Relocate! Magazine Spring 2016 by Publish in Paradise

Bringing You Destination Options for Relocation Relocate! Magazine is published by Publish in Paradise, a subsidiary of Rechovot LLC For advertising inquiries, please visit us online or email ads@publishinparadise.com © 2016 Publish in Paradise PublishinParadise.com

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Publisher: Angela J. Richards relocate@publishinparadise.com Contributors: Angela Richards Henry Masters (photos) Eric Lock (photo) Sean Smith (photo)

On the cover: Orcas breaching outside of Juneau, Alaska. Photo by Henry Masters, used with permission. See more of his work at www.akadventureimages.com

From the Publisher… With this spring issue we continue our journey through Southeast Alaska to the capital, Juneau. I visited Juneau last summer and thoroughly enjoyed my time there. I wasn’t there long enough to do all I wanted to do or to see all the beauty of this area, so I do plan to return when time allows. Many years ago I lived in Juneau, but at that time I had five children to care for, along with attending the University of Alaska Southeast, so my time (or disposable income) did not allow for me to really get out and enjoy all that Juneau has to offer its residents. When I left after five years, a piece of me stayed behind and the pull of Juneau will always bring me back to explore more of this beautiful community in Southeast Alaska.

Angela

Auke Lake in Juneau, Alaska is a great place for kayaking and enjoying the beauty of nature. Photo by Angela Richards

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Departments Explore our Country 12

Exploring Juneau, the Capital City of Alaska

People of the Land 6

Q&A with Alaskan Fisherwoman LaDonna Gundersen

Preparedness 4

Building a Disaster Preparedness Kit

On the Move 9

Relocating Via The Alaska Marine Highway

Transitioning to the Next Phase of Living

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Photo courtesy of Getty Images

atural disasters - hurricanes, floods, tornadoes and earthquakes - can be unpredictable. That's why organizations like the American Red Cross urge people to prepare ahead of time. You may have an emergency plan in place, so everyone in your family knows what to do and where to go if a disaster strikes. What you may not have is a disaster preparedness kit. In the event of an emergency, there often isn't much time to search for or stock up on supplies. You can create your own

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disaster preparedness kit ahead of time with some basic household items.

Weather Radio A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio broadcasts continuous weather information from the nearest national weather service and keeps you updated on potential weather-related issues that could arise. These radios are vital because they can keep you updated on the weather when the local news may be inaccessible due to power outages.

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Nonperishable Food When disaster strikes, access to fresh, perishable foods and refrigeration may be limited, so it's important to have nonperishable food items readily available. Such items include ready-to-eat canned foods, granola or fruit bars high in protein, dried fruit or vegetables, nuts and low sodium crackers. If you choose to include canned items in your kit, also remember to have a manual can opener handy.

First Aid Supplies You probably already have a first aid kit readily available. Make sure that kit is easily accessible or make sure your disaster preparedness kit has common first aid supplies in it. Basic first aid supplies should be accounted for, including adhesive bandages, compression bandages, tape, gauze, antibiotic ointment, antiseptic wipes and rubber gloves. Pain relievers, such as aspirin, are also good to have on hand.

Flashlight and Batteries Power outages are a common result of natural disasters, and stumbling through darkness can be dangerous. Be prepared with a flashlight and usable batteries. Be prepared by checking your battery supply frequently.

Bleach After a natural disaster, water may not be safe to drink. If water supplies are compromised and you don't have power to boil water, you can create potable water with a few drops of unscented disinfecting bleach, such as Clorox. It is also useful to have bleach on hand for cleanup, to disinfect hard surfaces and help prevent mold and mildew. In fact, Clorox has worked with the Red Cross for more than 40 years to donate bleach for recovery efforts following natural disasters. "Clorox is an invaluable partner to the American Red Cross," said Trevor Riggen, regional chief executive officer, Red Cross Northern California Coastal Region. "Their donations help victims of disaster recover during the most difficult times."

