More of the great Alaska adventure

Not only has he taken survival trips into the wilderness that include kayaking, ice wall climbing, cross country and downhill skiing, but he actually takes classes that pertain to his major, which is research science, in a natural environment.

The last three weeks of his semester will be spent living and studying on a glacier. What a fantastic way to end your first year of school.

While we are thrilled he can have these experiences, they are not something we planned for prior to last summer. Most college kids have expenses that include decorating a dorm room, buying clothing that supports their school, tickets to football and basketball games and entertainment like movies and music.

While we expected some additional costs little did we know that it would include things like climbing ropes, special insulated undies and socks. Not just hiking boots or sleeping bags but ones that are certified to 60 below zero.

We discovered that even though we purchased things like the sleeping bag ahead of time and it was tagged for the cold weather numbers, it wasn't really good enough or more importantly, warm enough. So he had to buy another.

Much of his gear couldn't even be purchased in the Midwest. We ordered it online from stores that specialize in cold weather gear. Anchorage which is also the home of the University of Alaska (Anchorage) has equipment swap meets so much of what he needs can be purchased used for much more reasonable prices than brand new, but still our son is discovering it is much more pricey than DVD's or CD's.

Bo is taking a downhill ski class this semester that is being taught by true experts. Two Nordic skiers from APU just made the Olympic team and skiing is the only varsity sport at APU.

He has been snow skiing since he was four or five years old. And, has been on mountains in Washington, Montana and Colorado. But, mostly he visited Paoli Peaks in southern Indiana with its manmade snow. Skiing down a mountain in Alaska has been a whole new experience and one he loves.

He jokes that his "walk to work" is a snow covered trail amid huge pine trees where moose and sometimes bear roam. And, it's on his campus right outside his dorm room.

I doubt he will ever want to live back in Indiana again. Although to be honest, we're hoping he'll come down to the "lower 48" where it is easier to visit.

We find it amusing that when most of his friends are off to Florida for warm weather during spring break, he is happy to be coming home to 40 and 50-degree weather.

Regardless of whether he stays in Alaska, moves to the west coast or even comes back to the Midwest, he has had a tremendous first year of college that will stay with him all his life.

"Everybody should see Alaska at least once in his or her lifetime," he tells us. "You guys have got to come."

Personally, I'm leaning toward a summer visit as it is 18 degrees here today and there is snow and ice on the roads. I think 18 hours of sunshine sounds pretty good and that only happens in Alaska in the summertime.

Now, I just have to convince my husband that it is worth the $900 per person flight to Anchorage especially when you can fly to Orlando for $145.