Alaska / B.C.: the toughest person I ever met.
May 27, 2012 16:04:50 #
I have been living in Alaska for almost half a century. I have been around loggers and commercial fishermen so I know what tough and rough is.Who is the toughest of them all? I am not joking, this sweet old lady living in the middle of nowhere takes the cake.Nancy Ball may be the best known recluse because National Geographic featured her in the March 2004 issue (pages 116-117) and she appeared on PBS at Billy Connolly`s "Journey to the Edge of the World" among other places.Nancy`s ranch is located in B.C.,Canada about 3-4 miles away from the Stikine river.No roads,electricity (only a little bit of solar)refrigeration or any signs of civilization anywhere.
Survival is her daily routine, surrounded by wolves and mean grizzlies.The only access to her kingdom is by a forest trail where she rides her 4x4 ATV.The winters are very tough in this area and her log cabin gets burried in snow up to the chimney.She meets only a handful of people per year and I was privileged to be one of them.Nancy, I salute you!
Survival is her daily routine, surrounded by wolves and mean grizzlies.The only access to her kingdom is by a forest trail where she rides her 4x4 ATV.The winters are very tough in this area and her log cabin gets burried in snow up to the chimney.She meets only a handful of people per year and I was privileged to be one of them.Nancy, I salute you!
Nancy`s log cabin, her "green thumb" shows.
Nancy overlooking her ranch.She does not go anywhere without her favorite rifle..
Mirror mirror on the wall,who is the toughest of them all? Nancy Ball.
Nancy transporting rare visitors.
May 27, 2012 16:16:30 #
alaskan wrote:
I have been living in Alaska for almost half a cen... (show quote)
Beautiful photos (esp. #s 1 & 4) and a beautiful lady. I wonder how she gets her supplies and from how far away. I wish I had that copy of NG, would love to read the article.
May 27, 2012 20:18:32 #
GrandmaJoy
Loc: North Carolina
That story and the photos are interesting. I would also like to meet her. Thanks for sharing.
May 27, 2012 20:30:16 #
I know a couple of ladies like that myself! Great photos of a beautiful person!
May 27, 2012 20:41:05 #
I would love to spend the weekend with her, to hear the stories and learn from her. She has spunk!
May 27, 2012 22:32:29 #
OKalphaxi wrote:
quote=alaskan I have been living in Alaska for al... (show quote)
Nancy grows whatever she can and also hunts animals for food.
She does not go shopping often because it is complicated.To go shopping she must ride her 4x4 ATV 3-4 miles till she hits the river.Then she jumps in a small river scow and goes across the river to a place where the Glenora road ends.She has an old pickup parked there and she drives to a small native Tahltan store above ghost town Telegraph Creek.I have been to that store and find it amazing how small selection of groceries people can survive with.To compare this store to even a small supermarket would be a huge ovestatement.To get a better selection she would have to drive another 70miles to Dease Lake. Thanks,Ivan.
May 27, 2012 22:35:56 #
user16618 wrote:
That story and the photos are interesting. I would also like to meet her. Thanks for sharing.
Yes, she is very nice.Thanks,Ivan.
May 27, 2012 22:36:32 #
Shane T wrote:
I know a couple of ladies like that myself! Great photos of a beautiful person!
Thank you Shane,Ivan.
May 27, 2012 22:39:36 #
May 27, 2012 22:41:02 #
Laurie wrote:
I would love to spend the weekend with her, to hear the stories and learn from her. She has spunk!
BTW this ranch used to be a big game hunting ranch for famous people (including T.Roosevelt) and also the very first airplanes landed there on their return trip from Nome to N.Y. in 1920.
Thanks,Ivan.
May 27, 2012 22:43:23 #
ggiaphotos wrote:
She gives a whole new meaning to "Independent Woman"
Yes and I never seen a busier person as well.Thanks,Ivan.
May 28, 2012 01:39:35 #
alaskan wrote:
I have been living in Alaska for almost half a cen... (show quote)
I envy her. I love staying at home, wish I lived in the middle of nowhere with my 2 horses, 2 dogs, 3 birds fish pond , my flower and veggie gardens. NO TV, doorbell or telephone. I could ride, cook, paint, play the organ and sit by my little waterfall and watch the birds, frogs and fish, get up with the sun, go to bed soon after the sun went. It would be heaven. OOPS, here I sit dreaming!
Bless her heart, she is one smart woman!
May 28, 2012 03:02:28 #
Horseart wrote:
quote=alaskan I have been living in Alaska for al... (show quote)
Yes, it sounds good but in reality it is a very difficult life.To be honest with you I would not last long in her shoes.
Thanks,Ivan.
May 28, 2012 03:56:04 #
Thanks for the great photos Ivan, and the interesting story about this independent lady.
Dan
Dan
May 28, 2012 07:35:10 #
Thank you so very much for sharing the story and pictures. What an inspiration.
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