In the Wake of the Frontier: A True Account of Living in Alaskan Isolation - Softcover

Vincent, Ruth E.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0595372562 ISBN 13: 9780595372560

Publisher: iUniverse, 2005

Synopsis

In 1954, Ruth Vincent was a young teacher and Alaska was not yet a state when her biologist husband, Bob, decided to conduct research on rugged, isolated Afognak Island. As they left Oregon for the unknown, both Ruth and Bob eagerly anticipated their pioneer adventure. Hours later, the two stood on the remote island with nothing but a shortwave radio and bush pilots as their connections to the outside world. Dressed in heels, Ruth reveals how she was ushered into her tiny new home that had looked so tidy from the air, but in reality was filled with junk. While learning to live within primitive conditions, Ruth shares how, amid stunning Alaskan scenery and idyllic peacefulness, she faced Kodiak brown bears, confronted loneliness, and welcomed critters as pets. As months turned into years, Ruth made do by brushing her teeth in the river, enhancing her meals with puffin eggs, and looking forward to mail deliveries by bush pilots. Through it all, Ruth provides insight into the importance of having a positive attitude as she and Bob learned to trust each other and their faith to find creative solutions to all their challenges. In the Wake of the Frontier vividly portrays one couple's threeyear adventure on an Alaskan island during the 1950s as they unearthed valuable lessons and made incredible memories.

About this title

Synopsis

Isolation. The Alaskan Territory. In the 1950s Alaska was not yet a state when a young woman, the author Ruth Vincent, accompanied her biologist husband to remote Afognak Island. The two were alone with short-wave radio and bush pilots as their only connection with the outside world. Months at a time would elapse without Ruth even seeing another woman. Foxes became pets, mail was delivered by bush pilots, snowshoes were essential, and puffin eggs enhanced meals. In the Wake of the Frontier vividly portrays this three-year adventure. Life on Afognak Island included coping without electricity or running water, facing Kodiak brown bears, and dealing with life-threatening situations. At the same time, the stunning Alaskan scenery and idyllic peacefulness were breathtaking. Through the author's eyes, dealing with emergencies, aloneness, and inconveniences all come alive in this engaging historical memoir.

About the Author

Ruth E. Vincent earned a Master of Education from Colorado State University and subsequently taught at elementary schools and LinnBenton Community College. She and her late husband have two married daughters and three grandchildren. Now retired and remarried to David Willis, Ruth lives in McMinnville, Oregon.

Edition details

• Publisher: iUniverse
• Publication date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0595372562
• ISBN 13: 9780595372560
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 224