It was bittersweet as our Alaskan adventure came to an end. It has been a busy 10 days but they were all packed with learning and excitement. After we were done with clinicals we had Friday and Saturday as free days within Anchorage. One of the best experiences of this trip had to have been Friday morning’s hike up to Flattop mountain. We found out it was only about 10 minutes away from where we were staying so it was perfect. All of the locals I met at capstone said it was definitely something we had to do before leaving. Jadyn, Val, Elisa, Robbi, and I went along the trails until the very top where we could see all of Anchorage. We then decided it would be even more fun to hike to the very top of the mountain so we could see even more. It was very steep but worth the view! We found berries along the way and soon the snow gave way to a panoramic view of the Chugach mountains and the Anchorage bay. It may sound a bit cheesy but it was absolutely breathtaking (partly because it was beautiful, partly because it was quite the workout). The scoot down the mountain was even harder because of the fear of falling and loose rocks. I felt like a billy goat.
We explored the tourist sites over the weekend and found a few great restaurants (glacier brewing company and moose’s tooth) that allowed us to eat local. I had rockfish at the brewing company and smoked salmon at moose’s tooth that was very good. It was nice to have two catch up days before our long traveling day home. We also went to the heritage center fundraiser where I tried whale for the first (and probably last) time in my life. It was very potent, rich and super fishy!
The night before we left, Val, Jadyn, and I went for a drive to Eagle River, which is a suburb to Anchorage, and went up to Skyline Drive (another suggestion from a local) and we thought we were lost until we pulled over and looked out the window. Not only could we see all of Anchorage, but we could see the mountains and ocean as well. It was so pretty at night and unsuspected so this was a great way to end our Alaskan visit. Everyone we met here was so kind and happy to live here it was hard to leave. I hope some of us will consider working there in upcoming years!
This Alaskan experience was much needed for me. The cultural values here are so strong, and I was glad to have been able to experience it from the heritage center, my peers in rural villages, and the primary clinic in Anchorage. It’s amazing that the US still has a culture like this existing so strongly and I hope it continues for many years to come.
We explored the tourist sites over the weekend and found a few great restaurants (glacier brewing company and moose’s tooth) that allowed us to eat local. I had rockfish at the brewing company and smoked salmon at moose’s tooth that was very good. It was nice to have two catch up days before our long traveling day home. We also went to the heritage center fundraiser where I tried whale for the first (and probably last) time in my life. It was very potent, rich and super fishy!
The night before we left, Val, Jadyn, and I went for a drive to Eagle River, which is a suburb to Anchorage, and went up to Skyline Drive (another suggestion from a local) and we thought we were lost until we pulled over and looked out the window. Not only could we see all of Anchorage, but we could see the mountains and ocean as well. It was so pretty at night and unsuspected so this was a great way to end our Alaskan visit. Everyone we met here was so kind and happy to live here it was hard to leave. I hope some of us will consider working there in upcoming years!
This Alaskan experience was much needed for me. The cultural values here are so strong, and I was glad to have been able to experience it from the heritage center, my peers in rural villages, and the primary clinic in Anchorage. It’s amazing that the US still has a culture like this existing so strongly and I hope it continues for many years to come.