When you live in Petersburg, Alaska, transportation can be challenging. Located on an island in the southeastern part of the state, Shelley Hjort, her husband and her two dogs have to either fly or take a ferry to leave.
All of which is pricey — and more money than Hjort said she has this year to be able to go see her family in Seattle for Thanksgiving.
A series of unforeseen life events drained Hjort’s savings, she said. Coupled with rising costs of everyday items like groceries, plus hotels and a rental car for her trip, going to Seattle was not something they could afford, she said.
Last November, Hjort’s husband had a “severe gallbladder attack,” and during the next several months, they had to make a total of four medical trips off the island. That cut into their savings, forcing them to rely on credit cards.
Hjort, who is a trauma registrar, has also been out of work. She left her job to care for her mother who died in July. Now, before she can return to her profession, she has to take classes to update her licensing, which have to be scheduled out months in advance.
Hjort’s brother and sister-in-law expressed understanding when she told them she wasn’t coming.
