There are all sorts of fun jobs one can do working for the National Park System. Today, we are excited to bring back Andrew's wife Cara on the program to talk through her first summer working for Kenai Fjords National Park. As the logistical coordinator for several research trips into the park, join us today as Cara teaches us the ins and outs of working in some of the most remote places Alaska has to offer. What do researchers call bald eagles? What are CMTs? And why was Cara looking for poop?! It's the episode Cara finally listened to!

Alaskan Beer of the Week: Four More Years by Magnetic North Brewing Company

Music By: Blackwater Railroad Company [www.blackwaterrailroad.com] and Scott Buckley [https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley]

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The walrus came up in a recent episode of our podcast and we felt it was time to give these incredible creatures their due with their very own wildlife spotlight. Join us on today's episode as we learn all about the largest member of the seal family. How long has the walrus been on the planet? What's the status of the Alaska Sea Life Center's latest walrus rescue? And what the heck is an oosik?! It's the episode you'll need a dictionary for!

Alaskan Beer of the Week: Silt Milk Stout Ale by Devil's Club Brewing Company

Music By: Blackwater Railroad Company [www.blackwaterrailroad.com] and Scott Buckley [https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley]

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The winter solstice seems to have more meaning the higher in latitude you travel on the globe. With this episode dropping the weekend of winter solstice, we explore the significance of the winter solstice in the Last Frontier. Join us as we discuss how the solstice has been celebrated historically by Alaska Natives to ways you can enjoy the winter solstice today. How much sunlight do various parts of Alaska receive on the winter solstice? What symbolism does the winter solstice take on in the Last Frontier? And how is Andrew's spiritual transformation affected by his Dungeons & Dragons character?! It's the episode you'll listen to in your sweat pants!

Alaskan Beer of the Week: Winter Cranberry Ale by Grace Ridge Brewing Company

Music By: Blackwater Railroad Company [www.blackwaterrailroad.com] and Scott Buckley [https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley]

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We recently found a beer named for the Alaska Railroad to review on the podcast and thought, that would be a good topic to discuss. Join us as we navigate the history of the Alaska Railroad Corporation leading up to the trips they offer passengers today as a unique way to travel in the Last Frontier. Why is the Alaska Railroad considered the backbone of the Last Frontier? Which president drove in the final golden spike? And how can passengers utilize the train today?! It's the episode you'll whistle for!

Alaskan Beer of the Week: Railroad Golden Ale by Bearpaw River Brewing Company

Music By: Blackwater Railroad Company [www.blackwaterrailroad.com] and Scott Buckley [https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley]

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With the days around Thanksgiving boasting the three most traveled days of the year in the United States, Andrew and Danny thought a great Thanksgiving tie in episode would be to learn about the great Alaska migrations. Alaska is home to the largest migrations in the world by land, air, and sea! Join us as we delve into what animals make such incredible journeys that would make your Thanksgiving travel plans look like a cake walk. What animal boasts the longest migration in the world? How far will caribou walk in their life time? And what animal doesn't need GPS to find their way home?! It's the episode you'll listen to on your Thanksgiving road trip!

Alaskan Beer of the Week: Basic Birkenstocks Ale by Girdwood Brewing Company

Music By: Blackwater Railroad Company [www.blackwaterrailroad.com] and Scott Buckley [https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley]

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Andrew's maritime career took a wild turn recently as an international expedition cruise ship company short on Alaskan seamen called up Andrew from the bullpen. In a few short days, Andrew flew down to Seattle, back to Anchorage and then out to Nome, Alaska to embark on an Alaskan adventure that would take him a dozen places over in the Last Frontier he hadn't laid eyes on before. Listen in as we put Andrew on the hot seat to share his experience sailing the seas of Alaska.

Alaskan Beer of the Week: Cold Pale Ale by Alaskan Brewing Company

Music By: Blackwater Railroad Company [www.blackwaterrailroad.com] and Scott Buckley [https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley]

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Our schools of red and silver salmon fared quite well in Part One of our two part mini D&D series chronicling the life cycle of a salmon. But that's all about to change. The most treacherous part of our journey, the swim upstream, is not for the faint of heart. Join us as we brave the return waters of our natal stream. How many salmon can a brown bear eat? What percentage of salmon make it back home to spawn? And how does the poop cloud fare against an ancient white dragon?! It's the episode that's been universally heralded as a critical hit!

Alaskan Beer of the Week: Treat by Midnight Sun Brewing Company

Music By: Blackwater Railroad Company [www.blackwaterrailroad.com] and Scott Buckley [https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley]

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Last Halloween, we introduced another nerd component from our lives to this podcast with our first annual Halloween themed Dungeons & Dragons episode. And while last year was fun in discussing the intersects between Alaska and the fantasmic realms, on today's episode we get out our dice set and play. Join us on this two-part adventure where we play out the life cycle of a school of salmon to see how many, if any, of our redd will survive long enough to spawn. Can fantasy salmon talk? Is it okay for red and silver salmon to mingle? And how effective is a poop cloud as a defense strategy against a harbor seal?! It's the episode you'll listen to in a bourbon barrel!

(There is a slight muffle sound at the beginning of the episode. Apologies for the sound quality. It is gone by the 15 minute mark.)

Alaskan Beer of the Week: Bourbon Blend Reginald Van Horn Barrel Aged Barleywine by Black Spruce Brewing Company

Music By: Blackwater Railroad Company [www.blackwaterrailroad.com] and Scott Buckley [https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley]

Support Us on Patreon: [https://www.patreon.com/thelastfrontier]

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