.
3) Driving up the Glenn Hiway (US1), gives access to the Matanuska glacier, which you can drive to and even hike on. This trip is also very scenic the entire way.
4) Talkeetna is a little tourist town that all our visitors love when we take them there. It is like frontier town from Cedar Point, with little shops. Great view of Denali on a clear day too.
5) Denali park is amazing as well, if you travel that far out. If you can spend an entire day on one of their tour busses, bring a good camera. You will see tons of wildlife.
Some spots closer to Anchorage are:
1) Flat top mountain is right in Anc, and worth seeing.
2) A little north, Eklutna lake is another great spot to visit.
3) Going south, Girdwood is pretty cool as well. It is where Alyeska ski resort is.
4) One of my favorite spots to take the family is Hatcher Pass. The road over the pass is open from July-Oct, and ends in Willow if you start on the Palmer/Wasilla side. It is worth the drive even if this road is closed. The Palmer side is well paved with some bathroom facilities and such, and the Willow side is less developed.
These are only a few suggestions but the possibilities are endless. I am sure you will find it to be an awesome trip. July will have more daylight than you know what to do with. You will still be able to see during the darkest part of the night. It is like 2 hours of sunset, right into 2 hours of sunrise. If you are looking for specific activities, reach out for advice. The locals on here and myself can point you in the right direction. Some of the best spots are not on the regular tourist itineraries.
Quoted from Tomass:Nice! So many things to see. You could spend the summer here and never get bored. Don't know your situation, but here are some of my favorite places to see:
1) The drive from Anc to Seward is one of the scenic drives in North America. Seward is small but absolutely beautiful scenery. It also has the Exit glacier just outside of town, and worth the trip.
2) If you have time, Whittier is on that same route and worth the detour. There is a shared 2 1/2 mile tunnel that you need to time. It alternates traffic in each direction, as it is 1 lane, and also shares turns with trains. It also closes at night, so make sure to be on the right side when it does. Great view of Portage glacier before the tunnel too.
3) Driving up the Glenn Hiway (US1), gives access to the Matanuska glacier, which you can drive to and even hike on. This trip is also very scenic the entire way.
4) Talkeetna is a little tourist town that all our visitors love when we take them there. It is like frontier town from Cedar Point, with little shops. Great view of Denali on a clear day too.
5) Denali park is amazing as well, if you travel that far out. If you can spend an entire day on one of their tour busses, bring a good camera. You will see tons of wildlife.
Some spots closer to Anchorage are:
1) Flat top mountain is right in Anc, and worth seeing.
2) A little north, Eklutna lake is another great spot to visit.
3) Going south, Girdwood is pretty cool as well. It is where Alyeska ski resort is.
4) One of my favorite spots to take the family is Hatcher Pass. The road over the pass is open from July-Oct, and ends in Willow if you start on the Palmer/Wasilla side. It is worth the drive even if this road is closed. The Palmer side is well paved with some bathroom facilities and such, and the Willow side is less developed.
These are only a few suggestions but the possibilities are endless. I am sure you will find it to be an awesome trip. July will have more daylight than you know what to do with. You will still be able to see during the darkest part of the night. It is like 2 hours of sunset, right into 2 hours of sunrise. If you are looking for specific activities, reach out for advice. The locals on here and myself can point you in the right direction. Some of the best spots are not on the regular tourist itineraries.
Thanks so much for the fantastic suggestions - we've been planning on what to do and this is perfect. I'll hit up you again soon for more info - perhaps you could PM me as well - perhaps exchange phone #'s....
Quoted from Sonic:Thanks so much for the fantastic suggestions - we've been planning on what to do and this is perfect. I'll hit up you again soon for more info - perhaps you could PM me as well - perhaps exchange phone #'s....
Absolutely. Contact me and I will help if I can. Sending you my number now.
1 week later
2 weeks ago we could see a hint of light coming up on the horizon as we drove to church just before 9 am. Last week it was almost a sunrise, and this week it was! Looking forward to some longer days. At the peak, we gain about 9 minutes a day.
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