My childhood was unique and different from the way most children grow up. Mine consisted of survival techniques that most kids do not even think about, let alone do daily. I had to watch for the different dangers of those who grew up in a populated area. The risks that I took were necessary, and I quickly learned to listen to my sixth sense about my surroundings. My reactions to certain situations would differ between living, serious injury, and even possible death.

My parents always told me that I was mature for my age, and I know part of that stemmed from growing up in the remote wilderness six miles from Talkeetna, Alaska. I recall seeing friends of my parents, who had kids, but I preferred to hang out with the adults. The stories told by the adults of remote cabins, snowmachine trips, run-ins with bears and moose were much more interesting than the conversation of kids who were only interested in talking about whom they liked at school and how they hated their homework. I could relate to the elders' stories as that was how I lived, and I loved it! It was exciting, never dull, and I had my own stories to tell just as they did. I could engage in a conversation much more accessible to them than the adolescents

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