Maternity ward? A cabin in Eagle Alaska—in January.
If the history of the subarctic north fascinates you, people who choose to live there especially fascinate you. The weather, the terrain, the geology, all downright hostile, draw utterly unique people who choose to live there because of the difficulty and danger, not in spite of it.
Throughout the twentieth century, the prospect of free land has drawn people from the lower 48 to Alaska. During the seventies high wages from contractors constructing the Trans-Alaska Pipeline drew thousands. Most of those people turned around and headed back home as soon as possible.
The ones who stayed became Alaskans.
Shirley Balinski–More on Homesteading Alaska
A year or so ago researcher Chris talked me into signing up for a massage. I loved it. I get one once a month. My massage therapist, a tiny little lady, into crazy sports like roller derby, fell and damaged her wrist recently and this morning I met a replacement—a replacement whose parents homesteaded in Alaska, who grew up in Alaska!
I didn’t get the whole story, of course. I got excited and talked too much. But one story I did get gives you the flavor of Alaskans.
Pregnant for the first time my therapist’s mom’s maternity ward was a cabin at Eagle on the Yukon River. This lady delivered her first daughter in January with no one in attendance but her young husband. Stuck in that snow bound cabin, the baby girl didn’t contact the rest of humanity for four weeks.
Alaskans!
Alaska Lady, Mary Hanson–Another Homesteader
I’m told mom and especially dad love to tell stories. My new best friend promised to put me in contact.
Expect more from these folks in the next few weeks.
For more on homesteading Alaska