- Lauren

Alaska Is...

                  Alaska is…one word, beautiful.  I can’t even describe what my emotion is about this wonderful place.  Seeing a mountain everywhere I look is just amazing.  Getting that feeling of reassurance when you climb a mountain is indescribable.  Loving that emotion you have in your gut when you can go back to camp and have someone to talk to about anything is incredible.  Alaska is something completely irreplaceable.  Once you get the chance to come, you never want to leave.  Just reflecting on all of the activities I have concurred in Alaska is hard to believe.  It seems that Alaska has something in the air that feeds you and leaves you coming back for more.  Alaska is a place where you can just sit down anywhere, look at the beautiful scenery, and let all the stress wash away with every passing gush of wind.  Nothing or no one can replace this feeling that I know I’m leaving here in Alaska.  Alaska is a place that I will never forget. 

Final Reflections

From first arriving in Alaska to the end of the trip 23 days later, there was been a lot that’s happened to me.  Once I got to Alaska I didn’t know what to do.  I was totally unorganized and I didn’t know anybody very well.  I thought to myself every day that I just needed to get through these 23 days without thinking about home.  Well, that worked for about a week or so, and then the 4th of July rolled around.  I wanted to see all my family and I couldn’t so I was so disappointed.  But eventually I got over it and went on to make the rest of my trip completely amazing.
I would have never thought that the mountains and scenery could be so beautiful here.  I think that has been by far the greatest part.  With every look I see a mountain somewhere in the distance. 
I don’t think I can put in words how much Alaska and this trip have changed me.  It has completely calmed me down and made me more laid back.  I love the new me that Alaska has changed me into.  I hope it won’t ever go away.
Alaska has made me get to know a lot of people on this trip, but there was always one person that was there for me and never let me forget it.  Anna Eshuis would have to be the most important person on this trip to me.  She is like a second sister to me.  I couldn’t have asked for a better person to connect with on this trip.  Anna has made this a trip of a lifetime for me. 
I want to especially thank Mr. Rosene for making this whole trip possible.  If I hadn’t come on this trip, I wouldn’t have found my true self.  Thank you so much for helping me find my inner spirit.  You are the best.