Hi Buzz,
My uncle has been in that part of Alaska since the mid 60's. He went there as a volunteer with a program similar to the peace corps, liked it, and stayed after his time as a volunteer was up.
I was only there for four years. I moved back east in 07.
I milled some lumber in Red Devil. I think that's pretty close to where you are. It was about a 110 mile trip down river for me.