The Last Wilderness: Alaska's Rugged Coast
In this engaging homespun memoir, Vietnam vet McBride recounts building a life for his family in an isolated yet cherished part of Alaska. McBride first fell for Alaska while stationed in Anchorage, so in 1969, he and his young bride, Diane, moved to China Poot Bay, where they became the first Caucasian settlers. There, the couple dined on moose, collected eggs on Gull Island, and moved into an abandoned cabin by Kachemak Bay, a salmon-rich inlet with a view of glaciers. They eventually transformed this area into a home for their two children and a renowned travel destination. Blazing miles of trails, they established a retreat where guests used cameras to shoot bears instead of guns. Within five years, Kachemak Bay Wilderness Lodge was a working business and McBride was on his way to becoming a master guide. From a labor of love that endured four decades, McBride carved a career as a leader in conservation. The endearing and thrilling book includes stories about a plane crash, struggles with local government, maps, and family photos. In today's technophile world, McBride's story is a refreshing testimony to how one man's vision helped to preserve a piece of paradise. Photos.