Earth Painted Perspectives

#82 - Is this the most mysterious State in the USA?

“And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.”
―John Muir

Our Earth is Hue-Manity's shared home. She enables and sustains the life of all living beings, entangling us in a vibrating web of inseparable connection.

The location where a Hue-Man spends their formative years has a significant impact on their perception of the world.

Their environment, culture, and early experiences shape values, beliefs, and attitudes, leaving a lasting impression on their personality.

I desire to know how Hue-Mans everywhere see the world and each other. Because in sharing our unique experiences, we exchange previously unimaginable perspectives.

I’ve lived on The Coast, in The City, in Horse Country, Silicon Valley, and in the Land of Corn and Soy. But I don’t feel ready to stop exploring people and places yet. The North calls my name like a long forgotten friend in the distance, beckoning a heart-carried invitation.

In this new T.H.E. Series, we're exploring intriguing places where people live around the world. And we'll start with the Northernmost US State, whose mystery has fascinated me as long as I can remember.

Auke Lake - Juneau, Alaska - Kathrine Coonjohn, 2019

“The Last Frontier”

Have you ever dreamed about visiting Alaska? Or watched one of those shows about homesteaders who gruel alone through isolated winters in remote areas? Like that badass, Sue Aikens. You know her, yeah?

What would it feel like, living in a tiny cabin where your wood stove is god for 6 months of the year? Getting by on whatever you were able to put up in preparation for the freeze?

Or to walk the wild woods with a sidearm, in case a Brown Bear should try to have you for lunch.

Alaska is a State which offers a wide array of lifestyle accommodations, depending on how deep into The Wild you'd like to get.

Here are 3 things you might not know about The Last Frontier State…

Rod Long, 2018

3 Fascinating Facts about Alaska.

1. The State is HUGE, and features 14 Mountain Ranges, over 3,000 Rivers, and 3 Million Lakes. it also boasts over 34,000 miles of Coastline, which is more than the rest of the United States Combined.

   1. Florida comes in 2nd place with 8,436 miles of Coastline, just 25% of The Last Frontier State.

   2. Alaska is so big, California, Texas, and Montana could fit together within its borders with extra spare room left over.

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2. There is a place called Utqiagvik, formerly known as Barrow, which stays dark for 2 months of the year.

   1. When the Sun sets on November 18, for 66 days it stays no less than 6 degrees below the horizon, creating a Polar Night Period, until January 23rd.

   2. Yet, around May 10th, a phenomenon called The Midnight Sun occurs, where the Sun does not again dip below the horizon for 83 days, lighting the sky 24 hours per day.

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3. Alaska is still largely unexplored territory, due to its incredible size and wild nature.

   1. With over 70% of the state not accessible by road, small aircraft is the most common way to reach remote areas.

   2. Because of this, there are still vast swaths of untouched land dominated by a thriving Wildlife Population.

   3. But don’t assume you can still freely claim a remote plot of public land for yourself, because the 1862 Homestead Act ended on October 21, 1986.

      1. There are still areas of Alaska reserved for Remote Cabin Purchase, but there is a lottery system, and a years long process to go through first.

Drop a ❤️ on this article, and please leave a comment below, with any other interesting facts you know about Alaska.

I would especially love to learn more about Natural Winter Survival from Indigenous Alaskan Tribes.

Anchorage, AK - Zetong Li, 2019

Leaving with some questions

These are some of the questions I ask myself when I dream about exploring The Last Frontier.

1. How does Alaska compare to where you grew up, and where you live now? How do you think your life would change if you were to move there?

   1. How would it become better, and how would it become more difficult?

2. How do you think people from Alaska view the rest of the United States?

3. Do you think you could handle living in remote isolation, relying on your direct constant communion with Mother Nature to survive?

   1. How do you think your view of yourself would evolve if you decided to go for it?

Drop a line in the comments below to let us know if you enjoyed this new explorative content. And feel free to suggest another place you’d like to see T.H.E. cover in the future.

Until next week, my friend—have fun out there.

Sources:

1. BLM.gov

2. Wikipedia on Utqiagvik

3. Grayline Alaska

4. Mens Journal

5. Must Read Alaska