Your dad's interest in Alaska might have been inspired by the recent increase in media programming that depicts people surviving in the harshest wilderness environments in the United States. Alternatively, your dad might have fallen in love with the state after traveling there, or it may just fall in line with his other interests such as hunting and fishing. Either way, you can tap into one of your dad's latest obsessions by helping him delve into Alaska pioneer memoirs that provide these three benefits.
Give Him a Portable Source of Entertainment
Now that your dad is older, he may spend long periods of time waiting around at various places throughout each day. Having a book in his pocket or loaded on to his preferred electronic reading device gives him a way to pass the time when he is stuck waiting for an appointment. Your dad may also just enjoy taking his book outside where he can soak up all of the information about the person who wrote the book. This is a great way to get him outdoors and away from the television. Keeping your dad entertained helps to reduce the boredom that he might feel while also inspiring him to be more active.
Help Him Find New Things to Talk About
Older adults sometimes struggle with coming up with new topics for conversation. Books about Alaskan pioneers are full of adventure, and there is always something new to learn about how people forged their way through rustic and sometimes dangerous territory. Your dad will find that reading about these adventures are so thrilling that he may even want to research different areas and facts about Alaskan wildlife. As the memories inspire him to learn more about the state, he'll also dig up new things to talk about with the people that he meets.
Show Him That You Care About His Hobbies
The best gifts are always the ones that show that you pay attention to what someone likes. Your dad will be touched that you thought enough about his interests to find memoirs of Alaska pioneer people that share their story. In fact, you can make this benefit even better by giving one of his books a read through. You can even pull his other family members and friends into it and set up a book discussion group. You'll discover that you can create a closer bond while also finding out more information about what it is like to be a pioneer on the Alaskan frontier.
For inspiration, check out books by authors like Jzonay Reitz.