Questions About Survival -- Coming To Alaska -- Escaping The Lower 48

[Norm Olson]

To everyone on the Forum:   Please read this letter from Mark Fisher and
share your experiences about coming to/living in Alaska.    I'm sure he will
appreciate hearing from others.   If you reply, please address your comments

to Mark's email (sikos...@gmail.com)     I've added him to the forum,

but it make take a few hours to register.

 

My comments are added at the end of his letter.

 

Norm

 

 

 

On 5/20/13, Mark Fisher <sikos...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Sir;
>
> I'm a 42 yr old disabled father, husband, former law-enforcement /
> corrections officer who has recently (well, several years now) become
> concerned to the point of, well emails like this . . . about how things
> might shape up or fall apart in the near future.   I have five children,
> two of which are grown men, with lives and situations of their own, one
> daughter whom I recently was informed about (14 yrs after she'd been
> lurking around) and another step-daughter who turns 18 shortly. . . .that
> being said I have a 10 yr old son, whom I home-school and have great
> concern about his future in this world.
>
>
> My questions sir, beyond the meandering of my introduction are along the
> following lines;
>
> 1. is there any way a person, with the dwindling ability to rely on his own
> strength and endurance, yet with years of knowledge and wisdom in both the
> outdoors and "protecting & serving" (whom also gets by on $1100/mo) to find
> a suitable existence in Alaska?
>
> I've often thought of just pulling stakes and trying to locate a couple
> acres of land and putting myself out to pasture so to speak. . . . but the
> more I reflect and the more I think beyond my life, I see my youngest son
> living short on the American dream as I come to realize that there is a
> real possibility that America won't exist anymore, at least not in the
> manner in which it used to when I was younger, hell even now its changed so
> much I can barely stand it.
>
> 2. is there anything more, than your groups page, that might help me decide
> if your network is something I might seek out, or to help me find a group /
> location that might serve me better.  I've watched not only your group for
> years (even during the troubled times) but had lengthy bouts with friends
> and fellows alike whom have both shared and opposed thoughts of and
> discussions about militia groups. . .  I've come to the conclusion that
> beyond the NCO's of our current military, militias and other "fringe"
> groups (as the gov would label them) are going to be the only stability or
> saving grace that  MIGHT prevail and prevent this country from taking a
> dive, and without a doubt the only chance anyone short of a 100+ person
> close family network might have at hoping for stability in any sense.
>
>
> I have for the past couple years worked a project I like to call
> "Homestead" it a project that is modeled off of self sustenance for the
> individual that can replicate and scale with no limitation.  The base
> premise of this project is that as a community we must end the dependence
> of oil, stop the corporate rape of the world, turn our base needs (food,
> water, power, education, communication, security) into safe havens, free of
> the abuse and leaching that has gone on for decades, reducing the costs of
> such things to time and effort instead of disproportionate amounts of your
> income.  It's embarrassing for as advanced, creative and able as we claim
> to be we still have to profit off of people's base needs ><
>
> It expands into religious doctrine (one that is quite unique I must say)
> along with social reorganization that hopefully ends in empowerment to the
> people and a restructuring of our government so that the goals and efforts
> entertained in DC and acted out the world over are in line with the
> majority of the USA instead of the 1% who manipulate it now.
>
> I guess sir the bottom line here is, I'm at the end of my rope on how to
> free myself from this yoke so that I can step off this roller coaster of
> chaos and find some semblance of  hope for myself, my son and the world.
>  It surely isn't happening in Missouri, I would love to have
> a dialogue with as many people as I can, you being one that I've known for
> a period of time, bearing the same solid message for all these years. . . .
> as to the possibility of striking out and making a stand and a statement
> with barely a pot to piss in so to speak.
>
> After 39 hours awake I'd ask for forgiveness if this missive is a
> bit sporadic. . . I assure you, it was not my intent and definitely not my
> desire :)
>
> I appreciate your steadfastness in the face of adversity from such a power
> unrelenting force such as our government can be. . . I hope that for not
> only myself, but my family and this once great nation, you might be able to
> help or at the very least chat a bit in the hopes that as you did tonight
> (thanks to catching a clip done by "VICE" on your history), inspire me and
> move me.
>
> Thanks Again;
>
> Mark A. Fisher Jr.
> 1621 W. 24th Terrace S.
> Independence, Mo 64052
>
> sikos...@gmail.com
>
> P.S. on a final note, I oft ask people I seek correspondence with and input
> from (obviously due to the message they give and the inspiration I find in
> some form or fashion) if they have a book list they might share, say Top 5
> Must Read Books from your own list  :)  I find that I've read 37 of the Top
> 100 of All Time :)
>

 

Mark,

 

   You've got some good things going for you and some negative issues.

First, you seem to have the necessary "desperation" to get out of the lower 48. 

You seem to have the necessary life's experience to be able to make rational

and logical choices.    But desperation can dwindle your options and force you

to make bad choices.    Relocating to Alaska is a choice that is life-changing.

For people with lots of money, there's no problem... They come, look around,

maybe live here a few years, and if they don't like it, they just leave.    For many,

relocating to Alaska is the "end of the rope" event... They have reached the

end of their options and figure that Alaska is the way out.

