The Alaska Effect
by Stuart Murch

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? Jamaica?  Mexico? Some place nice and sunny, right? What about a small fishing community in Alaska?
         Alaska may not be the first place that comes to mind when most people think of paradise, but some people like Christine Houck, wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. Christine is the daughter of a bush pilot who moved to Alaska from New Jersey in 1981.  Christine enjoys being here in Alaska and does not want to leave. When I asked her if she would want to move anywhere else in the world, she responded “I like it up here, I don’t want to live anywhere else”.
         This place, with the scenery and the people you encounter along your journeys, make it possible for someone come and never want to leave. For people from all over the world, a journey to Alaska holds adventure and escape. What their looking for when they come here is something only they can figure out, and only they fully understand.
         When what her favorite part of Alaska was, Christine’s response was something anyone who has been to the state can understand; “The scenery is just unbelievable”. The scenery in Alaska is breathtaking; that alone is enough to convince anyone to live here. Alaska is beautiful and very enjoyable. “I like it up here,” Christine said.
         Another part of the allure of Alaska is its people. In a small town people really look out for each other and care for one another. Christine said the nice people are a great thing about her town, “If there’s a problem like somebody needs help, the community pulls together and everybody just helps each other out”.
         That seems to be the spell of Alaska, wonderful people and beautiful scenery. Alaska will make you fall in love from the very start. Call it the Alaska effect, love with the land at first sight. Either way it will draw you in and won’t let you go; you will love it.