Alaska Is:

Alaska is beauty
Beautiful mountains, skies, and seas
Beautiful people and memories

Alaska is changes
Changes in glaciers, rivers and trees
Changes in people and who we will be

Alaska is precious
Precious family
Precious to me

Final Reflection:
        Alaska—the second time around—what will it be like, going back to the beautiful second home that I loved so much the first time around? Can I really lead the beaders this year? How will I survive without my family for three weeks? These were all questions that I asked myself before getting on that bus just three short weeks ago. Now, I have those answers and a lot more.
      Alaska the second time around is every bit as beautiful as it was the first time! The road along the Turnigan Arm is still the most beautiful road that I have ever driven. Sharing in with an excited van full of kids made it even more special. Alaska’s beauty never disappoints you or lets you down…it is just more and more beautiful with every turn in its long, curving roads. Getting to know all of the travelers that are with us showed me another kind of beauty that this trip to Alaska creates. It makes little families out of vans, it makes sisters out of tent mates (and brothers too!) and one giant extended family out of every fellow AGLP traveler. You take the time to learn something about each traveler, you find heroes within the family and develop a love fore everyone. My favorite part of this kind of beauty is watching the way all of the young travelers learn about themselves, setting goals and reaching them all along the way. For me, the trip is as much about these things as it is about the spectacular places that we go. The spirit of the group is recognized everywhere we go—people notice us and really love what we do.
      How about it? Could I lead the beaders? Could I support them and help them learn about leadership? I knew in the beginning that I was willing to give is my best shot and as much energy as I could put into it. It was a learning experience for all of us. The kids all learned that leaders aren’t born leaders—it takes a lot of work and patience with yourself; respect isn’t something that you can demand, you have to earn it; character is determined by choices you make; three weeks of hands-on leadership doesn’t make you a leader—it takes longer than that; responsibilities equal accountability—a leader with responsibilities must be held accountable for those responsibilities and not place lame somewhere else. These are just a few of the things that I tried to show to the junior leader group. I know that each one of them will take with them at least something. I’m not really sure what impact our time together has made, but like I said before—I gave it my best shot and as much time and energy as I could—I love what each one of them offers as a person and as a leader. They are awesome!
      My family for three weeks? Well, I really, really missed the people at home, but a new family adopted me for the three weeks, and several kids took to calling me Mom. So for all of you moms who are reading this, rest assured, I gave your son or daughter a hug every night, and asked a lot of them how their day went. I tried hard to be sure they were happy, and to know that they are cared about. I made a group of special friends who helped me make it through the three weeks. So thanks especially to those kids. Emily L, your smile lit my world. Andrew J, you were there for me every day! There were other really special kids too and I could name all of them, but there were about 60 more (in case you didn’t figure it out, they were ALL special to me)!
      Alaska is so much more than our 49th state, our biggest state and our furthest state to the north. It is a beautiful place and the trip creates beautiful things. It won’t matter how many times I go to Alaska (and I’d love to go again!!), the beauty won’t change—it will always be there in different places and different faces. Time forms strong bonds that are just like family. I missed my own, but love ach new member. Leading is learning yourself and life is your biggest lesson. Live well!