- Brett Merkel

Doctor Seifert

       1965: Two parents are scrambling around a busy Thai city searching for their roaming child; their little boy had gone off wandering and gotten himself lost once again, even after being lectured numerous times for his reckless behavior. Eventually they found him, surrounded by a crowd of natives who were transfixed with his blond crew cut. This is Doctor George Seifert’s early childhood. Traveling to India, Thailand and Hong Kong in his youth, George had seen many interesting places. But he was not finished with his world travels yet, and in 2006 he decided to travel to Alaska with the Alaska Great Lakes Project.
       To George, Alaska has always held a certain appeal. The frontier mentality of the people here and the vast expanses of wilderness first inspired him to sign up for the AGLP trip. This year’s trip is George’s second time coming to Alaska. Britta, George’s daughter, also played an important role in his return. She was taken under Alaska’s spell her first trip three years ago, and has now returned for a fourth time, convincing her father come along for a second time as well.
       As a family doctor, getting the time off work was a challenge and an internal conflict for George, but he managed to rearrange his schedule to make things work. ” I figured that you only get this kind of an opportunity a few times in your life, so I better make the best of it,” George said.
       Alaska maintains a certain aura to George reminiscent of good times and beautiful scenery. Every second of his time here he is grateful for this chance to enjoy nature. However, for George, the scenery isn’t even the best part, “ There are so few roads in Alaska, even I can’t get lost!” George said. “Just one road from point A to B; I love it.”