My thoughts after two weeks in Alaska

[@bradbradshaw-i4n]

i drove up there 45 years ago before the alaskan highway was paved. rocks thrown by semi trucks broke my windshield in 9 places, broke out both headlights and i had 2 flat tires. i put a topper on my 72 chev truck with a mattress in the back and i also had a tent, so i never paid to stay anywhere. i drove every road there was. i was there july 15 to september 15. the weather was like northern michigan that time of the year. i had a coleman stove and fixed my own meals. so you can save a lot of money by doing these things. i'm 70 now and glad that i did it. if you want to do things do them when you are young. life is an adventure. go for it.

[@Chris_at_Home]

I drove it in April of 1979 just a when they closed it to truck traffic for breakup. Didn’t get a flat or a chipped windshield. I drove from WhiteCourt to Wasilla in 2 days with my 2 1/2 yo son. I had a Datsun Extended Cab pickup. I’ve got a year on you.

[@aliceevans3377]

Sounds like some great experiences and great memories. Thanks for sharing.

[@fixpacifica]

I went to college in Fairbanks. Originally from Ohio. One of the things I loved about Alaska was, even as big as it was geographically, it seemed like I could go to any town in the state and run into someone I knew from the school.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I can see that!

[@robertbenson9797]

Once again Coach, you have a winner! I am a retired elementary teacher. I taught in Iowa. For several years, we received a complimentary Sunday edition of the Des Moines Register. School districts from all over the state and the country would advertise teaching jobs in the Register. It was always interesting to see what other districts were paying at the time (early 1980s). I had been teaching for ten years or so and was making some where in the upper $20,000 range. I did have my Master’s degree. One district that caught my eye for starting pay was the Bering Strait School District. Starting pay for a teacher with a Bachelor’s degree was around $60,000 a year. Coaching duties and other extracurricular activities would have added on to that amount. A few of us got to checking on cost of living in Alaska and were surprised by what we found. Every day food essentials, bread, milk, eggs, etc, were unbelievably expensive. It seems like milk was $8.00 to $9.00 a gallon. We decided it might be yak milk instead of cow’s milk. You mentioned some of the costs but did you check on what the cost of living would be now? The salaries of public school teachers was heavily influenced by Federal money coming into different tribes of native Alaskans. Facilities were top rated. Housing might be subsidized but it would be very expensive to live in Alaska. With the weather and distances between towns would be daunting. It would help if a person was self-sufficient and able to fix and repair things. Thanks for a very interesting series of episodes. You took us along to places most of us will never see.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Great comment! I’d say cost of living is still quite high, but like Bobby said he doesn’t have a car where he lives. So I think it depends on how much you would rely on yourself for sustenance in places. I’m guessing it’s twice as expensive as living in KS.

[@onrycodger]

I've watched numerous videos of folks who ventured into Alaska with their RV's. And everyone that did had tire problems along the way and talk about how rough the roads are. Thumbs up!😎👍

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I can see why! Hard to believe I didn’t get a flat tire up there.

[@ronfullerton3162]

I had thought about a motorcycle trip up there. But I only have a bagger, and the Ryders who have made the trip make it sound like an adventure bike would be better. After the road conditions report of the Wiseguy and the ryders who have been there, that sounds right. And they all recommend not only tire repair equipment, but even taking along new tires and tubes. At my age, I think old Harley and myself will stay in the lower 48!

[@Chris_at_Home]

I spent 15 years driving on the Dalton Highway in support of the pipeline. The guys on motorcycles are nuts because of the calcium they put on the roads makes them slick when wet. I’ve had jobs that have taken me to many places in Alaska.

[@glorialewis4603]

Love the shows about Alaska!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you! We've got 3 videos left from Alaska :)

[@stevesims-d6c]

Did you know qualified Alaska residents receive a dividend from the State's Permanent Fund, averaging about $1500 per year per person? The Permanent Fund comes from resource revenues, and pays for roads and utilities as well. Residents' share is 25% of the total. The residents' fund is up to about $77B. Other benefits, all of which help offset the cost of living: They also have no income or sales tax. Seniors and disabled veterans have a high property tax exemption. Residents can also catch fish for free by dipnetting up to a certain limit per year (about 55 fish for a family of 4). There are also about 10-15 species which can be hunted for free with licenses. Akaska also has one of the highest minimum wages, and overtime per 8-hr day versus 40 hr week, although smaller companies with few employees are generally exempt.

[@kimballamram552]

This left libertarian approach has meant that Alaska has the narrowest gap between the rich and poor, granted being the third least populated state helps.

[@Chris_at_Home]

The average is barely over $1,000. I’ve gotten everyone.

