Winter in Alaska is a serious thing. It consumes more than six months of our time every year. Our lives revolve around it. Everyone looks forward to summer, green grass, warm temperatures etc, but we wouldn't be here if we didn't really enjoy winter.
Some enjoy it overtly. Snowmachines, cross country and downhill skis, sleds, ice skates, snow shoes, you name it. If it involves snow, ice, or cold things we do it. There's even the Polar Bear clubs around town that strip down to their trunks and swim in water that has ice floating in it.
Add to this normal insanity the fact that our pretty little Governor is set to possibly become the next Vice President of the United States, and it seems to be even more lively than ususal.
Supporters and opponents of Sarah Palin alike have one thing they neither can deny, she's put Alaska in the spotlight. We are getting some serious press coverage and being looked at like never before. I for one am loving it. While I have no fear that droves of people will come stampeding into our state to make it their home, I like the attention to our corner of the globe.
The weather will keep most wannabes out as far as long term goes, but the attention will help us with a lot of other things. Hopefully one of the key things the attention will do is help us get some industry up here. If nothing else, the tourism dollars will go up, especially if McCain/Palin win.
The down side of course is that there are so many reporters from the big networks roaming around, and many are already whining about the cold. I hope they stick around all winter and get a taste of the real thing in a few months when it hits -30 or even as cold as -70 in the Interior. Of course at those temperatures, folks don't tend to go outside to play.
That is why winter is also a time for writing, and that's what I plan to do a lot of this winter. My latest podcast novel, Faithful Warrior, is set to go live October 10th. Once it is on the air I will be working on the sequel to 65 Below for most of the rest of this year. I am looking forward to another really productive winter season.
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Hello. I am currently listening to your book '65 Below.' I have always wanted to travel back to Alaska after my brief visit to Anchorage on my way to Vietnam in 1969. I hope to visit some time soon. I am really enjoying your book. I think your work is on a par with others like JC Hutchins and Scott Sigler. I plan on reading/listening to your other works.
ReplyDeleteThanks Michael. Glad you're enjoying the story. You've definitely got to come back up and check it out. Anchorage is about ten times bigger since you last saw it in 1969. A big city that still holds a small town feeling.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the compliment on my work. I look forward to hearing what you think of my other stories as well.