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, attempt to burn them out, shoot them, or jump their claim.

The Cobbs were chechakos, tenderfeet, in the lost land that consumed even toughened settlers. Everything, including their "civilized" past, conspired to defeat them. They constructed a cabin -- and first snow collapsed the roof. They built too near the creek -- and spring breakup threatened to flood them out. Bears prowled the nearby woods, stalking the children. And Lester Cobb would have to leave for months at a time in search of work.

But through it all, they survived on the strength of Norma Cobb -- a woman whose love for her family knows no bounds and whose courage in the face of mortal danger is an inspiration to us all. This is her story.