Alaska

As I finished professional school, I spent a considerable amount of time trying to get placed in the bush of Alaska doing what would amount to near peace corps work.

After returning to my hometown to marry and finish school, my wife and I were well aware that we were getting ready to plant ourselves deep into this community that we've always called home. We were scared. Of the 25 years lived, only 12 had been spent outside of these city limits, most during my early childhood. My wife had only spent 7, total. What would we miss? Would I turn 65 having spent 81.5% of my existence inside one county?

So I sat with my board results in hand. I felt safe. I felt sad. My whole life was sitting before me, mapped and planned. So I choose the road most traveled.