I had just gotten used to living in the beautiful sunshine while living near Tampa (I moved there from WI after both of my kids were out and in college) myself and then met the most wonderful man who was stationed at Fort Wainwright, Alaska. I fully understand this conundrum you speak of.

I also understand the bug situation in Florida- they are not Palmetto bugs- I called them Palmetto Dogs. Alaska, however, does have mosquitos and they are about as big as birds. How they get that big in such little time is beyond me. Alaska has such a short warm season, well, the interior does, that these creatures must have found a steroid stash somewhere.

I was also tempted to keep my sunny Florida plates just to have something other than my 'Happy Lite' (a clever little device to simulate natural sunlight) to cheer me. Instead I decided to not fully vacuum my car in all the nooks and crannies and leave some of the gorgeous white sand and the little surprises of tiny shells I still find here and there.

Thank you for your story.