[@stevemccoy8138]

I almost moved to Alaska years ago, but we decided not to because of the high cost of living. Thanks for Sharing. 😊

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

No problem - thanks!

[@Friedbrain11]

I have seen the Northern Lights once and I was in Anchorage when it happened. Beautiful sight and no the pictures do not do them justice :)

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Nice! I’m jealous!

[@rolandemartin854]

Talked to a few guys that were stationed in Alaska when in Air Force. Most said that if had a chance would go back. My brother-in-law spent several years in Alaska. Starting about the time they built the Alaska pipe line.Returned to "lower 48" around 2000. He never said a lot against Alaska itself, but told about problems encountered living there. Would not be my thing.

[@robertwynn5844]

I have often wanted to live for a year in Alaska just to experience it.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Would be a great experience!

[@tinman7130]

Great format for this interview. Good to see Ricky enjoying his lunch at the end

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks! Yeah he was more interested in his food than us 😂

[@AllenCrouch-mt9fo]

Thank you for the interview

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

👍🏼👍🏼

[@user-gc2op6mc7y]

Great video my Kansan coach! I hope all is well with you and your wise guy life 😊

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you! You too!

[@justnerdystuff]

Wow, I never would have guessed you are in your early 50's - I was thinking mid to late 30's.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Well 49 for a few more months 😂

[@PSJBL]

Really interesting. Also, nice to see some of the WSU campus after more than 50 years. 😊

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks!

[@jeffjacob8062]

My sister lived in Alaska for 27 years. September is the start of winter in most of Alaska. The reason there are so little roads in most of Alaska is because of the tundra. It won't support vehicle traffic when it's thawed. I was there in 2004, and 2005, so much diversity of wildlife, it's amazing.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks! 😊

[@deborahross9974]

Hello, guys, that campus sure is big. I loved your trip to Alaska, John. And enjoyed meeting the people you did talk too, like Santa Claus and Bobby. I saw a news item this morning telling about an ice dam breaking and 300 homes were destroyed. Sure is horrible that had happened. I'll be waiting for the last video of your trip. Happy trails to you and God bless.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks! We like to think it’s about an average size campus here. Easy to get around!

[@deborahross9974]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy Since I've never been on a college campus it looks big to me. About the only two times I was at a college was when I was in high school and our junior and senior proms were there. It was at Kansas University in Lawrence. And I only saw the one place, no I don't remember what it was called and it was at night. Happy trails to you and God bless.

[@UMtiger311]

Man reindeer burgers are great. I liked the campus tour along with interview and clips. Good watch

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks! We might do more of this in the future 😊

[@roberteshaw9520]

Hey Coach. Decent review of your trip.Campus looks good Curt is running a lot. As a fast kid I partied too much, not good, so my scholarship would be in music years later. Distant running and shin splints, If I may say to Curt, concrete roads can be rough. I guess he knows that. I was a sprinter but I can remember some of our distance guys with taped up shins. All the best to you both.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Good to get a scholarship however you can get it! Thanks! Curt is a pretty healthy guy for sure!

[@JoeDirt-sf8fu]

Looks like a nice campus.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

We like it!

[@juliogonzales5441]

ALASKA COOL 😎 THANKS COACH 😊

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

😎

[@sandiewilliams238]

So you finally decided to come back Coach? You're getting kinda sneaky, slipping off for weeks at a time. Jus playin! I'm elated you made it back and you didn't lose your way. 😊

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Haha thanks! Glad I made it back as well 😊

[@jljordan1]

Wow Wichita State has changed so much from when I attended in 2006 😎

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I arrived in 2006 and can agree with your statement!

[@allenantonio4389]

Season starts soon coach...Great trip to Alaska , thank you I felt like I was there.. 5 years.Hell Yeah

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you!

[@dalehutchings6350]

As a new subscriber to your utube channel. The question I would have about your trip to Alaska was

[@derekace7471]

Did Curtis start editing video when he was like three? So glad you had so much fun in Alaska, Wise Man.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

😂😂 he’s a youthful guy!

[@TiredMomma]

Speaking of Hawaii, when is that coming up again? 🎂🎉

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I’m going there in October 😊

[@lostribe5130]

It would be torture for me to be any place with beautiful clear water that I can't get in and that includes Florida because of alligators.

[@kotaowens6978]

Heck yeah, fellow Kansan 🌻

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

🌾 😊

[@SusanHL]

I can identify with Curt's early-90's experience on that campus, graduated from WSU in '93 - it's changed so much since then....I think the dining hall used to be a parking lot (?). I'm thinking the perfect end to this series would be a black bear pushing John on a death-go-round. Did you guys film this on the day of that controlled burn last week? And a question about the shore of the Arctic Ocean - it didn't look like sand, was it just small rocks?

