Why I Love Alaska

As of late, my local RWA chapter has been blogging about all things Alaskan. I’m not a well-seasoned or elegant blogger, my sisters are much better at it. But after careful consideration, I’ve decided to share what I love most about this enchanting state.

There’s so much…

Of course, I love the fact that most of the important accomplishments in my adult life occurred here; my wedding, college/graduation, my first house, my career as an environmental scientist, and the publication of my first novel.

 

Although these are all blessed events, I found something even more valuable within the boundaries of this vast playground— a real home.

I’ve lived in six other states (Pennsylvania, Texas, Colorado, Maine, New Hampshire, and Delaware).

None of them compare.

 There’s something magical about the fresh air, ice cold water (from the tap), seeing snowcapped peaks every day, eagles overhead, moose stripping bark off my front yard birch trees, the seemingly endless days/nights, a crackling fire in my fireplace on a frosty evening, Christmas, the first snow, the first warm day in summer, eating a reindeer dog in downtown Anchorage, a hockey game, flipping through all the cable channels with reality shows focused on Alaska and grinning because I live here, all the wonderfully tiny villages and towns I’ve visited (reachable only by plane), salmon and halibut, humpback whales surfacing in the water only a few yards away from me, a carriage ride downtown in the dead of winter, getting to wear boots and jeans to work every day and having it considered fashionable, four-wheeling to the edge of a glacier, hunting, fishing, hiking, men (very handsome), the cultural experiences I’ve had, and most of all—just being here.

That’s it.

 Alaska isn’t for everyone. It’s a hard place to thrive if you’re opposed to dark cold winters.

However, if you’re one of the lucky few to call it home, you know what I mean—its paradise.

--- Violetta Rand

Real Men of Alaska

Mr. November 2013

"Seth"

 

 

As Romance Writers, we are always on the lookout for Hot Hunky Hero Types. This month we welcome Seth.

Here is what Mr. November 2013 has to say:



First, some basics:

Were you born in Alaska, and if not, then how did you end up here - how long have you been here?

What do you do for a living, and what do you do for fun.

Age, height, favorite food, and any other statistics you are willing to share.

(Just remember, we are a PG 13 site & blush easily) J



I was born in Alaska, raised in Alaska - 25 years.

I am a gunsmith - playing with fire, going to a range, mostly outdoorsy stuff.

I am 25, 150 lbs and 5'11.



What kind of woman appeals to you, and why?

Gun-loving German women.



Where is your favorite place to take a girl on a first date, and why?



Gold mines up in Hatcher's pass.



What's the wildest thing you've ever done in Alaska since you’ve lived here?



It's a tie between: falling into a frozen river and living - and driving a doorless jeep cherokee.



Winter can be long, dark, and very cold here in Alaska. What are your favorite frosty pastime activities? (not counting the obvious of course.)

And, what is the coldest temp you’ve seen/been in?



Watching movies , playing games, working on my rifles, and the coldest I have seen was -40.



And, if we ask about winter then we simply must inquire about the too short, wonderful summers. What are your favorite things to do during all those long hours of sunshine?



Being outside working, out at any rifle range long enough to accommodate my guns.



Alaskan men take their vehicles very seriously. What is your favorite mode of transportation – car, truck, snow machine, four-wheeler, etc., and why?



Ural Motorcycle and Ural 4320 6x6 truck.



What is your favorite Alaskan animal – to see along the highway or on your dinner plate?



Bear, on both counts, very tasty.



What exactly is it that makes an Alaskan Male so wonderfully macho and appealing?

We do things on our own, and make things happen that people don't believe, even when they see it.









What’s the biggest fish you’ve ever landed?



18 inch red salmon, no idea on weight.



Other than making love under them, what is your favorite thing to do when the Northern Lights out and putting on a show?





Chill by a warm fire and enjoy the show.



And last, but certainly not least in your opinion, what is the most romantic thing about Alaska, and why?



The privacy we enjoy, very easily.





Our Thanks to Seth for this interview and his candid answers!



To our Readers: Please check the AKRWA Blog each Friday for a new topic, and come back the First Friday of each month to meet new Real Men of Alaska!



Until next time...keep your fire burning!


www.akrwa.blogspot.com

FISH CAMP

 

I spend nine months of the year “Outside” and my summers commercial fishing in South Naknek Alaska. Recently, I was at my writers group and talking about getting ready for fish camp. There are a million things to do this time of year. Where we fish there are no markets, pharmacy, or Starbucks. It’s remote. But my group of fellow authors started to joke and giggle. Every time I mentioned fish camp they saw a tent and little cartoon fish roasting marshmallows over a campfire swapping stories on how they got off the ‘hook’.

So, I thought I’d share with you what our fish camp entails. A large portion of other fish camps around the State of Alaska operate this way.

