Kyle W

Alaska Is

            Alaska is a friendly home away from home. One of the most beautiful places on the planet. The place where you can go to get away from everything, sit, relax, and just enjoy your surroundings. Alaska is full of life. With spectacular mountains, gorgeous plants, and extraordinary wildlife everywhere, how could you not look around in awe? Alaska is a wild place filled with lots of excitement, beauty, history, and memories to bring back to your friends, family, and loved ones. No person can describe the beauty of Alaska in either words or pictures. This is a place where you must go to get the whole feeling and experience. Alaska is one place that I am fortunate to go to. I’m fortunate to be here witnessing everything from Mt. McKinley to bears, and different wildlife. Many people get the chance to visit “The Last Frontier” and many go their whole lives hearing stories and seeing pictures only hoping one day they will get the chance to visit this ideal place. Alaska is much more than just sweet, or cool. It is remarkable, miraculous, and stunning. Words can’t even describe the beauty of this magnificent 49th state. I try to not take this trip for granted, but take in everything and every minute I can and appreciate my time here.  I will never know the next time I will be back here, but it's one place that my mind will always be and hope that someday I have the chance to be reunited with this spectacular land.

Final Reflections

            I have really enjoyed this trip as my first time being a junior leader. Probably my favorite part of the trip was hanging out with just the junior leaders and having our bonding moments. I feel like we really bonded well together, not only with the junior leaders, but also with our instructors Sam and Steve and worked hard for the participants to have an outstanding trip. My favorite moment with the “J-Leads” was when we were at Palmer. It was a night when the divers were gone and it was up to us to get everyone to bed. Once they were in bed us junior leaders went to Fred Meyers to get Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. When we were walking home Ishtar rolls up next to us in the van and the only thing he says is “Where are the rain jackets? I know who’s doing dishes tomorrow!” We all look at each other and laugh as he drives back to the church. I’m really lucky to be on this trip with a great group of people and to learn so much from them.
Also, I really enjoyed running the 10K. That was my favorite part my first year and it never disappoints me. I just really enjoy running through the neighborhoods hearing the cheering of the people at their street parties. It’s a feeling like no other having that big smile on my face and the motivation to keep running. I was also pushed to do my best by my little brother Tyler. Tyler started to run with me, but by the 5th mile he ran ahead making me do my best to catch up. I was very impressed by his motivation considering the fact he hastes running and even beat me!
My favorite place on our trip is definitely Homer. Homer is a place that you can do pretty much anything. We stay in a field at a farm called Seaside Farm that is run by an extremely nice woman named Mossy. Mossy is one of the nicest persons I know. She has such a kind heart and is willing to help anyone in need, like us AGLP group and letting us stay in the meadow behind her house. Homer has many things from the spit to whale watching to museums to everyone’s favorites, which is showering, and laundry. My favorite thing at Homer is the spit. At the spit there is so much to do and see. There are many shops there to keep everyone busy like the Salty Dawg, or The Better Sweater. Plus the many fish markets, coffee shops and restaurants.
Not only am I lucky to be going on this trip, but I am very lucky to be on this trip with a very special person in my life, which is my little brother. Having him on the trip puts me in a good mood because when I know he’s having fun and I see that smile I feel as if I’m doing my job as a junior leader and making this trip a memorable one not just for him, but for every single participant on this trip.

Even though this is my second year to Alaska I still feel like it’s a first. I still learn so much not only from the different museums we go to, but also the other people that come on the trip and the different people we meet along the trip. Alaska is a place that I really enjoy being at. There is just so much to do and see. Alaska, I think, is a place that everyone needs to visit someday in his or her life. No words or pictures can describe the feel, views, and overall experience of Alaska. Alaska has changed me into a better and more mature person. Alaska has shown me what it means to be a leader along with the rewards and consequences for my actions.  Also it has taught me to enjoy the little things in life, enjoy who you are with and not to take things for granted. Alaska is truly a place like no other.