To learn more about disaster preparedness, visit RedCross.org and Clorox.com. Source: Clorox | Family Features

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QA LaDonna Gundersen

Alaskan Fisherwoman, LaDonna Gundersen loves her life in Alaska. Photo by Ole Gundersen. 6 | Relocate! Magazine Spring 2016

By Angela J. Richards ÂŠ 2016 Publish In Paradise | RelocateMag.us for Relocate! Magazine

LaDonna Gundersen was born in Covina, California. She was living in Washington when she met and fell in love with an Alaskan commercial fisherman, Ole Gundersen. In 1986 LaDonna relocated to Alaska with her new husband. As chief deckhand and galley cook aboard the couple’s 32-foot commercial fishing vessel, LaDonna is responsible for all the meals. Her cooking has taken on a creative flair and has been met with challenges, such as finding the space to cook in a tiny kitchen. She has overcame those challenges and shares her fabulous recipes with her line of Alaskan cookbooks.

What inspired you to move to Alaska? I fell in love with a fisherman from Ketchikan, Alaska while living in

What do you enjoy the least? Being a commercial fisherman, I am away from my home during the summer and I miss not being able to have a garden. What do you do to combat the isolation that living in the islands of Southeast Alaska can bring? I enjoy getting together with friends, family and entertaining. When you live in a remote environment that lends itself to long days, hard work, and at times extreme weather conditions, you will find Alaskans looking for any excuse to get together. Clear skies, warm sun and a day off is the perfect opportunity to gather with friends and family. The times we get together we re-energize, regroup and celebrate the hard work that has been done and get ready for the work week ahead.

“I'm a California girl that got hooked on Alaska, fishing and husband Ole (not necessarily in that order!) more than twenty years ago and never looked back.” – LaDonna Washington. We married and moved to his home town. Was it a difficult transition? Not at all. The support of my husband's family made it a lot of fun. What do you enjoy most about living in Alaska? There is so much to love about Alaska! The freedom, fresh air, wildlife and fishing! I enjoy the people of my community and the connection I have with those that fish for a living in Southeast Alaska.

In the years you have lived in Ketchikan, you have carved out quite a niche for yourself with your love of cooking combined with your life on the Alaskan waters. Tell us a little about the journey: I started cooking from scratch due to a severe sensitivity to additives in packaged foods. As the years rolled on cooking aboard a fishing vessel I had developed quite the library of a variety of different recipes. See “LaDonna” next page

LaDonna cont…

In 2007 the fish prices were extremely low and the fuel prices were really high and my husband, Ole, and I decided to diversify a bit into Ketchikan's blossoming tourism industry and write cookbooks together sharing our stories of challenge, adventure and humor. In 2008 we released our first book Alaskan Rock'n Galley, in 2011 we released Salmon, Desserts & Friends, in 2014 My Tiny Alaskan Oven was released and then last spring 2015 the first of a mini-series The Little Alaskan Salmon Cookbook was published. Next spring we will release two more books: The Little Alaskan Halibut Cookbook and The Little Alaskan Crab & Shrimp Cookbook.

LaDonna holding her cookbook “My Tiny Alaskan Oven”. Photo by Ole Gundersen

I love working alongside my husband. And I love the Alaskan lifestyle. It isn't worry free, luxurious or comfortable at times. But it's perfect for me. For our readers who are thinking of taking the "Polar Bear Plunge" and relocating to Alaska, what advice would you offer? Go for it! It will be the best experience and adventure of a lifetime! And when you get to Alaska, get outside every day, and don't let the rain stop you from doing the things you love. If you could go back in time, what would you do different in regards to relocating to Alaska? I wouldn't change a thing. Moving to Alaska was the best decision I have ever made. It is who I am and I get to share it with the love of my life! R!

