Ok, reality check time about "moving to Alaska" (Anchorage: ski resort, crime)

[Xa'at]

Originally Posted by warptman

There is a big difference between the rural areas of Alaska and Maine. The biggest one is that in Maine you can drive away and into a big city unlike most parts of Alaska. There are no similarities in my book.

That's not true. There are many similarities... Maine is mountainous, cold, low population density, etc. Just because it isn't as intense as some of Alaska doesn't mean there are no similarities.

[warptman]

Was talking about being able to leave Maine by car, out here in the "real" Alaska, we have to fly Alaska "rip-you-off" Airlines.

[spleenificus]

Warptman,

I looked at the prices to go to Anchorage from Bethel and they don't seem too bad.
A bit more for the mileage than a comparable flight in the lower 48, but not excessively so IMHO.
(I frequently fly to Dallas TX from New Orleans LA at about $200 round trip.)

The big question I have is how often does the airport (particularly in Bethel) have to close air traffic due to weather conditions?

As an aside, this is most certainly not an attack or criticism of your post- you have really helped me out a lot in figuring out my arrival.
Just wanted to know.

Best,
-Merlin

[Metlakatla]

I worked with someone last summer who said she had a right to consider herself an Alaskan even though she had never spent a winter here because she had spent winters in Maine. Bs, bs, bs. There are of course many similarities but the real differences are what makes the real difference.

[warptman]

The state DOT workers do a good job keeping the runway open during the normal hours. They have a whole fleet of snow removal equipment. Unless it is zero-zero, they close it down. The airplanes now a days have good instruments for ILS approaches, they don't make the runway the first few times, they fly back to Anchorage.

[msina]

Hiya Warpt! I meant some similarities in lifestyle. Yes, I can get in a car and drive away. To go to the "lower 47" it is a four hour drive, and I like it that way. We have a true value and an IGA, though the IGA is independantly owned and operated as a "farmers union". I'm not Alaskan,... lol I'm a Maine-Iac

[Xa'at]

Originally Posted by msina

Hiya Warpt! I meant some similarities in lifestyle. Yes, I can get in a car and drive away. To go to the "lower 47" it is a four hour drive, and I like it that way. We have a true value and an IGA, though the IGA is independantly owned and operated as a "farmers union". I'm not Alaskan,... lol I'm a Maine-Iac

Lower 47? That's pushing it. Of all the states I've been to (I've seen most of 'em) Idaho has been by far the closest to Alaska, and I don't mean geographically. I wouldn't be able to survive here if it wasn't! (as it is I'm still chickening out and running, well ferrying, home with tail tucked between my legs... )

[msina]

It was a joke,... I've seen the phrase here "the lower 48" and I was just joking. Everyone has a place that's home to them, it's a wonderful thing to know that it's always there for you to come back to. I came back home this summer after being away for a little over a year, so I understand a LITTLE how it is to be homesick. Though my parants are both long gone Maine is and always will be home. My best to you all.

[warptman]

One of these years I'll hop in my truck and do the rest of the states. I have around 35 left to go including Hawaii, but you can't drive there.

[Xa'at]

Originally Posted by warptman

One of these years I'll hop in my truck and do the rest of the states. I have around 35 left to go including Hawaii, but you can't drive there.

Well, technically you can... but you'd probably die of either hypothermia, H2O overdose (drowning), being crushed, etc...
But your dead body, if it can continue driving... Might make it.