Wanted to get into this yesterday but didn't really have a chance...

From wildlife refuges to Friday night football, there's a whole lot in Fairbanks that's familiar to someone who grew up in the rural Plains. There are parties out in the woods. There's a generous helping of lumber yards. Everyone knows what kind of bacon to buy at the store.

Howevah.

Remarkably, the seclusion we experience here leads to some pretty stark differences from similar-sized rural cities like Rapid City, South Dakota or Grand Island, Nebraska. There are things like expressways and industrial parks. Falafel is easy to find. The Saturday morning farmers' market is likely the best we've visited outside of San Francisco.

It's a bit of a surprise, but juxtaposed with a rural confidence and pragmatism are diverse and abundant resources.

Doubtless these characteristics will be even more greatly appreciated in another 8 or 12 weeks, when good sense and Thinsulate are not luxuries, but requirements.