The Call of the Last Frontier : The True Story of a Woman's Twenty-Year Alaska Adventure

"I went to Alaska for a job and found a twenty-year adventure!" -Melissa L. Cook In 1995, schoolteacher Melissa Cook and her young family spent two years in the isolated Aleut village of Nelson Lagoon on the edge of the Bering Sea. They later settled in the Tongass National Forest on Prince of Wales Island, where they measured rain in feet. With humor, vivid detail, and heart-pounding excitement, Melissa recounts her family's day-to-day joys, struggles, and captivating adventures. Throughout the book, Cook weaves in historical information about Alaska's past, including the Aleut internment camps during WWII, old logging camps in southeast Alaska, and the sinking of the S.S. Princess Sophia in 1918. For those seeking inspiration to chase their dreams and push beyond their limits, Cook's memoir is a must-read. Her story is a testament to the resilience required to overcome adversity and the power of adventure to transform lives. This tale will surely delight Alaska adventure fans and anyone who has ever dreamed of traveling or living in the Last Frontier. "This book helped me live adventures I'll never have but desperately want." -Aaron Linsdau, Polar Explorer, best-selling author of Antarctic Tears "An inspiring story of strength and grit." -Ann Parker, best-selling author of Follow Me to Alaska "It's all here-living in bush Alaska, fighting off men, packing a pistol for bear protection, suffering the ravages of weather, flying with white-knuckled fear, facing down hundred-mile an hour winds as well as fearing erupting volcanoes. And that's only part of their journey. You had to be there. Oh, wait. Melissa's book takes you there." -Larry Kaniut, best-selling author of the Alaska Bear Tales Series Western Horizon Award Winner 2022 High Plains Book Award Finalist 2022 "I went to Alaska searching for a job and found an adventure!" Melissa L. Cook Its all hereliving in bush Alaska, fighting off men, packing a pistol for bear protection, suffering the ravages of weather, flying with white-knuckled fear, facing down hundred-mile an hour winds as well as fearing erupting volcanoes. And thats only part of their journey. You had to be there. Oh, wait. Melissas book takes you there. In 1995, Melissa Cook and her young family moved to the tiny village of Nelson Lagoon on the Bering Sea coast and later to Prince of Wales Island in the Tongass National Forest, where they measured rain in feet. She discovered humor in unique situations found only in the Last Frontier. Her true story captures the essence of bush life, intriguing neighbors, and life with multiple sclerosis. Historical tidbits are sprinkled throughout this riveting tale where adventure arrived on the Cooks doorstep daily for 20 years in this world of few luxuries or conveniences. This tale is sure to delight Alaska adventure fans. "This book helped me live adventures I'll never have but desperately want. Aaron Linsdau, Polar Explorer, best-selling of author of Antarctic Tears A well-written and accurate description of the raw edge of Alaska. A phenomenal read with a goosebump ending. Larry Kaniut, best-selling author of the Alaska Bear Tales Series An inspiring story of strength and grit. Ann Parker, best-selling author of Follow Me to Alaska Western Horizon Award Winner High Plains Book Award Finalist Larry Kaniut, The Author Of The Alaska Bear Tales Series, Writes, It's All Here-living In Bush Alaska, Fighting Off Men, Packing A Pistol For Bear Protection, Suffering The Ravages Of Weather, Flying With White-knuckled Fear, Facing Down 100-mile An Hour Winds As Well As Fearing Erupting Volcanoes. And That's Only Part Of Their Journey. You Had To Be There. Oh, Wait. Melissa's Book Takes You There.in 1995, Melissa Cook And Her Young Family Moved To The Tiny Village Of Nelson Lagoon On The Bering Sea Coast And Later To Prince Of Wales Island In The Tongass National Forest, Where They Measured Rain In Feet. She Discovered Humor In Unique Situations Found Only In The Last Frontier. Her True Story Captures The Essence Of Bush Life, Intriguing Neighbors, And Life With Multiple Sclerosis. Historical Tidbits Are Sprinkled Throughout This Riveting Tale Where Adventure Arrived On The Cook's Doorstep Daily For Twenty Years In This World Of Few Luxuries Or Conveniences. This Tale Is Sure To Delight Alaska Fans. It's all here--living in bush Alaska, fighting off men, packing a pistol for bear protection, suffering the ravages of weather, flying with white-knuckled fear, facing down hundred-mile an hour winds as well as fearing erupting volcanoes. And that's only part of their journey. You had to be there. Oh, wait. Melissa's book takes you there. In 1995, Melissa Cook and her young family moved to the tiny village of Nelson Lagoon on the Bering Sea coast and later to Prince of Wales Island in the Tongass National Forest, where they measured rain in feet. She discovered humor in unique situations found only in the Last Frontier. Her true story captures the essence of bush life, intriguing neighbors, and life with multiple sclerosis. Historical tidbits are sprinkled throughout this riveting tale where adventure arrived on the Cook's doorstep daily for twenty years in this world of few luxuries or conveniences. This tale is sure to delight Alaska and adventure fans. -- Back cover "It?s all here?living in bush Alaska, fighting off men, packing a pistol for bear protection, suffering the ravages of weather, flying with white-knuckled fear, facing down hundred-mile an hour winds as well as fearing erupting volcanoes. And that?s only part of their journey. You had to be there. Oh, wait. Melissa?s book takes you there. In 1995, Melissa Cook and her young family moved to the tiny village of Nelson Lagoon on the Bering Sea coast and later to Prince of Wales Island in the Tongass National Forest, where they measured rain in feet. She discovered humor in unique situations found only in the Last Frontier. Her true story captures the essence of bush life, intriguing neighbors, and life with multiple sclerosis. Historical tidbits are sprinkled throughout this riveting tale where adventure arrived on the Cook?s doorstep daily for 20 years in this world of few luxuries or conveniences. This tale is sure to delight Alaska adventure fans."--back cover