Moving to an Island in Southeast Alaska

1 / 5
The Beedle’s cabin almost enclosed. Inside the cabin, there’s a classroom, recreation room, living room, family room and bedrooms.
The Beedle’s cabin almost enclosed. Inside the cabin, there’s a classroom, recreation room, living room, family room and bedrooms.
2 / 5
“There is an incredible amount of work to do when you clear a building site in Southeast Alaska.”
“There is an incredible amount of work to do when you clear a building site in Southeast Alaska.”
3 / 5
Merlin, Jayleen, Jason and Eileen Beedle venture out into the water in front of their family cabin on Shelter Island.
Merlin, Jayleen, Jason and Eileen Beedle venture out into the water in front of their family cabin on Shelter Island.
4 / 5
Chart of the area surrounding Shelter Island.
Chart of the area surrounding Shelter Island.
5 / 5
Professional wildlife photographer Jay Beedle takes you with him on his journey to Shelter Island, Alaska, in his book, “South Shelter.”
Professional wildlife photographer Jay Beedle takes you with him on his journey to Shelter Island, Alaska, in his book, “South Shelter.”

How would you like to live on a remote island in Southeast Alaska? Jay Beedle tells the story of how he and his family did just that in South Shelter(Island Images, 2014). This excerpt, which discusses the amount of preparation and planning that went into moving to a remote island, is from Chapter 2, “We Move to Shelter Island.”

Moving to a Remote Island in Southeast Alaska

“Be careful what you wish for, you might get it.” My father reminded me of this quote many times.

A million and one things needed to be figured out and completed before my family could safely live on Shelter Island. I needed to finish the tool shed so I could move those tools and we’d have a place to live; sell our house in Juneau and figure out a place to store our household belongings because our new little abode wasn’t big enough.

How do I get rid of all the junk we have accumulated over the years? What boat should I get to travel back and forth to the island? Where do I park our vehicle on the mainland? Where will we go to the bathroom on the island? How do we get rid of trash? How will we get fresh water? How will we store the fresh water? What is the best way to treat the water so it is safe to drink? How will I heat our home? How will I make a living? Where will I get a job? What if we have a medical emergency? Are we going to have enough money to build? How will we do laundry? Will our cabin need electricity? Will I need a generator-gas or diesel? Where will I store fuel? Do I get a wood stove? What kind of wood stove do I buy? Eileen wondered if she could be a good home school teacher? How would she get ready for home schooling? Who would drive the boat if something happened to me?

  • Published on Feb 10, 2015
Comments (0) Join others in the discussion!
    Online Store Logo
    Need Help? Call 1-800-234-3368