Ketchikan resident Larry Jackson and I discuss the realities of building a remote Alaska cabin — from digging footings through muskeg and timing tides to unloading bundles by boat and getting help from a buddy with a landing craft. We cover practical lessons on logistics, dock and launch etiquette, dealing with weather and materials, the joys and pitfalls of DIY projects, and why knowing your goals matters more than romanticizing remote life.

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