Congressman Jeff Flake's Big Deserted Island Adventure

2 years ago

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The idea of a politician announcing that he took off to spend a week alone in the wilderness has acquired something of a bad reputation these days -- but, in this case, it's true. Congressman Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) recently spent a week this summer on a survival trip to a deserted island in the Pacific Ocean.

"(My travel photos and notes) were originally for family and close friends," Flake told Politics Daily. "They knew I was going on this trip, and I wanted to share it with them. But, after the Mark Sanford piece, I didn't want people to assume I'd been hiking the Appalachian Trail -- so I thought I'd release them."

During his seven day trip in August to Jabonwod, a deserted island in the Pacific Ocean, Flake lived on coconuts as well as fish and crabs that he caught himself. Explaining why he went there, Flake said he has been "a fan of survival stories for a long time" and wanted to give it a try himself.

Flake described the reaction from his constituents as "very supportive." Washington, D.C.'s The Hill carried a story accompanied by Flake's travel photos. "Rep. Aaron Schock (Ill.) currently holds the very unofficial title of 'biggest hunk' in Congress. But Schock's title could be in jeopardy after Americans view Flake's tanned and sculpted torso," The Hill commented. Asked what he thought of that, Flake told Politics Daily, "(Representative Schock) has nothing to worry about. He still has the title. He's safe."

The wilderness trip isn't the only notable mention Flake has garnered recently. Last week, Flake was among the congressmen invited to play basketball against the president and members of his cabinet. "I wonder how someone can get the Nobel Peace Prize after fouling me that many times in a game," said Flake, in a bit of post-game trash talk to Politics Daily, adding, "no, he's a good player."

Flake says that there are some aspects of the trip he's taking back with him to Congress. "It's always good to get some background close up to what we're dealing with, like issues of coral bleaching and environmental issues."

"I'm not saying I'm ready to change parties or embrace the president's health care plan," he added, "but it does give way to a certain kind of thinking that you can't do elsewhere."

But, though the congressman hopes to take another wilderness trip in the future, he isn't planning on heading out any time soon. "It may be awhile before I go on another trip," he said, "I'd have to work it around the congressional schedule."

Filed Under: House, Congress

Tagged: deserted island, DesertedIsland, jeff flake, JeffFlake, survival

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