Donna Blasor-Bernhardt
Read this book for the story. This is the story of some of the most intense perseverance I've ever read. The sheer insanity of living in an Army tent during the winter of 1977 in Tok, Alaska, is compelling. Dick and Donna Bernhardt packed up their two kids and moved from the big city of Anchorage, for all intents and purposes a city just like any other in the US, to the tiny blit on the road called Tok, population at that time: 215. They were unprepared financially to begin with, got settled extremely late in the season, and had no idea what to expect from the winter that ultimately reached -70°F (and stayed that temperature for a while).
To say these folks did it the hard way is an understatement. Sheer dumb luck, bullheadedness (and I say that in a positive sense!), hard work and belief and love in each other is the only reason I can see that they survived. These are strong people, Alaskans.
The thing is, while their story is unique, this kind of experience isn't all that uncommon in Alaska. The stories of old-timers are rife with crazy stuff like this. Alaskans reading this book may shake their heads and say "Why didn't they just drag the log with the pickup truck?" Or "Why couldn't Dick find work on the pipeline?" Older Alaskans may smile and say, "Oh yeah, that reminds me of the time we had to back up the Elliot Highway in a Model T in freezing rain..." It doesn't matter. This is how it happened, good luck, bad luck, heartbreak and joy.
The Bernhardts may have not done things the way you would have done them, but the story of how they survived is surprising and riveting. You won't be able to put this book down. Enjoy the great story.
One of my favorite books ever. I loved the adventure and the determination that Donna and Dick displayed in their first winter in Tok Alaska. Yes, it was risky to say the least,but it shows how much we can "live" when we put our heart into spirit into it. Incredible story of survival and most of all and incredible story of love!
Posted by: Kathy Thonhoff | December 05, 2006 at 07:26 AM