Bethel, AK (Anchorage: transporting, hotels, employment)

[Ellewood]

Hi! I'm considering a position in Bethel and will be arriving at the end of March for a site visit.

If I decide to take the job, the company I will work for will pay for moving expenses-which is great!

I currently live in Texas and I think the company will expect me to drive to
Seattle (rather Bellingham) and have myself and my car shipped to Anchorage. Then I suppose the car would be put on a barge to Bethel.

The back of my car will hold a lot of stuff. I plan on putting some totes in it that will contain various items....one item for sure...Alcohol-as I hear Bethel is "wet".

My question is....will the ferry system or barge system care if the back of my car is filled with totes? Will they care about the alcohol? I can't see why, but never having done so, I just wanted to check and be sure.

Also, I will probably need to purchase a parka and boots. Should I pick these items up in Anchorage for a better price?

Any information about living in Bethel would be greatly appreciated. From what I've heard so far, it's about 50/50 Love/Hate. I see this employment opportunity as an adventure and I'm quite looking forward to my site visit.

If I do this, it's just me, no kids, no pets. Although I do have a dog and I love him to pieces. I'm just not sure it's fair to have him travel so far. Plus he's an outside dog and I also think it's unfair to keep him inside the majority of the time (due to the weather). Any opinions on this?

Thanks to all who respond!

[Rance]

You don't want to be hauling a toteload of booze to Bethel.

[RayinAK]

Just search the numerous posts about Bethel, AK in this forum. The law is pretty tough relating to transporting alcohol in some areas of Alaska, so be careful.

[Ellewood]

Opps Sorry....I really didn't intend to haul a toteload of booze up there.........
I just wanted to bring a bottle or two for personal use. After seeing your posts...
I will definitely check on what's allowed to be brought into Bethel.

Any suggestions or comments towards my other questions?

Thanks!

[warptman]

Bethel being a "damp" community means you can bring your booze in but you can't sell it. When you fly here and check in with Alaska Airlines, you MUST label your alcohol in a separate box with a big sticker on it saying "ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE" on the outside. If TSA finds any sort of booze in your luggage, they will discard it and normally not say anything or leave a little card saying they threw it away. The State of Alaska Beverage Control has limits on what you can bring in here, I don't drink so I don't know the limits on what you bring in. Remember, when you come out here for your site visit, you'll be in shock at prices out here. You must keep an open mind, too and have a great sense of humor.
Here is my friend's website, I'm the photo administrator for it.

BethelAK.Com - Information about Bethel Alaska including travel, forums, hotels, hunting

[Barkingowl]

Warpt is it legal to hunt game using a cab as a shooting platform?

[Xa'at]

Originally Posted by Barkingowl

Warpt is it legal to hunt game using a cab as a shooting platform?

Hah hah! It's illegal to look at a moose from the window of an airplane.

[warptman]

Open season on cabs!

[Barkingowl]

Originally Posted by Xa'at

Hah hah! It's illegal to look at a moose from the window of an airplane.

Looking out or looking in?

[Ellewood]

Thanks Warptman! That's good info to know! Nah...I never wanted to sell alcohol... just drink some on ocassion...that's all. I will definitely take the necessary precautions. Thanks for the URL link. I've looked at it a bit and yeah...I know it's gonna cost me (quite a bit!) to live there...but the company pays well.

All in all, I think I'll like it ( I tend to appreciate adventures) I consider myself to be open minded and I think I've got a pretty good sense of humor too. I look forward to the site visit.

Thanks again!