
Winds of Skilak
A Tale of True Grit, True Love and Survival in the Alaskan Wilderness (Winds of Skilak, Book 1)
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Narrated by:
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Corinne Davies
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By:
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Bonnie Rose Ward
About this listen
Leaving behind friends, family, and life as they know it, the Wards embark on a journey into the Alaskan wilderness that will change them forever.
Winds of Skilak traces a young couple’s adventurous move from the suburbs of Ohio to a remote island on ill-tempered Skilak Lake. As Sam and Bonnie adapt to a life without running water, electricity, and telephones, the unforgiving, desolate environment tests their courage early on. Facing sub-freezing temperatures, unfriendly bears, and cabin fever, the Wards find strength in new friends, each other, and the awe-inspiring beauty of “the last frontier”. Just when they finally settle in, a freak accident proves to be the ultimate test of their resolve. Will they be able to survive in this isolated wilderness filled with unseen dangers?
Author Bonnie Ward chronicles an exciting and thought-provoking tale of one couple’s faith in God and dedication to each other through all of Alaska’s curveballs. Winds of Skilak is a true tale of absorbing force, sure to bring out your own sense of adventure.
©2018 Bonnie Ward (P)2022 Bonnie WardListeners also enjoyed...
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Story
In The Way of the Hermit, Ken shares the remarkable story of his life for the very first time. Told with humor and compassion, his unique insights allow us to glimpse the awe and wonder of a life lived in nature and offer wisdom on how each of us can escape the pressures and stresses of modern life.
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A decent book. Not the worst, not the best
- By Christian Pukala on 02-02-25
By: Ken Smith, and others
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Homestead
- A Novel
- By: Melinda Moustakis
- Narrated by: Ariel Blake
- Length: 9 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
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Anchorage, 1956. When Marie and Lawrence first lock eyes at the Moose Lodge, they are immediately drawn together. But when they decide to marry, days later, they are more in love with the promise of homesteading than anything. For Lawrence, his parcel of 150 acres is an opportunity to finally belong in a world that has never delivered on its promise. For Marie, the land is an escape from the empty future she sees spinning out before her, and a risky bet is better than none at all.
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One note story- depressing.
- By Trigger on 01-28-24
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Arctic Homestead
- The True Story of One Family's Survival and Courage in the Alaskan Wilds
- By: Norma Cobb, Charles W. Sasser
- Narrated by: Emily Beresford
- Length: 8 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
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In 1973, Norma Cobb, her husband Lester, and their five children pulled up stakes in the lower 48 and headed north to Alaska to follow a pioneer dream of claiming land under the Homestead Act. The only land available lay north of Fairbanks near the Arctic Circle where grizzlies outnumbered humans 20 to one. In addition to fierce winters and predatory animals, the Alaskan frontier drew the more unsavory elements of society's fringes. From the beginning, the Cobbs found themselves pitted in a life or death feud with unscrupulous neighbors who would rob from new settlers.
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Great Book
- By Bill Fiedler on 12-13-19
By: Norma Cobb, and others
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The Final Frontiersman
- Heimo Korth and His Family, Alone in Alaska's Arctic Wilderness
- By: James Campbell
- Narrated by: Dan Woren
- Length: 12 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
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Hundreds of hardy people have tried to carve a living in the Alaskan bush, but few have succeeded as consistently as Heimo Korth. Originally from Wisconsin, Heimo traveled to the Arctic wilderness in his feverous 20s. Now, more than four decades later, Heimo lives with his wife approximately 200 miles from civilization - a sustainable, nomadic life bounded by the migrating caribou, the dangers of swollen rivers, and the very exigencies of daily existence.
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Impressive life story!
- By Marcus on 02-25-16
By: James Campbell
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Coming Back Alive
- The True Story of the Most Harrowing Search and Rescue Mission Ever Attempted on Alaska's High Seas
- By: Spike Walker
- Narrated by: Paul Heitsch
- Length: 8 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
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When the fishing vessel La Conte sinks suddenly at night in 100-mile-per-hour winds and record 90-foot seas during a savage storm in January 1998, her five crewmen are left to drift without a life raft in the freezing Alaskan waters and survive as best they can. One hundred fifty miles away, in Sitka, Alaska, an H-60 Jayhawk helicopter lifts off from America's most remote Coast Guard base in the hopes of tracking down an anonymous Mayday signal. A fisherman's worst nightmare has become a Coast Guard crew's desperate mission.
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Outstanding Story and Performance
- By Stephen Bowlby on 05-22-18
By: Spike Walker
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Mink, Mary, and Me
- The Story of a Wilderness Trapline
- By: Chick Ferguson
- Narrated by: Justin Spencer
- Length: 8 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
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When Chick Ferguson made plans to go to the Yukon, he wasn’t planning on taking his newlywed Mary. He definitely was not planning on spending much of the next 18 years in the wilderness. For he was just a photographer with a little studio in a little town in Montana. His business was failing and having heard of the riches of the fur trade he was hoping to spend a year or two trapping, making a stake and returning to his routine life. But he didn’t figure on love....
