Like most bloggers I follow, I don't remember how I stumbled upon Mar's blog, T.O. & fro. I do recall, however, her many DIY projects such as homemade lotion bars (perfect a party favor or as a gift), body scrub, and her recent take on homemade body butter.
Anyway, when I invited Mar to guest post on SCATTERBRAIN, she sought for suggestions on what to write about.
Knowing that she's one of the two people who live in Alaska (Hi, Shayne!), we both agreed to a topic that's both interesting and beneficial. It's important that you read what Mar has come up with because she debunked the myths and misconceptions on Alaska that I myself have always believed. Take it away, Mar!Hi, SCATTERBRAIN friends! My name is Mar, and I can be found over at T.O. & fro. I am a small town-raised, big city-
When people learn that my husband and I lived in Alaska, I usually get one of two reactions—"Cool, Alaska's on my bucket list!" or, "Wow, it must have been so cold and so dark up there!" Sadly, it's more of the latter. Alaska reality shows do wonders for what people think of Alaska. Sure, some of the people do need to hunt and fish to survive the winter, but I guarantee you, most of the people in the state are not as remote as they may seem. Today I want to break some of the myths and misconceptions surrounding the Land of the Midnight Sun, Alaska.
1. It's always dark.
People always asked us, "Do you even seen sunlight in the winter?". It's true, winter in Alaska is much longer, and much darker, than it is for those closer to the equator, but it's really not that bad. Trust me. On the flip side, in the summer you see as much as 21 hours of sunlight per day, which in my opinion, makes winter worth it. So much time for activities! One of my favorite memories is sitting around a bonfire or on a boat with friends, and
2. It's always cold.
Definitely not the case. In the summer, it can actually get quite warm in parts of the state. In Anchorage, summers average 70 degrees F, and its even been known to reach 90 degrees F in the interior by Fairbanks. Yes, 70 might be considered a "cold" summer for those living in the lower 48, but up in Alaska it is still perfect for outdoor adventures. And if you live there, you get acclimated to the temperatures pretty quickly. So much so that shorts are known to make an appearance the first sign of spring. Low humidity also contributes to the state's comfortable climate throughout the seasons. While the high may only reach 20 degrees F in Anchorage during the winter, it is a "dry" winter, making it more bearable and not bitterly cold.
3. It is a vast wilderness.
I can't really argue with this one. At around 660,000 square miles in size, Alaska is a pretty vast wilderness. And an extremely beautiful one at that. But, in addition to its natural beauty, Alaska also has a thriving and abundant cosmopolitan side. While some people choose to live in more remote locations, most of the state's 750,000 residents are concentrated around the main trade hubs of Anchorage and Fairbanks. And while Juneau is the official state capital, Anchorage houses the majority of residents at around 300,000. Alaskans are far from cut off from the world—on any given evening you can take in a Broadway musical, have dinner at a 5-star restaurant or even go to Walmart and Costco.
4. It's hard to get to.
While travelling to Alaska may bring a longer
5. Everything is expensive.
The cost of living in many Alaskan cities is, despite what you would think, significantly less than in many other North American cities. Some items, like Alaskan seafood, are typically cheaper and most definitely fresher than you can get anywhere else. The only downside is that produce can sometimes be more expensive. You have to keep in mind that the majority of supplies, whether i
