Melozi: A Teenager's Search for A Summer Job Lands Him An Adventure In The Alaska Bush

by Michael Travis

Would you send your teenager into the Alaska wilderness to work for people you never met? On June 9, 1973, 16-year-old Michael Travis put an advertisement in the Fairbanks Daily News Miner looking for work. What he got was more than he bargained for. Michael accepted an offer to help an older couple build a lodge at Melozi Hot Springs—a remote camp north of the Yukon River. The couple is shocked when they see a boy step out of the bush plane, instead of a capable man they sorely needed. Michael must prove his worth and learns quickly this beautiful land can turn deadly – handing out hard lessons. Confronted with bears, hordes of mosquitoes, and the realization he is truly on his own, Michael gradually earns his place among his employers and becomes an Alaskan.

292 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 15, 2010

About the author

Michael Travis is an environmental engineer and principal with a consulting firm in Anchorage, Alaska. He is a pilot and enjoys traveling throughout Alaska and working with fascinating people in his great state. He also is an avid golfer and tries to cram many games into the brief and intense Alaska summers. Michael lives in Anchorage with his wife Barbara and his daughter Natalie."

Reviews

[Bobby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoy reading about Old Time Alaskans as the Veerhusens were. This is a great read about Michael Travis who spent a summer during his high school years working in Bush Alaska. He documents some very colorful characters of a past time in our wonderful state. This is a great read! I highly recommend it!