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Great Story
- By Lynne on 01-20-25
By: Chick Ferguson
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One Man's Wilderness
- An Alaskan Odyssey
- By: Sam Keith, Richard Proenneke
- Narrated by: Norman Dietz
- Length: 6 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
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To live in a pristine land unchanged by man... to roam a wilderness through which few other humans have passed... to choose an idyllic site, cut trees and build a log cabin... to be a self-sufficient craftsman, making what is needed from materials available... to be not at odds with the world but content with one's own thoughts and company. Thousands have had such dreams, but Richard Proenneke lived them.
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Wonderful Alaskan Read!
- By Pamela M. on 10-10-14
By: Sam Keith, and others
What listeners say about Winds of Skilak
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- Clay S Adam
- 11-24-23
The all inspiring adventures on Skilak Lake
as a resident of Cooper Landing, Skilak lake is near and dear to my heart. Bonnie's story about their adventures is truly awh inspiring and relatable. A truly uplifting adventure she and Sam had On the lake!!!.
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- texasquilter
- 07-16-22
Love this adventure!
Having read and reread both books by Bonnie, I was so excited to have the audible version to listen to as I quilt. It does not disappoint! It’s an amazing adventure and very enjoyable!!! Bonnie tells of their journey to the wilds of Alaska. My family spent time on the Kenai Peninsula and was able to visit lake Skilak. It’s an unimaginable adventure as I stood on that shore by a sign warning that cold water kills and gazed across the immensity of the lake and the awe inspiring views. As we drove down the long gravel road back to town we were stunned as bears crashed through brush ahead across the road and just as quickly disappeared. Bonnie weaves an awesome story of their time in Alaska and brings you along as a friend on this incredible journey and you end up feeling as you’ve spent time with them at their side as Alaska unfolds her bounty and beauty as well as her harsh side and the difficulty as well as the joys.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Joshua
- 01-12-23
So confused by this narrator's accent
I've read this book before, and though it's a bit more problematic than I remember, I can look past the annoyances and enjoy the story. If you're not a fan of a woman seemingly putting a man ahead of her needs ,you may not enjoy it, (for a lack of a better explanation). I am also so confused by the narrator's accent choice. If it's supposed to be from the Midwest, or specific to Minnesota, it certainly isn't. It's very odd, and can be quite distracting as it's such an intentionally odd way of speaking. If you are bothered by someone pronouncing common words incorrectly, or an overly nasal voice, this book is also not for you. It's almost enough to make me stop listening, but as the purchase has been made, I'm trying.
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- Fiona
- 11-08-23
Narrator disappoints
Good story, but the narrator had a nasally, whiny voice that did not match the characters at all. It was very distracting.
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- Natasha
- 10-30-23
Wonderful Story ...
definitely well worth the listen despite an abysmal narrator. Looking forward to reading the sequel.
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- Melissa Fesler
- 06-24-22
Narrator is terrible
Content is good but almost turned it off numerous times as the narrator’s voice and inflection is atrocious. Somehow I stuck with it. I’d look for another version with a different narrator if I could do it again.
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- Jason Faler
- 02-26-24
Worst Narrator Ever
I love stories of adventure and expedition. This one was unfortunately not one of the better ones. Inclusive of details that were uninteresting and should have been omitted. The main character is a clearly subservient, maybe even helpless woman who seems just willfully along for the ride and without any independent personality whatsoever.
Worst of all, though. Is the absolutely excruciatingly painful experience of listening to this narrator. It’s so bad it has got to be intentional. Who would possibly allow their book to be ruined by the nasal, exaggerated, dramatic, dragged-out, accent and performance riddled with mispronunciations? I had to stop the book several times out of mere annoyance with having to listen to her. This might have been somewhat endurable as a book without her. Barely. But with this narrative? Unbearable.
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- Cory
- 01-13-25
Must read
Really enjoyed this story, well written and told. The narrator did a good job with this as well.
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- Mom to grads
- 05-03-22
OUTSTANDING - a rare treasure
Let me start by saying I truly love to read. Give me a great read and I will read it and enjoy it time and time again. I recently discovered Audible and it has brought my favorite books to life. Winds of Skilak and Winds of Skilak; The continuing Saga are on the top of my list. I purchased the Audible version of the first book as soon as it was available. Bonnie’s story makes you feel as if you are right there living the Alaska dream with her and Sam. After reading both books multiple times I still could not stop listening to the Audible version. Lots of small details come to life in the Audible version. Too many details to mention here but one example that stands out is the lake crossing in the horrible weather. Listening as opposed to reading made this chapter unforgettable. It is not often that I find a great read, one that you cannot put down and the Audible version likens to the book you cannot put down. Give this one a try I can promise you will not be disappointed. I am anxiously waiting for book 2 on Audible.
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- Joshawa skaggs
- 11-09-22
Making me home sick
This book has had more details of my life family and friends I know in it than any other book on the planet enjoyable to the max and the reader had an amazing voice to carry with the book will definitely read this book again and again and again
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