The Alaskan Adventure - Volume 1 - Preparation
Well I've been talking about my move, my trip, and my adventure for a little over two months now. It has been exciting to share my newfound discoveries about Mountain Village, the people, it's school, the wildlife and the new experiences I'll be having.
What I haven't shared is the arduous and eye-opening preparation that takes place when you do pick up and move to another state, one where you are flown in on a small plane and essentially start over. I recently shared this scenario with some friends and family regarding what it is actually like to make a move like this one, possible.
Assuming you don't have a living situation that you will return to, use your imagination and here is what you need to do. Take all of your large furniture, wall art, knickknacks and miscellaneous items, from every room in your house, upstairs and down, and either put them in storage or sell them. Now take two suitcases and fill them with everything you think you will need (necessities) for the next 3-4 weeks, and remember that each suitcase cannot weigh more than 50-pounds. This would be clothes, shoes, toiletries, shower curtains, bedding and any kitchen or personal items you would normally use the most. Whatever you can't fit into those two 50-pound (or less) suitcases, that you know you will need, you will have to ship at a very lofty price. That is, considering you're taking a job in the far, western side of Alaska.
That is what I have been having to figure out for the last two months and more intensely in the last week. This is especially accurate considering I was procrastinating due to being overwhelmed and new to the process. If I could actually bring the amount of suitcases you see in the photo above, I would be a very happy traveler, but...ah...no...not going to happen. Some good news is that I will be able to have a 'shopping' day in Anchorage the second week I am there during inservice and professional development, which will allow me to have an empty suitcase to fill with necessities I couldn't squeeze in back in Wisconsin.
It has been a challenge, but a very welcomed one. After kneeling down on and squeezing each suitcase with every ounce of energy I have, I am proud to say that both came in under the 50-pound limit. I do have a few boxes to ship, but am comforted by the fact that what remains are my winter clothes and I have about six or seven weeks to get them there before the cold enters every possible cell in my body.
I have to admit that the most difficult part of preparation is saying goodbye to family and friends. And you don't really say goodbye, because you know that you'll be returning in some capacity the following summer. However, my son said it best, "What will be tough Dad, is that I just can't hop in a car and come across town to see you like I can now." He could...in 2-days and 7-hours, which is how long it takes to get to Anchorage, Alaska from Milwaukee, but not like the short commute we're used to now. It's even hard not to get emotional as I write this. If you didn't know this about me already, I am a 'very' emotional guy. I wear my heart on my sleeve. I am truly fortunate to have a wonderful and loving family, and an equally amazing group of friends and people who support me, that goes far beyond what I could have ever imagined having. It's just sad that there isn't enough time to be able to get together with everyone, to have those one-on-one, personal moments to say goodbye. I wish I could.
Besides missing friends and family, people have asked me what are some things that I’ll miss. In no particular order, I’ll miss sharing my birthday and upcoming holidays with family and friends, movies and popcorn in a theater, hanging out at the Wisconsin State Fair, going out to dinner at many of Milwaukee’s great restaurants, taking walks by Lake Michigan, eating brats fresh off the grill, having an occasional beer with friends, and seeing and listening to great, outdoor music.
The last of my preparation was enjoying a few of my favorite things here in Wisconsin before I hop on the plane August 1st. Including, but not limited to my list, was taking in a couple Milwaukee Brewers baseball games, going to watch some live bands/music, having a few more bottles of my current favorite beer Spotted Cow, eating some Wisconsin brats/bratwurst, and spending time around some of southern Wisconsin's best lakes.
I'll be back to you next...as an Alaskan!
Stay tuned...