Our town - Gustavus, Alaska

Welcome to the Buchheit family blog! 

It's been an exciting transition from Virginia to our new home in Alaska. Even though family moves are not unusual, a move to a remote community in southeast Alaska is unique!

Through this blog, we hope to keep in touch and share our life in Southeast Alaska. It will be haphazard at first, as we catch up with the move and the seasons.

We'll start with our new hometown, Gustavus.

Gustavus has about 450 year-round residents and was incorporated as a city a few years ago. It is not an island, but since it is surrounded by ocean and tall mountains, it is only accessible by plane or boat. In the summer Alaska Airlines jets fly in, otherwise small planes, private boats and, recently, the Alaska Marine Ferry provide transport in and out. The ferry just started running regularly last year, which has made a tremendous difference with getting supplies. We were able to drive our car with trailer and kids from Virginia right to our new doorstep! Previously you had to coordinate with barges to get cars here (which meant that they never left once here). Also, occasionally, we can take the car over to Juneau, fill it up with supplies and get back a few days later without paying air freight. Big changes!

To start - here is a photo tour of our town.

Ethan getting off of his first small plane flight, after a Doctor visit to Juneau (there is a great full time clinic here, but any specialist visits involve a trip to Juneau).

The "new" dock out to the ferry. Often adorned with eagles and ravens.

The typical ferry to and from Juneau, the LeConte.

Our post office (to the left is the ice skating pond, and behind it is the softball field.

Our gas station. Fuel has been $4.90 a gallon, but we only have to fill up once a month!

The K-12 school of 60 students. You can see the wonderful new playground and the great library in the distance.

Our temporary home in government housing. Cozy and just right for now. Right in town.