I recently moved across the country. I wanted my daughter and I to be closer to nature and I felt stagnant where I was. I traveled halfway across America in a Ford Focus with my daughter and my dog. I then rode a ferryboat to an island off the Alaskan coast. Dogs weren’t allowed in the cabin rooms, so I snuck her in through a carry on bag.
The change was scary at first and I was overwhelmed at how different the people here were. I was used to apartment living and having people constantly knocking at my door. My daughter had at least one friend over every day. Now we are living in a home and have visitors only for planned play dates. What a relief. This has taken my stress level from maximum to minimum. Now my daughter actually enjoys school and her new friends. She has started some after school programs like swimming and is actually good at it. I can’t believe what a difference it has made on us. I believe everyone should be able to experience a place like this. I actually feel safe for once in my life. The people are friendly and kind. It feels like I went back in time. Everyone has pets and bikes and most of the people have wood burning stoves for heat. People ride their bikes or walk all over town. There is hardly any traffic and the maximum speed limit on the island is 40 mph. People drive cautiously and are aware of their fellow Americans on the road and the sidewalk.
I made it to a place where I honestly feel like a stranger cares about your safety. What a wonderful change. I have discovered a place I didn’t know existed. Here I am on top of a mountain looking at views I never knew could be seen. It is absolutely breathtaking! I now wake up in the morning, look out my window, take in a deep breath of fresh air, and thank god I’m here. I have traveled across the world in the military and never have my eyes seen anything like this. I spent six months on the ocean and I have never seen anything like what I see here. The wildlife is spectacular. Sea otters and sea lions and humpback whales are everywhere. I thought the bald eagle was going extinct. There are millions of them here. There are seagulls and puffins and when I get up in the morning, there are birds everywhere.
Wild berries and flowers grow everywhere. I made jam out of the blueberries and huckleberries—if you knew me, you would be amazed. I was a city girl and had never made anything before. I started cooking from cookbooks. There aren’t any fast food restaurants on the island. No Burger King or Arby’s, not even chain sit downs like Applebee’s. I found a new love for the earth and the people in it. I would have to recommend a visit to this wonderful island. If you’re ever planning a vacation, I highly recommend southeast Alaska. Plan it with your husband; there is plenty of fishing and hunting. It rains a lot so pack a raincoat and waterproof boots and don’t forget your camera! See you in Sitka by the sea.
