My Dad Dr. Jim Isenberg aka “Izo” and his BFF (BEST FRIEND FOREVERRRRRRR!!!!) Larry Boxer aka “Box” just got back from a ten day excursion to Alaska, a trip they had been planning for a couple months and awaiting their whole lives.  Both in their mid-60’s, they have been friends since their hippie days in Berkeley, California, roughly 35 or 40 years ago.  Now in 2008, they live on opposite coasts but still maintain their BFF status.  Check out the post-trip interview…

Ip: Why Alaska?

Izo:  I always wanted to go to Alaska since I was a little kid.  Living in LA, there was (I think) a TV show about the ALCAN highway which ran up to Alaska.  I was entranced with truck driving and the long ride to a very cold place.  When I read Jon Krakauer’s Into the Wild, I was again taken with the Alaskan wild.  Though, I’m basically a “wuss”, I thought it would be worth the challenge.  So off to Alaska!

Box:  It’s different and unique. Called “The Last Frontier,” it has that about it. Hippies and gun nuts, the whole spectrum of the disaffected.

Ip:  I notice neither of you married men wear a wedding ring.  Did either of you get hit on by any Alaskan women during your trip?

Box:  I’m sure you are familiar with the expression, “Had to beat them off with sticks.”  No wedding ring and I don’t wear underwear, either.

Izo:  No hits by Alaskan women as our age is the issue not the rings!   Still we did have some great conversations with young women who delicately gave us guidance and a pat on the head!  And I loved Humpy’s in Anchorage and was prepared to dance all night and “enjoy” the pleasure of this great food and bar scene.

Ip:  What are the major differences between the Alaskan lifestyle and living in the suburbs?

Izo:  First of all the style of dress was shared by all of us.  By that I mean, Box and I were quite comfortable with our stained t-shirts as we were considered well dressed in Alaska.  I haven’t seen many bears in Westchester, but the deer and worms keep me jumping, at times.  I loved the wilderness and I couldn’t say that there’s much of that in the White Plains world.  Still, the people in both Alaska and the suburbs can be wonderful, but the Alaskans win out as they made choices to be there even when it’s incredibly cold or daylight all day and night.

Box:  No difference at all. The similarities abound: same wild bears in the garage, same 8-inch thick parkas, same groups of 12 sleeping together foot over ass, same risk of being eaten while on a shopping adventure,  same remodeling problems (except ice is easier to deal with), same trouble starting the older dogs in winter.

Ip:  What was the best meal you had on your trip?

Box:  Moose ass, hands down. Succulent and aromatic. With a side of frozen everything (the locals just go out and pick it up off the ground).  Nice balance.

Izo:   Best meal goes to Homer’s Sourdough Cafe.  Great atmosphere, down home, halibut omelette and one of the sweetest tastiest date/pecan bars ever eaten by man or bear!   I also loved the Anchorage breakfast spot as I’d like to be transported there daily with the NY Times and a cup of decaf.  Very cool atmosphere that goes beyond anything in WP.  Finally, good halibut all around though one meal in Seward had coconut sauce which was a bit too “chefy” for my taste!

Ip:  Did you FIND YOURSELF on this trip?  Any major life breakthroughs?

Izo:  Well, when I returned, my friend Lenny Hamm had a good laugh about my “bucket list”.  I’m getting older, so this was one of my personal dreams.  No breakthroughs, a bit of mortality thinking, a few fears of flying and boating during the trip, but overall just good fun all around. I’ve got some new dreams so the Alaska venture just reminds me of my own mantra that is “you’ve got only one life to live, so live it!”   Alaska reminded me of that mantra and the fact that the word “fun” has to be brought back into my lexicon.  As to finding myself, I don’t think I was lost, but I sure could see how one could drift “into the wild” forever in Alaska.  Amazing place!

Box:  I find myself wherever I am. Usually at night. Snuggly under the covers.

Ip:  Tell us about your flight to the top of Mt. McKinley.  Walk us through it.

Izo:  Well it was the flight to Denali, not Mt. McKinley, as the Alaskan state legislature has formalized Denali as the official name for this Alaska mammoth mountain.  It’s actually a good story about the naming as President McKinley never went to Alaska only named it because of a political gambit dealing with the gold standard.  Of course, this has nothing to do with the remarkably fun flight.  It was a perfect “10” day and we flew in a small plane with four other folks and a wonderful pilot.  We had a ball and did not even feel an air bump, though we were able to reach out and touch the summit of Denali….not!  We could have if the windows opened.

Box:  I haven’t been that high since Woodstock. The plane took off and started to gain altitude immediately. Two-prop, 8-seater with me in the front seat. About the time we felt like you could reach out and touch the side, we were informed that it was two miles away. Tremendous views of the snow. It’s white.

Ip:  What do old friends like the two of you talk about when you’re traveling?  Chit Chat?  Bullshit?  Your wives and kids?  What?

Box:  Mostly about world affairs and “to die for” shoes (mostly that’s Jim.) Sometimes we went off on Heisenberg’s Theory of Indeterminacy or the rectitude of Kantian Categorical Imperatives but that was mostly just before dropping off to sleep.

Izo:  We talked about Boxer’s driving habits and the constant fear that he might try to pass someone on the highway without much forethought, but loads of bravado!  We talked of family, stories of other friends alive and dead and most about what we should do for our next meal.  I did a few imitations of our Denali park tour driver and tried to imagine Box in this “service-type” role.  He of course laughed about my daily calls to your Mom and we actually just enjoyed the extended time together.  It was a pretty easy partnership in spite of the fact that we’re both basically husbands tied to our wives whom we love beyond any reasonable doubt!  Sad, but true.

Ip:  What was the ultimate highlight of your “Into the Wild” adventure?

Box:  The sight of an animal, way off in the distance. A grizzly bear or a mountain sheep, I could never tell which, so far off were they. At one point we saw a moose (or a cow…hard to tell) without any ass. Chefs say they grow back. Now that’s renewable resource management.

Izo:  I loved Homer and catching all of those halibut.  For a true novice fishing guy, the catch of a 30 pound fish pulling on you is really amazing.  I also loved being outdoors for so many hours of the day, it was really great.

Ip:  What’s next?  Will you two travel together again?  If so, where?

Izo:  Hopefully a trip to Turkey with your Mom for our 40th anniversary and a lot of racquetball with Box when I’m home in Oakland. 

Box:  I cannot travel with Jim. I can only travel behind him. In 15 steps he’s 8 feet in front of me, and still talking.

Young Ip with Izo and Box back in the day.  Here’s my Alaska music picks…