A long, Long Watch: Volume III of III: Life in Alaska: 1946 to 1963

A long, Long Watch: Volume III of III: Life in Alaska: 1946 to 1963

Aniak (Alaska) fulfilled G. David Gitkov’s longtime dreams of being a frontiersman and sailor, but the separations caused them much angst. With six kids, daily life was an ongoing chore for Rose—there was no running water, electricity, telephone, local dentist, or doctor. David and Rose lived through their letters too much of their married life, each desperately missing the other—this followed them even in their post-Alaska days. Life in Juneau (Alaska) improved significantly for family life because there weren’t any long separations. Captain G. David Gitkov enjoyed the challenges of being both operator and master of the MV Chilkoot and, later, MV Chilkat. Still, the home had no electricity [temperamental generators], telephone, or reliable running water. This final volume concludes G. David’s narrative of his life and aspirations, along with trials and tribulations. Captain Gitkov’s narrative focuses on geography, his work, and, the latter part, on politics—specifically regarding the “Marine Highway.” Letters and diary excerpts provide greater insight into Gitkov’s daily Alaskan life from 1946 to 1963.