First, no running water, electricity, cell phones, Internet, and the before mentioned Starbucks. Instead we deal with outhouses, generators, and what food you can’t catch, you eat out of a can. Second, bears, weather, and the ocean RULE. If you find yourself in a situation, and can’t get out of it on your own, you usually don’t make it. Every day is a challenge and a fight. They call it Bristol Bay combat fishing, and it’s a wild, unforgiving place.

There seems to be more reasons not to be out there fishing than in favor of it. Here are some pluses. No electricity, cell phones, or Internet; and wildlife, the ocean, and the opportunity to make a lot of money in a short amount of time. Most importantly, time to spend with family, unplugged from civilization.

We play card games, cook, have dinner together, target practice, beachcomb, work and joke around together. Bond. Reconnecting in this crazy, busy world and building relationships is the absolute best thing about fish camp. Though the money doesn’t hurt.






Here is one of my favorite salmon recipes, and I have some dandies.

 

 PESTO SALMON

A fillet or two of Wild Alaskan Salmon
Basil pesto - home-made or store-bought (I use a small jar of store-bought pesto)
Lemon juice
Parmesan cheese
Pine nuts - optional
Sliced tomatoes - optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut the salmon fillet into serving sizes, and pull out the pin bones. This doesn't take very long and is easy to do. If you don't have a pin bone tool, pliers work great. Squeeze on lemon juice, coat on pesto as thick as you like, and top with parmesan cheese and pine nuts.

Bake for 10 to 15 minutes. Test with a fork. When the flesh flakes, it's done. I usually serve this over rice. I start the rice before I slather on the pesto and they both are done about the same time.

Tasty and so good for you!

Tiffinie Helmer’s latest Romance Novel in her Edge Series, 'HOOKED', will be released May 13th.

Visit her website www.tiffiniehelmer.com for more information. 

Real Men of Alaska - Mr. May 2013

"BEN"

 

 

 As Romance Writers

we are 

 always on the lookout for 

  Hunky Hero Types  

 

 

     So, here's BEN     

  to tell us a little bit  

      about himself...    

 

 

    BEN, Welcome to the AKRWA Blog Site    

 

   Please answer the following questions ---  

 --- what are REAL MEN Of ALASKA like?  

 

 1: Were you born in Alaska, and if not, then how did you end up here? What do you do for a living, and what do you do for fun. Age, height, fav. food, and any other statistics you are willing to share. (just remember - we are a PG 13 site and blush easily)  

 

     I was born in Wyoming. I was a flight paramedic. Right now, I’m in school to be a Physician’s Assistant. I’m 6 foot 5 inches, weigh 220, and I was a WYO state swim champ. I work out, and all of that means I have a six pack, ladies.

 

 2: What kind of woman appeals to you, and who do you let make the first move, you or her?  

 

     I’m physically active, and I really like a woman who can participate in my lifestyle. And who cares who makes the first move as long as it’s made!

 

 3: Where's your favorite place to take a girl on a first date?  

 

     Really classy restaurant (need he say more?)

  

 4: What's the wildest thing you've ever done with a female companion since living in Alaska?    

 

 

     Sky diving

 5: Winter can be long, dark, and very cold here in Alaska. What are your favorite frosty pastime activities (remember...pg-13) - and what is the coldest temp you’ve seen/been in?  

 

 

     Snow machining, cross-country skiing, snow boarding.

As a paramedic, I’ve been stationed in Barrow, Alaska in the winter. I saw temp of 40 below zero.

 

 

 6: And, if we ask about winter then we simply must inquire about the too short, wonderful summers. What are your favorite things to do during all those long hours of sunshine?   

 

     Go boating. I wake board, jet ski, waterski, hike, take my dog and run.

 

 7: Alaskan men take their vehicles very seriously. What is your favorite mode of transportation – car, truck, snow machine, four-wheeler, airplane, skis, snowboard, etc., and why? 

 

I really love driving my Corvette convertible, but I also loved flying in the Light Flight helicopter.

 

 8: What is your favorite Alaskan animal to see along the highway - Or on your dinner plate?  

 

     Wolf. Hands down.

 

 9: Have you ever wrestled a polar bear, mushed a dog team, panned for gold, eaten muktuk, done the polar bear plunge, climbed Denali, run the Mt. Marathon, or any of the other, found only in Alaska, activities?   

 

     Oh, I’ve done the polar bear plunge.

 

 

 10: In your opinion, what exactly IS it that makes an Alaskan Male so wonderfully macho and appealing?  

         We just ARE          

   macho and appealing   

   (Come up and check)   

 

 

 11: Other than making love under them, what is your favorite thing to do when the Northern Lights are out and putting on a show?   
 

Watch them!

 

 12: And last but certainly not least, in your opinion, what is the most romantic thing about Alaska, and why?  

