Is there snow all year round?

Even though Alaska is colder than what people in the lower 48 are used to, Anchorage still gets a summer without snow. The summers are beautiful, the sun does not set until midnight so the days seem so much longer! The snow normally beings to fall in late October or early November and it will constantly stay on the ground until late April. I don't think the winters are too cold in Anchorage they are just really long. On top of the long winters the days get really short, the sun will rise around 10am and set around 4pm. This makes many people depressed, but it does not really affect me because it is so gradual. The Alaskan weather seems so extreme to someone who has never visited, that is true but it is very adjustable.

FUN FACT! Alaska is the state that is the most North, East, and West! 

Do You Ride a Polar Bear to School?

This commonly asked question, that again is completely a huge misenterpretation. I live in Anchorage, the biggest city in Alaska, we drive everywhere. The only public transportation we have is the city bus but no one ever takes this because driving is so much more convenient in this type of city. Polar bears are actually no where near Anchorage, they are much farther north, sadly I have never seen one in the wild before. Brown bears and black bears are common to see on hiking trails not far from the city. I have actually experienced many encounters with bears and I do not particularly enjoy them. The most common wild animal to see is a moose, they can be found around the city, in neighborhoods, at schools, crossing streets or even in your front yard! This is an abandoned baby moose I found at the beach this summer :(

Fun Fact! In small villages in northern Alaska everyone drives four wheelers and snowmobiles everywhere! Even elementary kids have their own and they drive themselves to school. This is a elementary school parking lot in a small village in Alaska. 

Home

Many have asked the question, do you live in an igloo? I am sorry to disappoint you but I do not live in an igloo. My house is quite similar to any other average house you will find. What makes it unique is the atmosphere.

Home is different for everyone, obviously home for me is in Alaska. The best feeling ever is coming from the cold snowy weather and walk into my warm house and see a beautiful fire in the fireplace in my living room. This fireplace brings my family together every afternoon. The whole family sits around the fire to do homework, take a nap, or even sometimes to eat dinner. Because of the close community I live in, neighbors, family and friends will just walk into my house and enjoy an afternoon in my home. It is always exciting to see who will show up at my house, I love how everyone is so comfortable just walking into my house and spending time with my family. All the conversations we have had around this fire with frieds and family, in my living room will never leave me.