The Alaska Experience
Like most folks in the lower 48, I knew almost nothing about life in the 49th state (Hawaii is technically the 50th). I expected beauty. I did not expect the deep levels of isolation. I didn't know until I began working as the Executive Producer of Alaska's only TV/video investigative unit at Alaska's News Source that around 100,000 people live "off the road'. That means no roads reach their communities. I had no way of knowing how Alaskans love their small family and friends units and how difficult it would be for an outsider to develop real friendships. I knew winters would be long, but five months of never seeing a roof. That, I didn't know.
But my time was filled with incredible stories and fascinating people and for the first time in life, I felt moved to write a novel.
