Recently I discovered the documentary selection on Netflix, which has opened up a whole new world of possibilities for family movie nights and stay-in date nights with my husband. A few weeks ago, we found a gem called “Braving Alaska“. I knew it was going to be good when I saw that it was directed by Mark Stouffer, brother of Marty Stouffer, our wildlife documentary hero. This 1993 National Geographic documentary narrated by Martin Sheen follows four modern-day homesteading families in the remote Alaskan bush, highlighting the ups and downs, and realities of their rugged lives. I found it fascinating, inspiring and cautionary all at the same time.
Here’s a brief summary from a movie website: “Imagine living hundreds of miles from your nearest neighbor or grocery store and having mail delivered by airplane a few times each year, and battling the long, harsh winters with temperatures that plummet to -51 degrees Celsius. Such are the living conditions chosen by the hearty few who inhabit America’s last frontier: the Alaskan bush-a spectacular land of rivers and mountains so remote that you’ll enter the lives of four families who have turned their backs on civilization to fulfill their dreams of living off the land. Join the modern day pioneers as they face the daily challenges of survival-hunting for food, staying warm, and fending off grizzlies. You’ll experience America’s pioneering spirit through these remarkable people who are Braving Alaska!” How could you resist with a description like that?
So, look for it at your library, or on Netflix, or wherever you find your movies. It can also be found in a four-DVD boxed set called “Alaska: Into the Wilderness” which also contains three other Alaskan documentaries. This is a must-see for any homesteader, or wilderness enthusiast out there, right along with “Alone in the Wilderness“, also an excellent documentary about Dick Proenneke, modern-day Alaskan homesteader, produced by Bob Swerer. You can read my post about it here: Alone in the Wilderness: The Inspiring True Story of a Modern-Day Mountain Man.
We all need to feed our dreams of adventure, and if yours involves Alaska, this is some mighty good fuel.
I loved this documentary and love my netflix
I am not from Alaska, but my husband is and he is a Native Eskimo. (There really aren't many Eskimos in our neck of the woods, but between him and the kids, I have a house full of them, lol!) He honestly did not like it and planned on leaving to never return – which is exactly what he did. Where he was, there was a large portion of the year with only 1 hour of daylight each day. He remembers going to school in temps of -100. And he says that everything was soooo expensive.
But, on the upside, having grown up on an Alaskan homestead made him more than prepared to continue life in that vein down here in the lower 48 with me. 🙂 So when looked upon from that direction, it served him well.
I guess it all depends on perspective and what one likes and needs. For him, sunlight and shorter winters are important. (Not to mention a wife who needs the same exact things.) But if those types of things don't bother you, then I say go for it and have your adventures! There are some people that love to live there and thrive within it's settings.
Thank you for sharing your husband's experience growing up there, Backwoods Woman. The really harsh parts about it are what I keep hearing about that hold us back from making any move in that direction. My in-laws lived there for a while before my husband was born, and they left behind a wonderful little cabin with land because the extremes and day length (or lack thereof) were too much to deal with. Even if nothing ever comes of it, dreaming is sure fun!
I'm curious about what is most beautiful, most exotic, most intriguing, most adventuresome, most dangerous. I'm researching for future travel plans. Thanks!
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