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Hahaha I’d need some AI for that ending 😂 and yes it was that very smoky day - nice catch! Yeah not much sand, mostly little rocks at “the beach” 😊

[@kristinakahila8914]

Talk to Dustin Porter about your opinion of Alaska.

[@shelliecollier7017]

I don't think $ 5-6k would be so bad, since I've heard of the expense in Alaska.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Yeah definitely depends on your budget. It was a big chunk for me!

[@shelliecollier7017]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy would be for me too, that's why I haven't gone to Alaska.

[@dalehutchings6350]

Sorry I must have hit the screen before I was done with my comment. I wanted to ask about the bugs 🐛, especially mosquitoes 🦟 in Alaska. I have heard they are considered the state bird. Also how humid does it get in Alaska. Final question what was the worst thing about Alaska when all is said and done. The one thing you are least likely to tell anyone.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks for the question! There were definitely mosquitoes but it depended on where you were. Not much in the Fairbanks area but in the more remote places yes. I didn’t feel like it was very humid at all. I guess worst is it’s very expensive, overall I very much enjoyed it!

[@williammatzek4660]

Western Alaska I would think is the real bear country.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Probably so but they said they see bears quite often in eastern Alaska too. Mostly black.

[@johnc7512]

I wonder what Alaskans think about kansas?

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Great question 😊

[@rossbryan6102]

ONE COMMENT ON BEARS, AND ANOTHER, WHAT ALASKANS THINK OF KANSAS! IT IS QUITE AMUSING WHILE DRIVING AN LARGE TRUCK WHEN AN BEAR WANTS TO CROSS THE ROAD! THEY NEVER CROSS THE ROAD UNTIL YOU GET BY THEM! THEY WANT TO HIDE UNTIL YOU ARE GONE. THE FUNNY PART IS, THEY WILL DUCK THEIR HEAD BEHIND AN SMALL BUSH, THINKING THAT THEY ARE UNSEEN, THEN CROSS OVER WHEN YOU ARE ABOUT 200 YARDS BEYOND THEM!! AS TO WHAT ALASKANS THINK ABOUT KANSAS , WHILE RIDING THE ALASKA RR BETWEEN ANCHORAGE AND FAIRBANKS, ROUND TRIP , I HAD AN LOCOMOTIVE CAB RIDE PERMIT ON THE NORTH BOUND PORTION. I WENT TO THE DINING CAR, AND TALKED WITH THE WAITRESS, WHO WAS A COLLEGE KID WORKING HER SUMMER TOURIST JOB. SHE ASKED WHERE KANSAS WAS WAS ON THE LIST OF POPULAR VACATION SPOTS, AND WAS QUITE SURPRISED TO LEARN KANSAS IS RATED # 50!! I TOLD HER WE HAD NO SPECTACULAR MOUNTAIN AREAS, NO THEME PARKS! WATER RECREATION IS THE STATE AND FEDERAL LAKES. I ALSO TOLD HER HISTORICAL VENUES ARE CIVIL WAR HISTORY ON THE EASTERN BORDER AREA, AND IN THE DODGE CITY AREA IT WAS COWBOY HISTORY!

[@ronfullerton3162]

We know that it would be as much a shock coming here as it was for the Wiseguy to go there. I caused me to chuckle to think that they might consider rural Kansas as too crowded as compared to the northern parts of Alaska. Too many roads? The change and difference between places is what makes travel fun and Interesting.

[@fixpacifica]

"It's so flat! Where's the beach?"

[@ronfullerton3162]

@@fixpacifica It's low tide!

[@stevehilliard1495]

Do you have a good tax man? Hopefully you can deduct some of the expenses due to your KZbin channel. I have been to Alaska twice this year between you and Hillbilly Kitchen, lucky me😎

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Haha I have a tax man - hopefully this year he’s good 😂😂

[@bertholini2810]

Give us a photo. A photo of you.... with hair. I don't care how old.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

😂😂

[@bertholini2810]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy Lol

[@book1957]

Good you did not have to show us your track skills.

[@travis303]

I haven't watched the video yet but I wanted to write this as a prediction as to what your thoughts on Alaska are. OK. Here we go. "Hated it! Worst ... State ... Ever. Nothing but a bunch of cold water and big hills. You can't even see the sunset over those big hills. And the walking, so much walking. Some towns don't even allow cars. Are you kidding me? Wish I had never gone. Thumbs down for me." Am I close? 🤣

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

😂😂

[@cliffhughes8187]

In some of your videos you talk while showing your face instead of the road way to long!