At the last saloon in a national park, order a drink from Daddy Long Legz | INDIE ALASKA

Alaska Public Media | By Valerie Lake

Published October 20, 2022 at 6:06 PM AKDT

A bartender faces the camera next to a photo of a small town bar

Michael George is a black, queer, nonbinary bartender in the tiny, historic town of McCarthy, Alaska. The town has less than 200 people during the busy summer months. Located in the heart of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, it's the last community to exist inside a U.S. national park. Michael's dealt with loneliness, microaggressions, and direct homophobic attacks, but has now grown to love McCarthy because of its vibrant art scene.

Story by Valerie Kern
Video by Valerie Kern and Linda Wei
Music by Universal Production Music
Thumbnail photo by Matt Faubion

Indie Alaska

Valerie Lake

Valerie Lake worked at Alaska Public Media from 2017 to 2025. She was the managing producer for Indie Alaska, director for Alaska Insight, and led the video production team. Valerie Lake has previously gone by the names, Valerie Lloyd and Valerie Kern.

See stories by Valerie Lake