So we have decided to move to Alaska. As we start to tell those closest to us, working our way further out into our circle of friends and family, we’ve had two basic responses – A mixture of excitement and envy…or complete disbelief that we will go through with it, sometimes coupled with all the reasons why it won’t work or why we will hate it…

…and of course, no surprise here, the most frequent reason for our imminent failure, or at least concern, is some version of, “It is so cold there!”

Several we have spoken to regarding the move either asked us if we were going to visit there in winter before we move permanently, or suggest that we do just that, mostly in order to gauge if the long, cold nights of winter are going to be manageable for us. While we agree, it would probably be a fairly good idea, our well-meaning friends and family seem to be missing a very simple truth.