I'm going to Alaska for six months and I'm bringing...

I was reminded of the classic thought game during the otherwise awful movie The Astronaut Farmer on the flight up here, but play along for a moment and consider the problem of what you'd bring to Alaska from home, what you'd plan to buy when you got here, and what you'd think you could do without. What's important to you? On what do you rely? What can be replaced cheaply? What do you have that really is unnecessary? We are quickly learning that there are a lot of things we simply didn't consider, and that we've become somewhat soft, and can't do without as much as we'd hoped.

If this game does not seem hard, here are some of the constraints. You can bring two suitcases per person, less than 50lbs each. You need clothes & boots, the warm stuff. Shipping is by priority mail; parcel post takes 3-5 weeks (this is true for the return trip too, so everything bought here gets sold or donated in the last week). Shipping things ordered off the internet is outrageously expensive and/or slow. Craigslist is active here, as the community as a whole is pretty transient.

Finally, next time you go to the store, when you're standing in the aisle about to throw any stinking thing in the cart, ask yourself, "Is it possible to do without this for a few months?" Answer the question again, knowing you already have one at home, and this one costs 20% more because you're in Alaska.


Possibly surprising things we brought:
Good cookware, knives, spices, colander, cookies sheets, bowls and hand mixer.

Cables; we had a whole 21" suitcase that was primarily cables (we're not bringing the TV, but we need some way to connect the DVD player when we get there, and do I want to drop $40 on another set?).

Silverware; basic hardware (hammer, pliers, screwdrivers). You need it, and we shipped it in one flat-rate box.

Sheets and towels. Expensive to replace with acceptable quality.

Good birdwatching binoculars; good camera & lenses (OK, not surprising).


Things we planned to buy:
A dining table; chairs; computer desk; aerobed; bike; pillows; coffee maker; a small set of dishes; TV; car.


Where we've caved:
Wine glasses. I broke down before having a bottle of Conundrum with some king salmon. $3 for a mis-matched set of four (two commemorate a conference that occurred in 1994) at the thrift store.

Pyrex pie pan/baking pan. $24 for a 10 piece set, after rebate.

Distilled spirits. I HAVE EXPECTATIONS FOR FATHERS' DAY!

A pepper mill. $5 for a jar of peppercorns with multi-coarseness grinder top.

Soren's walker. He's just weeks from walking by himself, right? No, he wants to walk around, and needs a colorful plastic cart to do it. $30.

A microwave. Soren got tired of cold food after 3 days. $50.

Dutched cocoa. We have tons (OK, pounds) of Callebaut at home. Droste is $11/8oz.


Where we're still holding out:
A "real" mattress. We got the double-height queen aerobed. The alternatives are not good: very expensive new mattress, or a used mattress.

A "real" couch. We're still searching for a futon that will double as a guest bed. They are available on craigslist, but...

A toaster oven. Didn't think we'd miss it, but we do.

A vacuum. We're rapidly losing this battle, as the carpet accumulates a thick layer of Cheerio dust.

Good balsamic vinegar. We bought cheap stuff. It is...not great.

Paper towels. We're going to use 16 rolls in the next six months (one of us is a very messy eater). But we can't bring ourselves to buy the mega-pack at Costco.

Clothing organizers. We each have a cardboard box in the closet.

A TV remote. Ours didn't come with one (we blame Craig and his list).