I’m not in Oregon anymore. I’m sitting in a dry cabin a bit south of Fairbanks, Alaska. I slept through the not-dark of night to the hum of a generator that kept the fan going. When it stopped at one point the whine of mosquitoes replaced it. I don’t mind the generator sounds.

So why am I in Fairbanks? I can blame a friend and a former job. A couple of years ago a flare up of lower back pain made me rethink my life. I knew that my days as a bus driver needed to come to an end. My friend Missi started talking to me about how much she loves life up here and how I should visit. In January of last year I did just that. I had a week of vacation and bought a plane ticket to see just how bad it could be living in a cabin that relies on a generator for electricity to run the oil heater. Could I handle using an outhouse when it’s -25°? It turns out that I can.

On that visit I found that I loved it. This place is beautiful. I went ahead and looked to see what land went for and I found a piece of raw land that I could afford and that I can do something with. One of my boys got more excited by the idea than I was and committed to working with me so I bought it. Last June he came up with me to see the property and walk the easement where a quarter mile driveway needed to go. He loved it too.

I have a plan. Last year I bought the property and my friend’s husband made me a driveway. This year on the list is to make at least one cabin and settle in and find work. I’m up here now and getting ready get started. I hope to post my progress regularly.

I had a whole bunch more I wanted to write, but everyone has been wanting to talk to me. The day is getting planned and it’s time to get moving. By Sunday I hope to have more to share. Building a new life includes more than just making a cabin. I need to find a place in the community too.