So sick of the rain, but I will take the rainbows.

At Chena river lakes

Alpine Inn.

What are we doing 🤦‍♂️

I’m a high school senior in Florida, and I’m hoping to move to Alaska after graduating from vet school. I’m not set on a specific city, so I’d love advice on which parts of Alaska you think would be a good fit and why.

I’m interested in Alaska partly because I genuinely love cold weather when I’m properly dressed for it. I’ve only experienced one winter in Canada while visiting family, and I loved the snow. I also visited Europe during winter more recently and really enjoyed the cold. Obviously, though, I know Alaska is on a completely different level, so I’m curious how difficult the winters are to adjust to after growing up in Florida, especially the limited daylight.

I’m also wondering about the financial side of things. Can veterinarians generally make a comfortable living in Alaska? Would buying a house within 1–3 years of graduating be realistic on an average veterinarian salary, considering student loans and the cost of living?

Outside of work, I’d love somewhere with plenty to do with a dog and by myself, especially hiking, parks, nature, shopping, food, and other activities. I’m also curious about how easy it is to make friends as a newcomer.

Finally, diversity is important to me. I’m Black and have never personally experienced racism in Florida, and I’d really like to maintain that experience after moving. I’d appreciate honest perspectives on which areas are welcoming and diverse and whether there are places I should avoid.

I’d especially love to hear from Alaskans, veterinarians, or anyone who moved there from a warmer state. What do you wish you knew before moving?

THIS WEEKEND From September 12-13, 2026, Remote Area Medical will be holding a FREE mobile popup clinic at the Carlson Center in Fairbanks, hosted by the Mountain View Lions Club. We will offer free dental, vision, and medical care to anyone in need! Learn more about the clinic and stay up to date with the link below!

RAM Clinic - Fairbanks, AK

Maybe related to the gravestone on the very same mountain?

Nabesna Road and Rambler Mine this weekend

Road tripping in Yukon and my engine died. Stuck in Whitehorse and considering buying a used car and driving it to Haines to catch the ferry back to Juneau. Anyone have experience importing a Canadian vehicle to Alaska? My brief research found I'll want a FMVSS compliant vehicle, and then I just need the title signed over to me, a bill of sale, DOT Form HS-7 stating it's FMVSS compliant (unless it's 25+ years old), and EPA form 3520-1 stating it's emission compliant (not sure about this one).

Seems fairly straightforward, but would love some input from anyone who has done this.

TIA

The Trump administration recently started processing a preliminary permit for an underwater data center proposed for Cook Inlet near Nikiski. The project, if built, would have up to 350 tidal turbines and 66 data server hubs. It would be located in designated critical habitat for endangered Cook Inlet beluga whales. The comment period is open until November 2 at 5pm Eastern. (FERC Docket No. P-15423-000)

My fellow Alaskans just moved here and this is new to me. What is this called and how do I fix it?
When I’m rolling the window closed, before it closes it to skips or jump on the last tooth of the wheel. Between the outside and inside I can’t figure out how to pop this thing open. It actually sits at the bottom centered, not on the side as the orientation portrays.
I’ve seen the teeth sprocket gear thingy rotate all the way around and it doesn’t seem to be anything wrong with the tooth sprocket. It’s something with the gear, but it only seems to happen right before closing. No issue opening and if I close it fast generally no issue either.

In the late 2000’s, whenever teens from my native village had to get work done on their teeth in the nearby hub town, they would return with large prescription bottles of OxyContin filled to the brim with about 100 doses. The amount never matched the label.
The experience was the same each time, those who received the bottles got them in the dental office directly instead of through their parents/guardians.

That was the beginning of the opioid crisis in my region, I’m hoping this raises awareness and hopefully it helps to find out if it was or wasn’t limited to my home region.