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By Angela J. Richards for Relocate! Magazine

The MV Malaspina leaving Auke Bay in Juneau. Photo by Brian Adams courtesy of Alaska Marine Highway System.

n Southeast Alaska, many of the island communities are only accessible by boat or plane. If you are relocating to Alaska from the “lower 48 states” then an easy and inexpensive option is to grab your back pack, a suitcase on wheels and hop on the ferry at Bellingham, Washington. For those wanting to take their vehicles to Alaska then traveling via the Alaska Marine Highway is the way to go, without needing a passport to get through Canada. “The Alaska Marine Highway System operates a fleet of 11 vessels along a scenic 3,500-

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mile route from Washington State to the Aleutian Islands,” as stated on the website (FerryAlaska.com). “From the deck of the ships riders can enjoy the view of vivid blue glaciers, snow-capped mountains, active volcanoes, majestic fjords and lush green forests. Passengers will also find ample opportunities to view wildlife such as porpoise, bald eagles, sea otters, whales and perhaps even bears along the coastline.” If you are moving to Alaska with your pet, then be prepared with a health certificate from a veterinarian approving them for

When traveling on the Alaska Marine Highway ferries, you can rent a cabin or just pitch your tent right out on the deck!

For those without a cabin or a tent, there are sleeping accommodations inside the ferries, as well as the outside solarium which is equipped with heaters.

Even the overcast skies cannot darken the beauty of the nature of the land in Alaska.

travel. If your pet is an exotic or something other than a cat or dog, then you may also need a permit. According to Danielle Doyle, Marketing Manager for the AMHS, pets are welcomed aboard the ferry. All pets are required to be on the car deck, except service animals, and must be in a vehicle or in a pet carriers. Pet carriers are not provided. Good to be aware of all thing necessary when planning to relocate with a furry friend.

Photo by Brian Adams / Alaska Marine Highway System

Whether for relocation purposes or for pleasure, traveling on the ferry is an enjoyable and relaxing experience, aside from any rough weather. People from all over the world travel on the ferry system giving you ample opportunity to meet some other friendly folks who are exploring Alaska. R!

Source: Alaska Marine Highway System Photos by Angela J. Richards for Relocate! Magazine unless otherwise indicated.

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By Angela J. Richards for Relocate! Magazine

f you are exploring destination options in Alaska, then don’t pass by Juneau, the capital city. Besides being a bustling little Alaskan community, it is full of attractions, activities and natural beauty, not just or the many visitors and tourists, but for the approximately 33,000 people who call Juneau home. Among some of the activities enjoyed in Juneau, depending on the season, are ice skating, skiing, snowboarding, tubing, exploring beaches and caves, walking/hiking/bicycling trails, camping, fishing, hunting, nature viewing, boating/kayaking, swimming, scuba diving, musicals, plays, theatre, poetry readings, art galleries, museums, winetastings, golfing, and shopping, to name a few. In order to experience all that Juneau has to offer, you cannot just visit, you must become one with the community. Downtown Juneau caters to the many visitors and tourists with a Mt. Roberts Tramway above downtown Juneau. Photo courtesy Juneau CVB.

See “Juneau” next page A sign in downtown Juneau tells the brief history of Alaska’s capital city.

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Juneau cont. from pg. 13

vast array of unique shops, restaurants, and motels. Nestled within the busy, fastpaced “tourist attractions” are establishments for tourists and locals alike. One cannot breeze through all there is in downtown Juneau in a day, if you do, you just may A sidewalk sign miss the gems of the displayed beside an ice cream cart in city, such as the welldowntown Juneau, loved “Pel' Meni” cafe Alaska. which offers Russian dumplings that people from all over the world come to experience. The downtown area is very suitable for a walking tour, even for locals who enjoy getting out on a sunny day and watching the people pile off the cruise ships in the summer, or to just check out the local shops that carry a myriad of items for every day living, as well as unique boutique treasures. In order to get to destinations outside of downtown Juneau, one must have some form of transportation, or you can hop the reliable city bus that will take you from downtown Juneau all the way out to the Mendenhall Valley, which offers even more activities, shopping, lodging, and the Mendenhall Glacier, which is about 12 miles from downtown Juneau. There are activities for the whole family at the glacier including picnicking, kayaking, hiking, and exploring ice caves.

