Guss - here are a couple thoughts, take em or leave em but I thought I'd try and throw some theology your way.
The cold hard truth is that your parents aren't going to be around much longer. They willeventually leaveyou for a better place. How old is your Dad ? 50? 60 ? 70?......They've obviously brought you up decently and given you enough love that you deeply respect them and that's wonderful. Maybe you should have a heart to heart with your Dad and tell him your thoughts..... you might be suprised by what your hear.

I personally believe that there comes a time whena person becomesmorally obligated to "pay it forward" and propagate that same love and respect they received as children and young adults. In short, I believe the big plan is for us tobuild our own love filled families and re-pay our parents and our creatorby teaching, lovingand giving to others as they have done with us.

If part of your big plan is to make a commitment to your girl and build a family and/or enjoy your lives together in Alaska, or wherever, then that is what you need to do.
Don't wait around to just see what happens. Have a plan andmake decisions based on where and how you see yourself in 5, 10, 20 or 30 years.

Does it require marriage? savings? back-up or return plan ? Extended vacation to see what things are really like? Make it happen or come up with another plan and make that happen.

Would I like to live in Alaska ? You bet. Would I go there without being married ? Only if I planned on never being married. Would I go there without a job lined up or some sort of professional or technical training and job experience? Only if I won the lottery or enjoyed spending weeks at a time on the icey sea in a tug boat full of smelly fish and smellier men.