What is life like in Alaska? A native Alaskan debunks popular myths
When I say that I was born and raised in Alaska, I almost always hear a surprised: “Wow! How was that?” or a comment about how cold it must be there.
I'm always surprised how little people know about my home state. I was asked if it was really 24-hour darkness there in winter or if we used dog sleds to get around. When I was a child, other children asked if we lived in an igloo.
Disinformation aside, growing up on the so-called the last frontier had its own unique characteristics compared to the rest of the US — I realized many of them only when I moved out of there as an adult.
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Bad weather doesn't stop us When I lived in Alaska, rain and snow rarely interrupted my daily activities
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Jody Ellis
The first time I went out for a run on one of Alaska's frequent rainy days, my husband — a California native — was shocked. “But it's raining!” – he said.
I realized that in other parts of the country, bad weather is a serious matter. People usually avoid going out in the rain, and a snowstorm can paralyze entire cities.
In Alaska, however, life goes on as normal, because If you wait for perfect weather, you may wait forever.
Winters are long—sometimes lasting more than six months—and snow in April or May is no surprise. Summers offer almost 24 hours of daylight and temperatures can reach almost 27 degrees Celsius, but can also be exceptionally rainy, with weeks of drizzle and clouds.
If you want to enjoy outdoor activities, you learn to ride in that weather, dress appropriately, and accept it.
Owning a small plane is not unusual – it is often necessary Having a small plane is not unusual here
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Jody Ellis
Believe it or not, there are towns and villages in Alaska that are inaccessible by land. Much of the state still remains wild, and some regions can only be reached by small plane.
I come from a family of pilots who settled here back when Alaska was not a state, and I learned to fly at a young age.
Having a plane in Alaska is not considered strangeand in summer the sound of Cessnas and Super Cubs is the background of everyday life.
See also: Donald Trump talks a lot about protecting the Arctic. But the Americans are almost defenseless there
Alaskans love to travel, and it's rare to meet someone who has never left the state Many Alaskans travel to other states, especially during the colder months
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Jody Ellis
Even though they live in one of the most remote states in the country, many Alaskans are well versed in travel. My kids started earning airline miles at a very young age.
When I left Alaska, I met many people from the continental U.S. who rarely left their home state—and when they did travel, they drove more often than they flew.
Since the vastness of Alaska makes it difficult to make quick trips to another state by car, flying is our default mode of transportation when traveling around the country. We love escaping to warmer places during the cold months, and many Alaskans I know spend a lot of time in Hawaii, Southern California, and the Pacific Northwest.
Alaska's cities have a surprisingly urban feel, full of art and culture Some parts of Alaska, like Juneau, feel surprisingly urban
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Jeff Whyte / Shutterstock
While tourism in Alaska is primarily wildlife-based, visitors to larger cities like Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau will find a vibrant art scene, top-notch restaurants, and plenty of cultural events.
Alaskans are creative, and the natural beauty around us is a source of inspiration. We have not only thriving local theaters and art galleries, but also performing arts centers that host traveling performances and concerts.
Alaskan restaurants offer a true farm-to-table experience, with same-day seafood and fresh, seasonal produce.
Add to this Alaskans' obsession with coffee shops, and you'll be surprised how metropolitan a small town in Alaska can feel.
I'm sure Alaskans would be able to cope during the apocalypse I believe that growing up in Alaska prepared me for almost everything
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Jody Ellis
Although it is beautiful, Alaska can also be deadly dangerous. Due to the distance, weather and wildlife, most residents learn the basics of survival early on.
Children in Alaska grow up camping, hunting, and fishing – they know how to handle guns, how to make a fire, and which berries are edible.
Most drivers keep jumper cables, a first aid kit and extra winter gear in their cars, and many homes have generators in case of power outages.
I always kept an emergency backpack with basic equipment and long-life food in the closet in case of a disaster that required a quick exit.
While I don't miss living in a place where there's snow half the year, I'm proud that growing up in the Far North gave me valuable skills that I still use today.
Alaska is not for the faint of heart, but it will always be home to me.
The above text is a translation from American edition of Business Insider
