In 2006, I made my first trip to Alaska. I don’t even remember who told me about the series of homeschool curriculum fairs up there, but I jumped at the chance to see a place I had only dreamed about. I’ve been back every year since and I’m as excited as ever about this year’s trip. I leave tomorrow!

Why am I so crazy about Alaska? Well, if you haven’t been there, you might not understand. Breathtaking views, delicious seafood, and fun, friendly people all come to mind.

After a couple years on my own, I realized I had to share the experience with my family. I took my wife, Melanie, in 2008. Then I started with my oldest daughter, Stephanie in 2009. Taylor in 2010, Kerri in 2011. Last year, Madison was still a bit young, and Stephanie was getting ready to graduate high school, so she got to go a second time as a final high school adventure with dad. After all these years, Madison, my youngest, gets to go with me at last. I can’t wait to share this experience with her.

We do great business up there. Alaskans love WriteAtHome. In fact, we do more business in Alaska than any other state, even though the entire population is about 730,000–just a little more than Washington D.C. It’s the largest state by far–more than twice the size of Texas–but 47th in population.

But I love it for more than just the business. Over the years, I’ve become good friends with great folks. It’s like an annual reunion. The other homeschool vendors that go up there tend to form a bond–like we’ve been to summer camp together.

There are shows in Soldotna, Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau, so I get to tour around a lot. And there’s time to do fun stuff like soak in Chena Hot Springs, drive along the Turnagain Arm, catch views of Mt. McKinley, visit beautiful Homer, and hike to Mendenhall Glacier. And I can’t wait for the numerous courses of halibut and fresh salmon. Plus there’s famous cinnamon buns at the Talkeetna Road House and the Cookie Jar in Fairbanks.

We keep track of the moose we see too. The record is 19. I’ve seen a lynx and lots of caribou. I’m still waiting to see my first bear (from a distance, I hope).

Anyway, I’ve scheduled a bunch of posts to go out while I’m gone, so there will still be plenty of stuff to read and share here at the WriteAtHome Blog. If you’d like to keep up with our adventure, be sure you’re connected to us on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. We may even put up a Youtube video or two.

And if you’re in Alaska, please come to a show and say hello!