It had been planned for nearly three years in conjunction with our 40th wedding anniversary. One of our bucket list dreams was a cruise-land tour of Alaska, to view all the breathtaking sites of our 49th state and to gain some perspective on our far Northwest fellow Americans.
Off we went on a two-week, late-August trip to the expected much cooler temperatures of Palin country, where on a clear day, Russia was supposedly only a binocular view away.Gliding through the cold waters of Alaska's inside passage, we quickly tossed overboard memories of Tarrant County's three-digit temperatures. Temporarily set aside was the stress of traffic jams, foundation settling issues and verbal confrontations involving American Airlines and their pilots union.The first seven days and nights were the cruise portion of the trip, an ongoing pampering experience by a host of exceptional service providers from all parts of the world. We were determined to walk the stairs, work up a sweat on the fitness machines and hike at ports-of-call to counter our inabilities to consistently say "no" to all the available food.The remaining six days involved the land portion of the trip; access to a variety of towns via travel cruisers and railways with viewings of numerous camera-worthy sites from land, water and air.Tourism is a big deal for Alaska, with less than five months of the year having weather and temperatures suitable for explorations of the extraordinary animal kingdoms and ecosystems. With minor exceptions for most of the smaller towns we visited, guides and other part-time locals pack up and head to the lower 48 for the remainder of the year.I found it fascinating to interact with the gutsy full-time residents who have tossed caution into the wind -- and there's lots of it -- to find areas and lifestyles that they define as much less stressful. They are an adaptive breed of purposely relocated Americans, content to make a go of it in this land of extremes.While moderate during the tourist season, temperatures during a majority of the months for many of the towns we visited average well below freezing, with lows in the serious minus degrees territory.Jennifer is one of those permanent dwellers, a 30-something mobile veterinarian within the small town of Talkeetna. She combines her love for the creatures of the forests with an environmental intensity common among full-timers.Without family in the area, this modern-day version of Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman is building her own 16-by-16-foot home. She lived in a tent within the partially framed home for most of last winter, using a self-constructed "outhouse" and showering at a local restaurant/hostel. Stress? Yes, but happily manageable.The temptation to pack up and spend the livable four or so months in this picturesque portion of North America confronts many travelers. Not a full-fledged move, but just a season or two to gather a whole new perspective.Count us in that group. Variation and unpredictability in our lives has always been the mantra by which we've desired to be defined. Considering the idea while gazing on those beautiful mountains and inhaling the freshest of cool air temporarily blinded us to some realities in life.OK. Here's the deal: How could we afford the costs associated with temporary living arrangements for a third of the year, even if we were able to obtain part-time employment? What about missing out on summer activities involving the grandkiddos?Would the benefits of a controlled "roughing it" experience exceed the pleasurable walks at the Botanic Garden, the availability of so many fine eating establishments in Fort Worth and hands-on access to college and professional athletics?I think not. Let cooler heads prevail. At least for the time being, consider us content with a twist of playful curiosity.David Friant of Fort Worth is a member of the 2012 Star-Telegram Community Columnist Panel. dave.friant@att.netHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
