Dan moved to Anchorage in 1998 from Soldotna, Alaska.  Plans at that time included gaining experience in his career and relocating within five years back to a small town.  Almost ten years later, it's time to make that happen!

For years, Heidi has wanted to live "in the middle of nowhere".  Being a hermit has sounded very appealing; unfortunately, it seems to be difficult to make a living as one.   Growing up in a small town on a three-acre lot surrounded by mostly untouched land and a set of railroad tracks along which to wander, Heidi misses the privacy of having a few trees around and some space between neighbors. 

Living in Eagle River, Alaska, we've decided the commute, close living, and everyday humdrum of life is not what we want.  We want to give up some of the insanity of 21st century living, and get back to the land, so to speak.  Somehow we began talking about moving to another locale, where the pioneer spirit still exists and the expectations of life are less materialistic. 

After a couple of long weekends spent in the Fairbanks area, we became proud owners of 40 acres of "remote" land!  While "remote" means that it's nearly 20 miles out of town, it's only about 2 miles off the Elliot Highway, which leads from Fox to Prudhoe Bay.

This community affords us the ability to maintain jobs that will pay the bills and still make for a decent retirement, while living in a home that is off-the-grid.  Our new home will be comfortable, but only as large as necessary for ourselves, our pets, and a few creature comforts.  We also hope to use recycled or renewable materials and energy sources.  Since we are planning to be off-the-grid, this will be both a desire and a necessity. 

Our plans progress every day.  First, land.  Second, home plans.  Third, materials.  Fourth, breaking ground!  The timeline?  We hope to have a liveable, weatherproof shell by winter 2008.  Of course, winter comes early to Fairbanks...