 

     Well heck - that’s got to be cold, dark, long winter nights...

  ...and really nice fireplaces.   

 

 

 

Thank you, Ben. We appreciate your candor and honesty.
We love REAL ALASKAN MEN!

To our Readers - please join us the first week of each month for another interview with REAL ALASKAN MEN -thanks for following us!

 

 

Real Men of Alaska

We thought we would try something new:

On the first Friday of each month, we'll be interviewing some of the rugged, intelligent, male specimens found in such abundance in the great State of Alaska.

Please Join us in Welcoming:

Tim, Mr. March 2013 - Real Man of Alaska

Welcome Tim, and thanks for being here today. As Romance Writers We Are Always On The Lookout For Hot Hunky Hero Types, So Please, Take A Few Minutes And Tell Us A Little About Yourself.

1: Were you born in Alaska, and if not, then how did you end up here? What do you do for a living, and what do you do for fun. (Age, height, fav. food, and any other statistics you are willing to share)

I was born in Anchorage Alaska. I have also lived in North Carolina and in California, but I moved back to Alaska because I love it here. I am 24 years old, 6 foot flat, 155lbs., my favorite food is spaghetti, and for fun I like to climb, dance, and draw still life.

2: What kind of woman appeals to you, and who do you let make the first move, you or her?

      I like a woman who is independent, intelligent, a good sense of humor, and natural beauty (low, if any, use of makeup). I like to make the first move, but at the same time I tend to be very passive, so it takes a couple of tries of increasing forwardness.

3: Where is your favorite place to take a girl on a first date, and why?

      It really depends on the girl. There is always the safe default of dinner and a movie, but why do that when you have access to a beautiful hike, or whale watching off Beluga Point, or some dance lessons? In short, I like to choose something that appeals to both of us.

4: What's the wildest experience you've had with a female companion since living in Alaska?

 

I have to say the wildest thing I’ve done with a female companion is something I like to call experimental dance. It’s like exploring movement possibilities and finding new ways to connect and move together.

 

5: Winter can be long, dark, and very cold here in Alaska. What are your favorite frosty pastime activities? And, what is the coldest temp you’ve seen/been in?

 

After enjoying a fresh snow I like to come inside and warm up with some hot cocoa and snuggle while watching a movie, usually under a blanket. The coldest temperature I have ever been in is -58oF, and yes, I went inside after playing in that weather to warm up with some hot cocoa.

6: And, if we ask about winter then we simply must inquire about the too short, wonderful summers. What are your favorite things to do during all those long hours of sunshine? 

I like to water ski at midnight. The lake is usually clear of traffic and smooth as glass. I also like to take advantage of the long lasting sunsets/sunrises and grab a few photos.

7: Alaskan men take their vehicles very seriously. What is your favorite mode of transportation – car, truck, snow machine, four-wheeler, airplane, skis, snowboard, etc., and why?

      My favorite form of recreational transportation is skiing. I love the feeling of racing down a hill with simple tools and remaining in control.

8: What is your favorite Alaskan animal – to see along the highway or on your dinner plate?

      My favorite Alaskan animal to see on my dinner plate is King Salmon. I’m salivating just thinking about it.

9: Have you ever wrestled a polar bear, mushed a dog team, panned for gold, eaten muktuk, done the polar bear plunge, climbed Denali, run the Mt. Marathon, or any of the other 'found only in Alaska' activities?

       I’ve done the polar bear plunge, panned for gold, eaten salmon eyes, eaten herring eggs, eaten sea weed (a common ingredient in chowder cooked at my house), climbed Mt. Marathon (out of season), and touched glacier ice.

10: In your opinion, what exactly is it that makes an Alaskan Male so wonderfully macho and appealing?

      Shouldn’t you be answering this question? If you must know, my best guess is the connectedness with an untamed nature, and the ability to survive. Then all you have to do is throw in some myths and legends.

11: What’s the biggest fish you’ve ever landed?

As far as weight, the largest I caught was a 46lb halibut. As far as length I caught a 37 inch ling cod (it‘s like a rock fish).

12: Other than making love under them, what is your favorite thing to do when the Northern Lights are out and putting on a show?

Science experiments on cosmic particles, just kidding. I just like to watch them with someone that I love, let it start a conversation and let the conversation go where ever it takes us.

13: And last but certainly not least, in your opinion, what is the most romantic thing about Alaska, and why?

      Besides the northern lights, long sunsets/sunrises, and the unbelievable scenery of Alaska?  I guess, in my opinion, it’s not really the place or individual things that are truly romantic, but how they are presented and who shows them to you. What makes the idea of Alaska romantic is the idea of being shown the wonders by someone who loves it for what it is, and you for who you are.

Well said - Thank you, Tim, for answering all of our questions and for being our very first:

Real Man of Alaska - Mr. March 2013!