I wouldn't say perpetually land-bound, just... merely most of the time.
From your hints, you're in Alaska, if memory serves me correctly. I haven't been here in near 30 years, myself, but the bungalo on Tortou's in just the same condition I'd left it in when I got whooshed out.
The calendar on the phone's only saying December of 2012. That makes a great deal more sense, now.