For more exploring, about seven miles from downtown, you will find 50 acres of Southeast Alaska’s premier r a in f o r e s t garden, Glacier G a r d e n s . Flower Tower at Glacier Gardens. Photo by Sean According to Smith. their website, their unique Alaskan botanical gardens, featuring the one-of-a-kind Flower Towers, are set within the mighty Tongass National Forest. You can tour the gardens with a guide or by yourself and enjoy the beauty of the botanicals within the beauty of the rainforest. Auke Bay is about five miles (a ten minute drive) from Mendenhall Valley, and is full of even more opportunities for outdoors activities, and hosts a marina, Auke Lake

and various trails. The University of Alaska Southeast is nestled by Auke Lake with See “Juneau” page 16

Juneau cont. from pg. 15

There are a lot of camping opportunities in the Juneau/Auke Bay area. Photo courtesy Juneau CVB

beautiful scenic views, trails around the lake, along with a host of learning opportunities for students of all ages. If you get hungry in the Auke Bay area, Chan’s Thai Kitchen offers an amazing array of delicious Thai foods that won’t break your bank and that will overflow your plate. You cannot travel on Glacier Highway without stopping in for a delicious meal. Travel further on the highway and you have more outdoor opportunities for hiking, camping, boating, and even getting out of Juneau on the ferry via the Alaska Marine Highway, about 13 miles from downtown Juneau. Many residents of outlying communities will hop the ferry for a day trip to Juneau for shopping, such as at the local Walmart and Costco, medical appointments, or just to enjoy other parts of Southeast, Alaska. Many from Juneau will also hop the ferry to get out for a day or two to visit other communities, such as Haines, Alaska. If your destination for relocation is Juneau, Alaska, you and your family will have a lifetime of fun and exploration, and you will never regret the move. R!

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Photo courtesy of Getty Images

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nowing when it's time to move yourself or a loved one to a smaller or more accessible home, or even an assisted living center, can be tough. There are some signs that can help aid you in identifying when the time is right. Factors such as age, health and living situation can be signals that it's time to look for other living arrangements. For example, if your parents are over 70 years old and their house is more than 20 years old, there's a good chance they struggle every day just to maintain their home.

For 81-year-old Ned Kraft, he knew the time was right to consider living elsewhere after suffering a broken leg in a fall. Living in a two-story home with his wife was no longer an option and Kraft felt an urgent need to move into something smaller and without stairs to be able to manage his family's lifestyle and overall well-being. With simple upkeep and maintenance becoming difficult and close relatives and grandchildren nearby, living in a safer home environment became the top priority. If you or a family member end up needing to sell your house quickly and get into a more suitable living situation, here are a few steps to help with transitioning:

â&#x2014;? Determine How Much Space You Truly Need: Maybe that two-story,

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four-bedroom home with a spacious backyard you bought when the kids were little is more than you need now. Smaller homes and apartments are easier to maintain, and taking into account your lifestyle can help determine what to look for in your next home. If you're home a majority of the day or expect to have gatherings and guests often, you may want something a bit bigger. If your health is a concern or you'd rather not have to worry about tasks such as yard work or snow removal, something smaller

or without stairs - such as a first floor apartment, may be more your speed. â&#x2014;? Sell Your Current Home: Working with professional home buyers, such as HomeVestors, the largest home buyer in the U.S. with more than 60,000 houses bought since 1996, can get you cash quickly while also taking care of closing costs and needed repairs without the burden of showing your home to potential buyers. This would save time and money for the seller, and help one move sooner than later into their new living environment. "I just wanted to sell it as quick as I could and move right away," Kraft said. "I liked the idea of HomeVestors giving me a fair price for the house and then taking over the overwhelming amount of

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responsibilities so I didn't have to worry about cleaning it or fixing it up." â&#x2014;? Take It or Leave It: Taking inventory of everything that's been accumulated over decades and deciding what to keep, what to pass down, what to put in storage and what to sell, donate or throw away can be tough.

Find more information on how to make a smoother living transition at homevestors.com.

Source: HomeVestors | Family Features

Once you've determined what to do with all of those possessions, the professionals at HomeVestors can aid in the transition by discarding the things you no longer need or want after you move. Simply leave behind unwanted items and HomeVestors will do the rest.

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