    A few years ago, a middle aged couple (who I knew in Michigan) packed

up everything they owned and together with their little dog, drove here in an

SUV pulling a little trailer.   They arrived in late summer and figured they'd live

in a tent (on my property, which I was glad to okay).  They had little money

and no real plans.   The man worked for a time as a security guard at the

refinery.  I was able to upgrade their living accommodations to a 23-foot

motor home.   They survived the winter, but then the "gloss" of Alaska started

to fade.  Within a few  more months, the woman suffered from severe depression

and the man lost his job.   Bills piled up and their domestic relationship

started to erode.  Family back in Michigan began to tug at them and within

just a few more months they were out of here, leaving nearly everything

behind.  They're divorced now... she calls from time-to-time in tears about

the shattered dreams... he never calls.

    Oh, I read stories once in a while about people who make the trek and

succeed.   Some have friends here, others have no connections at all, but

they made the 'leap of faith' with the necessary determination to find their

niche.  Some make it, some don't.

 

    I'm sure that anyone can make a go of it IF, repeat IF, they have the

necessary stuff to survive.    What's it gonna take?    Well, for starters,

it's gonna take some money.   I would suggest that if you are planning

to move here, that you have at least 2-years worth of income as savings.

In the old days, they called it a "grub-stake."   Second, I would suggest

that you read everything you can about the various places here in Alaska

that might suit you.   There are several climate areas here, each with

it's own culture and its own challenges.   You may want to start searching the internet for

subjects such as "Moving to Alaska."   Once you've determined WHERE

in Alaska you might want to live, I would also suggest that you come up here

to look around.   Maybe fly into Anchorage or Fairbanks, rent a vehicle,

and spend all your time researching the area.   See if there is work for

you.  Check with the local government on programs that will assist  you

as a disabled person.  Find potential suitable housing for your first year

(usually people will rent before they think about buying).  

 

    Making a move to Alaska isn't what a lot of people think.  The allure

the land and the phony-baloney TV programs distort reality.  If you watch

enough of that Alaska TV Reality stuff, you'll begin to think, "well, if

they can make it, so can I."   What they don't reveal is that fact that

people here have all the same problems that people in the lower 48

have.   The only thing that really changes is the temperature and the

length of darkness or daylight!

 

    Sure, Alaska has some great things going for it.  There's the

Permanent Fund Dividend (the Gov. gives you a share of the oil wealth),

there's no state income tax and no sales tax in many parts of the state.

There are no building codes outside the large city areas.  You get

assistance for your electricity, heating, and most everything else if you

are low income or disabled.    You get free fishing, hunting, and

drivers licenses and tags when you turn into an old geezer (60 to 65,

depending on the program)..

 

   What you won't get is an easy lifestyle...if that's what you're looking for,

then Arizona or Florida is the place to go...

 

    I relocated to Alaska about 10 years ago.  I sold everything I could

(an emotional ordeal for the family). Sent my daughter, her husband,

and grandchildren ahead, assisted two other families from the church

in getting their vehicles loaded, flew my wife up, and finally, I loaded up a bus

and left (together with yet another family.)     Of the six families that made

the move, four still remain.      That may change in the next couple years, however.

                     

 

What else can I say?    I would conclude with this statement:

"If you can find somewhere else to relocate OTHER THAN
ALASKA, do so."      I'm not being cruel, I'm being realistic.

If you're fed up with your government, you might consider

Texas or Arizona... If you need to get around other patriot

people, Idaho or Montana may be your cup of tea.   

Alaska certainly isn't for everyone.   

     I think the best thing for you is to do your homework and

then visit here for a while.   Check things out.   Talk to

people.

 

    I'm forwarding your letter to the Alaska Patriot Network Forum,

hoping that some of the dozens of people here can give you

further advice.     In the end, however, you're the one who has

to turn the key, start the engine, and make the move.  Some

choices we make reveal more about ourselves than we'd like

to know.     I would never speak disparaging about anyone

who came to Alaska and because they couldn't make it, left.

To me, they are the real heroes since they made the effort

and had the courage to face their own fears and the willingness

to accept failure WHILE TRYING.

 

    That's what makes the difference... not whether you win or

lose, but rather "are you willing to get into the ring in the first place?"

 

Norm

 

 

 

     

[Robin Mitchell]

Norm, 

I agree with everything you said here. Alaska is either for you or not. I miss it like hell and can't wait to get back. We had to leave for medical treatment the VA in Alaska just ignored. I am getting examined next week for an experimental back implant that is in it's last approval stages. One woman that had it done a year ago is on patrol again in Afghanistan.

One thing that really bothers me about Alaska...at least in semi-remote cabins is the thieves. There has been a rash of cabin break ins and they supposedly have a pair in jail for the last few days but I can't get a name out of the troopers. The kid staying in our cabin didn't bother to lock the gate at the end of the driveway, the six foot chainlink gate, or the door to the cabin and wonders why after leaving it for 5 days they robbed him blind. 

We are putting up a second cabin this summer in order to try and keep someone on the property all the time. My suggestion would be not to come alone. I have met way too many people who have been robbed blind while away from their places. Build a small cabin the first year even if it is 12x16 with a real woodstove. and get twice the amount of wood you think you'll need. Watch your back. While there are plenty of good people there are plenty of predators. I have a friend going out to my place to re-padlock everything up.

One doctor at Homer hospital was being robbed everytime he did a 24 hour ER shift. He cured it by putting game cameras and pressing charges. Another neighbor finally got people to stop stealing by putting a bullet in one. Now he is known as that crazy neighbor...but they leave him alone.

Alaska is awesome and has great pluses but as you pointed out it is a tough existence. Maybe finding someone to let you put a cabin on skids so you can eventually move it to your own property to give it a try is a possibility. At least you can sell it if it doesn't work out.

Robin 

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