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Log Cabin Reflections: Our Off-Grid Life on a Remote Alaskan Homestead
An urban, high-rise couple moved to a remote log cabin in Alaska part-time in 2006, full-time in 2012. Bryan loved everything about this lifestyle. Laura was intimidated and overwhelmed. The book's chapters, organized by season, share anecdotes that are often humorous, about float planes, moose, bear, heating by firewood, growing and foraging for food, kayaking, and clearing the land. A companion volume is in process, with more detailed "how-to's."
196 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 25, 2023
27 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 10, 2023
If you want to move to the wilds of Alaska, or if you simply like a rip-roaring tale of high adventure, Laura’ Emerson’s Log Cabin Reflections is a must-read! Laura tells frightening tales of destruction by black bears and grizzlies. How do you keep an 800 lb. bear from breaking through your front door when you’re away? You make a “bear mat” out of a 4’x6’ sheet of plywood by screwing about 50 long wood screws through it. Then you place it, screw-points facing up, in front of your door.
At the end of her highly entertaining and useful book, author Laura E. Emerson describes younger herself as a “dilletante.” But today, while her expertise is varied, it is deep. I would call her a polymath in the subjects of comparative religion, stock brokerage compliance, Alaskan farming, duck and chicken husbandry, Alaskan botany, bee-keeping, and natural remedies. Also, in cooking with native herbs and bear meat to make “Bear Beergignon.”
But most of all, Laura is a highly gifted writer. She named three of her chickens Stew, Curry, and Taco.” Her description of Alaskan “fireweed,” with its gorgeous violet flowers, reads like poetry.
Leaving behind successful Houston-based careers in venture capital, Laura and her husband Bryan came to Central Alaska (“Bear Country”) in 2007 and took up year-round residence in 2012. Laura was 50, Bryan was 46.
Their early years as “Cheechkakos” (Alaskan for newcomers) were spent in the school of hard knocks, learning that their suburban yard equipment and “winter” clothing were useless in the bush, where it gets 20 degrees below zero in winter, with plagues of mosquitos in the Spring. The nearest road is 40 miles away, but Bryan pilots a small pontoon airplane that lands on the large lake adjacent to their cabin.
At the end of her highly entertaining and useful book, author Laura E. Emerson describes younger herself as a “dilletante.” But today, while her expertise is varied, it is deep. I would call her a polymath in the subjects of comparative religion, stock brokerage compliance, Alaskan farming, duck and chicken husbandry, Alaskan botany, bee-keeping, and natural remedies. Also, in cooking with native herbs and bear meat to make “Bear Beergignon.”
But most of all, Laura is a highly gifted writer. She named three of her chickens Stew, Curry, and Taco.” Her description of Alaskan “fireweed,” with its gorgeous violet flowers, reads like poetry.
Leaving behind successful Houston-based careers in venture capital, Laura and her husband Bryan came to Central Alaska (“Bear Country”) in 2007 and took up year-round residence in 2012. Laura was 50, Bryan was 46.
Their early years as “Cheechkakos” (Alaskan for newcomers) were spent in the school of hard knocks, learning that their suburban yard equipment and “winter” clothing were useless in the bush, where it gets 20 degrees below zero in winter, with plagues of mosquitos in the Spring. The nearest road is 40 miles away, but Bryan pilots a small pontoon airplane that lands on the large lake adjacent to their cabin.
February 4, 2025
A Good Alaskan Tale
Having read several books now on living off the grid in Alaska, I found this book to be well-written, short, and enlightening. While several Alaska stories I read dealt with a hard scrabble life, this couple's story was not that. It seemed that they were quite well off in that they owned a small plane, had several out buildings besides their cabin, solar panels, a wind turbine, & lots of modern tools & equipment. I enjoyed their story because it was a change from other authors' tales.
Having read several books now on living off the grid in Alaska, I found this book to be well-written, short, and enlightening. While several Alaska stories I read dealt with a hard scrabble life, this couple's story was not that. It seemed that they were quite well off in that they owned a small plane, had several out buildings besides their cabin, solar panels, a wind turbine, & lots of modern tools & equipment. I enjoyed their story because it was a change from other authors' tales.
March 1, 2025
Like early day Alaska
I arrived in Alaska in 1954 to gravel streets in parts of Fairbanks, a concrete basement with no running water or toilet. Laura’s book was so reminiscent in so many ways, but so beyond what I lived. I loved every page as I was reminded of growing up in Alaska. Instructive and humorous at the same time. So very well written.
I arrived in Alaska in 1954 to gravel streets in parts of Fairbanks, a concrete basement with no running water or toilet. Laura’s book was so reminiscent in so many ways, but so beyond what I lived. I loved every page as I was reminded of growing up in Alaska. Instructive and humorous at the same time. So very well written.
February 5, 2024
Excellent book
This book was well written and very interesting. I love love love books about Alaska and read many. This was one of my favorites and will most likely read again. I would so recommend this to my many friends that read Alaskan books.
This book was well written and very interesting. I love love love books about Alaska and read many. This was one of my favorites and will most likely read again. I would so recommend this to my many friends that read Alaskan books.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews