Alaska (MJP) —
The Last Frontier, where the sun sometimes forgets to set and moose outnumber people. If you’ve ever chatted with an Alaskan or visited this vast wilderness, you might have noticed they have their own unique way of doing things.
From embracing extreme weather to peculiar pastimes, here are 12 things people from Alaska do that might seem downright crazy to everyone else.
1. Treat Sub-Zero Temperatures Like a Mild Chill
In Alaska, a -20°F day is no reason to stay indoors. You’ll find locals jogging, biking, or even grabbing an ice cream. It’s not cold until your eyelashes freeze together!
2. Keep Cars Running… All the Time
Why turn off your car when you run into the store? In the dead of winter, Alaskans leave their engines humming to prevent them from freezing up. It’s not laziness; it’s survival.
3. Share the Streets with Moose
Seeing a moose blocking traffic is just another Tuesday. Instead of honking, Alaskans patiently wait or take a detour, treating these massive creatures like VIP pedestrians.
4. Celebrate 24 Hours of Daylight
When the sun decides to party all night in the summer, so do Alaskans. Midnight hikes, 2 a.m. barbecues—sleep is optional during the endless days.
5. Participate in the Iditarod Festivities
While the rest of the world watches football, Alaskans are cheering on dog sled teams racing over 1,000 miles. It’s the Super Bowl of sled dogs!
6. Use Planes Like Taxis
Need to visit a friend in a neighboring town? Hop on a bush plane. With limited roads, flying is as common as taking a bus—just with better views.
7. Refer to Spring as “Break-Up”
No, it’s not about ending relationships. “Break-up” season marks the time when ice and snow melt, turning roads into slushy obstacle courses.
8. Go Fishing in Freezing Temperatures
Ice fishing isn’t just a hobby; it’s a way of life. Drilling a hole in a frozen lake and waiting for a bite in sub-zero temps? Pure bliss for an Alaskan.
9. Stockpile Supplies Like It’s an Art Form
Two Texas Cities Named Among the Worst for Cleanliness in America
Grocery store 200 miles away? No problem. Alaskans buy in bulk, filling pantries with enough provisions to last through any surprise blizzard—or three.
10. Casually Mention Bear Encounters
“Sorry I’m late; there was a bear on my porch.” Close encounters with wildlife are so common that they barely warrant a raised eyebrow.
11. Eat Unconventional Delicacies
Ever tried muktuk (whale blubber) or akutaq (Eskimo ice cream made with animal fat)? Alaskans have a taste for the unique, to say the least.
12. Wear Shorts at 40°F
When the thermometer hits 40°F after a long winter, out come the shorts and flip-flops. It’s practically tropical!
So there you have it—12 quirky habits that make Alaska wonderfully unique, even if they leave outsiders a bit baffled. These eccentricities are all part of the charm that defines life on the Last Frontier. So next time you venture up north, don’t be surprised if you find yourself adopting a few of these Alaskan ways—you might just discover your inner adventurer!
