PART ONE INTERVIEW ON WCHS & WVAH TV with Brad Rice
TRUE PIONEERS: Meet Bonnie Ward, a Nicholas County wife who, along with her husband, gave up everything to move to ALASKA for 15 years.
Facing the harsh elements, the Wards find strength in each other, and the awe-inspiring beauty of “the last frontier.”
And just when they finally settle in, a freak accident proves to be the ultimate test of their resolve.
CLICK PHOTO TO SEE PART ONE INTERVIEW
PART TWO INTERVIEW ON WCHS & WVAH TV with Brad Rice
What would YOU DO if your husband came home, and said you were moving to ALASKA?
– Oh, and also said he QUIT his job and put the house UP FOR SALE?
It didn’t take long for a brave woman to say YES and became a “wilderness wife” in Alaska.
Rainbow over the lake near Frying Pan Island.
Frontier Home: Living Off The Grid 
Cool. Hardier than we are! I am into summer 4 on our new cabin. Finally go the wood stove installed. Your guys were fast!
Thanks, Curt! We had to be fast building our first cabin in the wilderness. Summers are short and we were living in a pup tent while we built our cabin. We worked every single day sometimes 16 hours a day to get a ‘real’ roof over our head. The only down time was when Sam had that tragic accident. Our first cabin was small though so that helped. Only 18′ x 16′. But it felt like a mansion after the pup tent!
Are you planning on writing anything else as a follow up?
Yes, LuAnn! I am working on a sequel right now. It will start where Winds of Skilak finishes.
I believe my brother Jim Matheny and wife Linda met you when they did an Alaska trip. Linda told me about you and I just returned from an Alaskan cruise. I am now reading your book. You two made for one another, I admire you!
Hello, Diana!
How wonderful to hear from you! The names of Jim and Linda are familiar. Do you know if they came out to the island to meet us? Did someone bring them? I hope you enjoyed my book. How nice you were able to take an Alaskan cruise. It’s beautiful, isn’t it! I am working on a sequel, as Winds of Skilak only covers the first two years. Thanks for writing, and please forgive me for taking forever to write back. Bonnie
Hi Bonnie, I loved your book. I do wish we were younger to give this life style a try. I’d love it. You inspire me so. I can’t wait for your next book.I’ve been curious,,, never had children huh. It would have been a great place to raise children. I’ll be looking out for your next book. Thank you. Lisa
Any idea when your next book will be out?
Hi Lisa!
Thanks for your interest and asking. Should be available this summer!
Bonnie
Thank you for getting back to me. Can’t wait to start reading.
I read your book and loved it….I lived in Alaska from 1970-1974 .I didn’t live as you and Sam however I did spend a a lot of time out in the woods hunting and fishing….I hope all is good with you two and looking forward to your next book……Bill in Colorado…..Im still living the dream also in a small mountain town….
Hi Bill! Thank you so much for reading my book. Sam and I are happy to hear that you enjoyed it. Sounds like we have Alaska in common. Great place, isn’t it? We are doing well and like you, we are also still living the dream, only now, it’s in central West Virginia! Hope to have the sequel to Winds of Skilak published within the next few months! Thanks for taking the time to drop a few lines!
Best,
Bonnie
Just finished your first book and downloaded the second one to my Kindle. I see from looking on line that you left Alaska…. can I ask why? I just imagined your both still being out there. I really enjoyed the first book and am starting the second one. I was really happy to see there was a sequal. Thank you for some very enjoyable reading.
I can’t thank you enough, Olivia, for reading my book. I hope you found the sequel as enjoyable. We lived in Alaska for fifteen years, but we were so far away from family, and just wanted to be closer. Our parents’ were growing older (Actually, my mother passed away while we still lived on the island), so we felt we needed to be closer. We loved our life in Alaska and it will forever have a special place in our hearts along with cherished memories.
Friend gave me ‘Winds of Skiklak’ and am almost done and ready to read your next. What is the name of your second book?
Hello, Raymond! Thank you for reading my Winds of Skilak, and thank your friend for me for sharing it! My second book is called Winds of Skilak The Continuing Saga of one couple’s adventures and survival in the Alaskan Wilderness. I hope you enjoy it!
Ordered it and picked it up yesterday! The friend who gave me the first version has been to Alaska twice, both times the Brookes Range for Grizzly and Dahl Sheep. Looking forward to start reading your second book and thanks for your reply.
Loved the first book. Needed something to read so I could have faith that my daughter and husband moving to Alaska nov 2021 will be ok. We just went to Alaska to see their home they are purchasing oct 1 2021 in North pole Alaska they will be there at least 5 years at the air force base in fairbanks. Elson air force base hank you Mrs ward
Hi Michelle,
I’m really happy to hear you “loved” my first book. Thank you for reading it. I’m sure your daughter and husband will love Alaska. I know we certainly did! It should prove to be a wonderful experience for them! 🙂