- Veronica

Alaska Is...

                  Alaska is a magical place.  It is a place that I love with all my heart.  It’s a place where I had the chance to bring my dad and now my brother.  I wasn’t too sure about having my dad on the trip at first because Alaska has always been my escape from my parents.  That half of the trip, however allowed us to become closer.  I loved having him there.  He finally got to see why I loved it so much and he too now loves my great escape.  Now, I get to share the second half with my brother.  I wasn’t too sure about him because before the trip he would come to me and say, “I don’t want to go to Alaska.”  This would always crush my heart a little but now, as I sit here, I look at him.  I look at him and see him looking up at the mountains with the face that is in awe.  It’s the face I had my first trip and it’s the one I come back for.  I come back to see the kids have an experience like mine.  I am so glad I get to have the chance to share Alaska with my brother too.  I can tell he has already grown as a person.  He now tells me, “I love Alaska.”  This makes me so happy and this is one thing that makes me love Alaska so much.  Alaska is a place to watch people you love have a similar experience as you.

Final Reflections

I have never been in love with something so much until I experienced Alaska.  Alaska has shown me how to love, how to be myself, and most importantly how to grow as a person.  I have fallen in love with everything in Alaska.  The smell of sweet, salty air while sitting on the edge of the ravine at Seaside Farm.  The way my heart fills up and gives me shivers when I look out at the moon over the mountains because of the beauty.  Sitting, watching the waves flow in one after the other.  Hearing the birds sing their songs to us so peacefully, so lovely.  Laughing with the people I have become close to, the people who love me.  Singing like an idiot in my van because no one cares if I’m good or bad.  They all accept me for who I am.  I love walking up and down the beach, thinking of all the memories I have had.  Thinking of all the people I love who have changed and shared this trip with me.  Alaska has taken my heart, it has filled it up with love, and now I will never be the same.  It has held me together through tough times and it has shown me the way.  It has given me my best friends, my hero, and a stronger bond with my dad and brother.  It has put my life into place.  Led me through high school and life.  I have always been able to depend on Alaska, but now it’s time to say goodbye to my love.  It’s time for me to let go, to leave a piece of my heart here and move on.  Alaska, you were my first true love and I will never ever forget you.