How Alaska Changed Me
5 June 2006
Mitch Sayers

     Alaska changed many people this year, but everyone in the Alaska Great Lakes Project was changed in a different way. Some people were learned about responsibility, some were away from their home for the longest time ever, and some people had never camped in a tent in their life.
I was changed in another way, a way that not many people on the Alaska Great Lakes Project were changed I opened my eyes and finally saw how beautiful that this world really is. Alaska is the most beautiful place in the entire world. I haven’t traveled around that much, but from the places that I have been, I know for sure that I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else in the world, other than Alaska. Some people chose to stay home and watch television when they had the oppurtunity to see how beautiful that the world really is. They may never get the chance to see the beauty in Alaska, other than on TV. I got to see some things that people have never, and probably will never, see in person.
      I’ve seen so many animaIs on this trip that I had never dreamed of seeeing. I’ve probably seen seventy sea lions on the entire trip, I’ve seen bear, moose, caribou and many others. One of the most amazing animals saw was a humpback whale. I saw a whale breech from the water when our group went on an all-day whale watch on the Katchemak Bay. My parents had told me how exciting it was to see whales, but I still didn’t realize how awesome it was until I saw one. I never really took into perspective the size of a whale - they’re huge! - or how close you actually get to the whales. Our boat got about thirty feet from the closest whale, close enough to smell the whale when in spits out water.
      i never realized how large the mountains really are until you actually see them in person, and then have to climb them. When you are a good distance from the mountains they seem just like the moon - they travel right along with you because the mountains are so enormous. I can’t believe that I had the oppurtunity to see the beautiful mountains that God has created for us humans to see. I never thought that I could see something as beautiful as the mountains that I saw over this three week trip.
      I am eternally grateful that I have had the chance to experience this Alaskan trip of a lifetime - a trip that very few eighth graders could ever experience. We are very lucky in Marshall to have the opportunity to apply and get accepted to go on this extraordinary trip. Mr. Rosene (Ishtar) has directed the Alaska Great Lakes Project better than anyone else could have, and I really appreciate the fact that he has created and managed such an amazing trip for so many people.
      The Alaska Great Lakes Project is one of the best trips that I have ever experienced. I got a chance to finally see how beautiful this world really is. I’m so that to have had the chance to be able to go on this trip. It was a unique and eye-opening opportunity.

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