Speaking of provisions, the Welcome Center here has a great display of how the natives live here. This is Athabascan Indian territory, but also many of those who are not live off grid as well. The total percentage isn't known, but it is common in this state.
I try to imagine myself living as they do as I learn about a new culture. These are a hardy people who spend their whole summer preparing for winter.
Their shelters consist of a log cabin for winter and a tent for fishing season. They stock their caches with salmon. After salmon season, it's hunting season for moose and elk. Then it's berry season at the end of summer, along with harvesting vegetable gardens in the short growing season. They also gather wood or coal for heat and cooking.
A typical cabin is a single room to heat with just the basics inside. It is chinked with moss, rope or animal hide for insulation. If the snow weren't bad enough, it has gotten down to -72 degrees!
There is no electric, just a wood/coal stove. No indoor plumbing, just an outhouse. No running water, which is a job in itself to either carry from a stream or go into a town to collect it. The Safeway grocery store has an outside faucet for the locals to use in Homer, and I am sure there are places here as well.
A simple canvas tent to use while at "Fish Camp" to lay in the catch for winter.
Outdoor meat caches are used to store it.
High above the ground, hence the ladder to protect it from bears.
Remote roads are not plowed. The only way of getting around in the winter is with dog sleds or snow machines.
It has got to be a long winter with 24 hours of darkness. It's a good thing there are 24 hours of daylight in the summer to take care of all the preparations!
There is also a nice walkway along the beautiful Chena River here.
An interesting entrance to the walkway made of interlocking moose horns.
The Chena River bridge
And a beautiful sculpture water fountain in honor of the Native Alaskan Heritage.
Thank you Sharon for the wonderful commentary of the average life and living condition of the people in Northern Alaska. While driving through the west I too admire the people for living such a difficult life style. Have a safe journey back to the lower 48. See you the end of October.
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