It’s been nearly four years since I’ve been back to Alaska. Last time I was here it was for my wedding in the summer of 2009 out in the heart of the Wrangell Mountains; friends, family, fireweed, summer, salmon. My only experiences in Alaska before this week have been during a handful of summers that I spent in the Wrangell’s throughout my undergraduate completing geology projects and washing dishes at a local saloon. Whether I was hiking and mapping out on the Kennicott Glacier, or out for a bike ride to the Nizina River, I remember asking myself time after time, summer after summer, “How could this place get any more beautiful?”
Yesterday’s birds eye view of the half-frozen Cook Inlet and afternoon stroll along the frozen Chena River allowed me to finally answer that question with ease.
I used my afternoon to take a nice walk along the frozen Chena River.
You see, Alaska came into my life at a transformative time, providing me with some of the most challenging, yet rewarding experiences I have ever encountered. I met many of my life long friends here, and fell in love with the girl of my dreams here. It has always been the people, as much as the land, which has allowed Alaska to have such a strong impression on me. I literally cannot imagine how different my life would be with out my experiences here. And now, it’s at it once again.
I should have known after going through the rigorous PolarTREC application process that I would get to spend this week in the ranks of such unique, talented, and inspiring people. Coming from all sorts of places, with all sorts of stories and insights on science education and polar research, the room today felt nothing short of electric. From the Adirondacks, to the Gulf Coast of Texas, to the plains of Oklahoma, to the inner city streets of Chicago, each of them has come all the way up here in the dead of winter for one noble, common goal: providing students with meaningful and empowering educational experiences. I am absolutely thrilled to be working with them this week, and even more excited to help one another throughout our PolarTREC Expeditions in the coming year.
Today? Today Alaska did for me what it’s always done for me in the past: brought me closer to kindred souls and connected me with the raw beauty of its land.
It feels great to be back!