There are many impressions Alaska has made on us. This is the second post in which we share our observations (part one is here). These are things we want to tell people about our adventure here in the “Final Frontier.” The observations are not in any special order. We hope you find them interesting. Feel free to ask us questions or to make comments.
Guests at the dredge
It never got boring hanging out with the guests on the Gold Dredge 8 tour. What made it great? Everyone was on holiday mode! Picture a bunch of happy, excited people ready to strike it rich. People often said the dredge was the highlight of their Alaskan adventure. Teaching folks how to pan for gold was a blast. Sure, most guests struggled at first, but when they finally saw that “flash in the pan,” their faces lit up like they’d just won the lottery. And the best part? Seeing their jaws drop when they realized how much those tiny gold flakes were worth. It doesn’t take much for a few flakes to add up in value!
We got to help guests weigh their gold, explore the dredge, and discover cool artifacts like woolly mammoth tusks in the museum. They were always amazed at the 19-ounce gold nugget and snapped countless pictures holding it. Showing off the six-foot chainsaw used to cut the spring ice for the dredge was always a hit. And let’s not forget Terri’s cookies – everyone loved them and often took a few for the road!
We met people from every continent except Antarctica. Australians were the most frequent foreign guests, always saying, “Australians love to travel.” Fun fact: Australia is home to many of the largest gold nuggets ever found. It was always fun to ask where people were from. If they mentioned New England. South Africa, or Kansas, we’d get all excited talking about places of common experience.
We wrote about our son Zac and his family visiting in June (here). We also had friends from New England passing through. Peter Lawry and Michelle Dunning took the tour, as well as Perry and Jill Seale. It’s great to help those we know pan for gold and share in the adventure with us.
Vastness of undeveloped land
Alaska’s wilderness is a realm of unparalleled vastness and beauty, stretching across millions of acres of untamed landscapes. From the towering peaks of the Alaska Range to the expansive tundra of the Arctic interior, we were constantly in awe. The sheer scale of wilderness areas like Denali National Park and Preserve, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, and the Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve offer a sense of remoteness that’s hard to find elsewhere. Driving countless miles without utility poles, road signs, or industrial complexes is very satisfying for the soul – it’s like God saying, “Focus on the wonders of life. Every smell of rain, sound of trees rustling, sight of a bird taking flight, texture of a rock, and taste of mountain blueberries are part of a grand scheme."
Exploring Alaska’s wilderness means encountering remote rivers, glaciers, and forests that seem to stretch endlessly. Take the Denali Highway, for instance – it’s a scenic route through some of the state’s most remote and breathtaking areas. Alaska’s wilderness invites everyone to experience nature in its rawest, most untouched form. The land east and west of the north/south running Dalton Highway is completely void of civilization as far as the eye can see and beyond.
Experiencing the vastness of Alaska’s wilderness can profoundly shift one’s perspective on urban life. Surrounded by vistas filled with rolling hills, landscapes, and the tranquil sounds of nature, the hustle and bustle of bigger cities can feel overwhelming and intrusive. The serene beauty of Alaska’s untouched wilderness, with its glacier rivers, mountains, lakes, and forests, offers a stark contrast to the noise, pollution, and crowded streets of urban environments.
The simplicity and purity of life in the wild can make the complexities and artificiality of city life seem less appealing. After days spent gazing upon untouched landscapes, the idea of returning to a concrete jungle filled with traffic, rows of buildings, and utility lines might evoke a sense of distaste. The peace and solitude found in Alaska’s vast wilderness can create a longing for a simpler, more connected existence, far removed from the chaos of modern city living.
Don’t get us wrong, we still enjoy our creature comforts. It’s nice being able to regulate heat and cold with modern conveniences. It’s nice to have internet and connect with our loved ones. We don’t need to build fires to cook. We travel in a Ram truck with heated seats and a comfortable interior, safely enclosed to protect us from mosquito infestations. We realize just how ill-equipped and inexperienced we are at surviving in the vast outdoors. Our minimal survival skills don’t prevent us from appreciating the beauty of the wilderness frontier and the raw ruggedness of nature.
Continual Daylight
It wasn’t until late August that we finally witnessed our first sunset and sunrise in Alaska. Before that, we were enveloped in continuous daylight. At two in the morning, it might look like late dusk or early dawn, but it was still light out. This meant we never had to navigate unfamiliar roads in the dark. We could arrive at our destination at midnight without ever needing to turn on our headlights. Surprisingly, it didn’t take long to adjust. Being awake during the day felt natural, even if the sun was still shining when we went to bed, peeking around the edges of our darkened curtains. Experiencing the land of the midnight sun was quite pleasant. However, the opposite in winter would be challenging. For instance, on December 22, the shortest day of the year, twilight begins at 9:29 AM, sunrise at 10:45 AM, sunset at 2:50 PM, and twilight ends at 4:08 PM.
