- As someone from Alaska, I've heard a lot of misconceptions about what life there is really like.
- Many people I meet think Alaska is all wilderness and nature, but our cities are surprisingly urban.
- People are also shocked by how often I would fly — and how common it is to own a small plane.
When I tell people that I was born and raised in Alaska, they almost always respond with a wide-eyed, "Wow! What was that like?" or a comment on how cold it must be there.
I'm always surprised by how little people seem to know about my home state. I've been asked whether there really were 24 hours of darkness all winter, or if we used sled dogs to get around. When I was younger, other kids would ask if we lived in igloos.
Misinformation aside, there are aspects of growing up in the Last Frontier that are unique in comparison to the rest of the US — many of which I didn't realize weren't the norm until I moved away as an adult.
Inclement weather doesn't slow us down.
The first time I headed out for a run during one of Alaska's all-too-common rainy days, my California-born husband was shocked. "But it's raining!" he said.
I've learned that in other parts of the country, bad weather is a big deal. People generally avoid going out in the rain, and a snowstorm can bring entire cities to a halt.
In Alaska, however, it's business as usual, because if you wait for perfect weather, you might be waiting forever.
Winters are long, sometimes upward of six months, and a snowstorm in April or May isn't unheard of. Summers offer almost 24 hours of daylight, and temperatures can hit nearly 80 degrees Fahrenheit, but they can also be extremely rainy, with weeks of drizzle and clouds.
If you want to enjoy outdoor activities, you learn to drive in it, dress for it, and embrace it.
Owning a small plane isn't uncommon and is often necessary.
Believe it or not, there are towns and villages in Alaska that can't be accessed by road. Much of the state is still quite wild, and there are regions that you can only get to by small plane.
I come from a family of bush pilots who homesteaded here when it was still a territory and learned to fly at a young age.
Owning a plane in Alaska isn't considered unusual, and in the summer months, the drone of Cessnas and Super Cubs serves as a backdrop to daily life.
Alaskans like their travel, and it's rare to find someone who has never left the state.
Despite living in one of the country's most remote states, most Alaskans tend to be well-traveled. My kids started racking up frequent flyer miles at an early age.
When I left Alaska, I met a lot of people from the continental US who rarely left their home state — or, if and when they did travel, would drive rather than fly to their destination.
Because Alaska's size makes it difficult to hop in the car and drive to another state, flying is our default mode of transportation for domestic travel. We love to escape during the colder months, and many Alaskans
I know spend lots of time in Hawaii, Southern California, and the Pacific Northwest.
Alaska cities have a surprisingly urban vibe, with tons of art and culture.
Although Alaska's tourism is built on its wildlife and wilderness, visitors to larger cities like Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau will find a vibrant arts scene, five-star restaurants, and a wealth of cultural events and activities.
Alaskans are a creative bunch, with the natural beauty around us serving as inspiration. We not only have robust local theater groups and art galleries, but also have performing arts centers that host touring shows and musical groups.
Alaskan eateries offer a true farm-to-table experience, with many restaurants featuring seafood just pulled from the ocean that day and fresh, seasonal produce.
Add in Alaska's coffee-shop obsession, and you'll be shocked at how metropolitan a small Alaskan city can feel.
I'm pretty confident Alaskans could survive an apocalypse.
As beautiful as it is, Alaska is also deadly. Thanks to its remoteness, weather, and wildlife, most residents learn basic survival skills early on.
Alaska kids grow up camping, hunting, and fishing — I know how to handle firearms, build a fire, and which berries are good to eat.
Most drivers keep a set of jumper cables, a first-aid kit, and extra winter gear in their cars, and many homes have generators in case of power outages.
I kept a go-bag in my closet at all times, full of emergency items and non-perishable food, in case of a catastrophic event that required a quick exit.
Though I don't miss living in a place where it snows half the year, I'm proud that growing up in the far north left me with valuable skills I still use today.
Alaska isn't for the faint of heart, but for me, it will always be home.