The constant daylight was like having a taste of eternity – as it says in the Bible, "And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illuminate them; and they will reign forever and ever." We could explore endlessly without worrying about the dark. But it also played tricks on our sense of time. We’d find ourselves staying up at what felt like noon, only to realize it was actually 10 PM! We couldn’t help but wonder how we’d cope with the long, dark winters. The thought of only a few hours of daylight in December made us appreciate visiting Fairbanks in the summer. Many locals say the cold isn’t as bad as the long hours of darkness.
Work is Work and Play
There is one part of our Alaskan adventure that we are looking forward to ending, and that is the part with work. Though the tasks are not unpleasant, nor drudgery, sweeping and mopping floors, drying the seats on the train in rainy weather, or emptying multiple trash cans are not highlights of our time here. We won’t miss waking up for work in the morning, clocking in and out, and all the stuff that comes with a job. No matter the location or the occupation, every job is a job and work is work.
What we will miss is being at Gold Dredge 8. The operation of the dredge as a tour is first-class. We had a blast working alongside the other employees. The team camaraderie made being there enjoyable. We felt true caring from the leadership. Working with many young people reminded us of our days as camp directors. The staff makes the work seem like play.
Driving a narrow-gauge train with a couple hundred passengers is never boring, even if it is a replica – it’s play. Teaching people how to pan for gold is challenging work because it’s their first time doing it, and the techniques require a certain finesse. But when they finally see the flash in the pan and get all excited, it’s play. Hearing how much people enjoy the cookies is always a treat.
We continually learned new things we didn’t know. Some of it was historical, and other things were about living with the challenges in the unique land of Alaska. Working at a gold mine, even though it is no longer active, is pretty cool.
Alaskans
Alaskans take immense pride in their state, largely due to its breathtaking natural beauty and vast wilderness. Living amidst towering mountains, pristine rivers, and expansive forests, they develop a deep connection to the land. This rugged environment fosters a strong sense of independence and resilience, as residents adapt to the challenges of remote living and harsh winters. Not everyone has crazy survival skills, but the Alaskans we met are hard workers willing to face the task of getting a job done.
Additionally, unique experiences like witnessing the Northern Lights and participating in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race further enhance their pride, offering opportunities that are truly one-of-a-kind. These elements combine to create a distinctive Alaskan identity that residents cherish and celebrate.
During the summer, Alaska sees a significant influx of visitors. In 2022, approximately 2.7 million visitors traveled to Alaska. Given that Alaska’s population is around 733,391, the ratio of visitors to residents during the summer is roughly 3.7 to 1. This means that for every Alaskan resident, there are about 3.7 visitors exploring the state during the peak tourist season. Although it is not the highest visitor-to-resident ratio, it is significant (Hawaii is 6.7:1 and Nevada is a whopping 12.5:1).
Alaskans are a closely-knit community. If someone is stopped on the side of the road, they stop to make sure all is well. They look out for each other because they know it is necessary for survival. All the Alaskans we know have stories about how they were helped in times of need and how they helped others in return.
Of all the things that impressed us the most about Alaska, we’d have to say that the people are at the top of the list. They are truly unique individuals with a genuine sense of community.
Dinner with Betty, our friend and host for the past five months.
Final Thoughts
We were hesitant at the beginning of our decision about coming to Alaska to work for five months. It’s a long time. We knew it would be a challenge, yet exciting.
Living in Alaska for five months is a completely different experience than visiting for a few weeks. When you stay for an extended period, you get to witness the dramatic changes in the landscape and weather, from the endless daylight of summer to the crisp, colorful fall. You become part of the community, learning the rhythms of daily life and the unique challenges that come with living in such a remote and rugged place. You have the time to explore off-the-beaten-path locations, discover hidden gems, and truly immerse yourself in the Alaskan way of life. In contrast, a few weeks might give you a taste of the adventure, but it’s just enough to scratch the surface. Living there allows you to experience the true essence of Alaska, from the camaraderie of the locals to the awe-inspiring beauty that changes with the seasons.
Now, as our adventure comes to an end, we have no regrets. We miss our loved ones back in Washington and look forward to being reunited soon. In a couple of days, Alaska will be in our rear-view mirror, but the mark the people and the land have made on our lives will stay with us forever.
Comentarios