A few months ago, I traded life in a big city in California surrounded by friends and family to come up to Alaska – a place I had never been before and knew not a soul in! I was nervous for the transition, but mostly excited about all the new opportunities that were waiting for me. What I didn’t expect was to be met with kindness and generosity unlike any other place I’ve been to before as the Alaskans I encountered quickly made me feel at home and showed me the ropes of their beautiful home state.
It started the moment I landed in Kenai when Brandon picked me and Sam up from the airport and gave us a quick tour of the town he grew up in. He taught me some important local words and kindly instructed me: “it’s Denali not Mt. McKinley”. Very grateful for that tip. Fly fishing has been a random dream of mine for years and Chris and Cierra helped it come true by taking me fishing twice and cheering me on when I caught my first ever rainbow trout. Haley acted as my Alaskan sister and swiftly got me out line dancing at her bimonthly lessons. We inspired each other off the dance floor too as she encouraged me to take up rainbow trout facepainting and I assisted her to establish little free flybraries at public use fishing sites across the Kenai (the coolest project ever). Candace showed me how to make homemade kefir and lent me her brand new backpacking stove which I took with me all over the peninsula. A beloved Stream Watch volunteer, Shannon, allowed me to use her kayaks for a camping trip on Fox Island in Resurrection Bay. Alie took Katherine and I to a secret camping spot on Kenai Lake and to Seward after we danced the night away at a concert in Cooper Landing. Finally, Ava showed me all her favorite hikes and helped me catch a massive sockeye salmon. These are just a few examples of the abundant generosity and kindness I experienced in Alaska which made my summer so special.
Being a Stream Watch Intern this summer has been a valuable experience in pushing myself outside of my comfort zone and experiencing endless growth. I’ve become more familiar with fishing regulations than I ever thought possible. I learned how to wade in glacial rivers while pounding rebar, fixing fencing, and talking with (sometimes cranky) anglers. I went electrofishing and helped improve data on fish habitat in remote areas. Stream Watch volunteers planted hundreds of willows and I helped care for them for an entire summer. I also got to work with inspiring kids and young people who I learned so much from.
Coming to the Kenai changed my life by opening my mind to a lifestyle and culture of reciprocity and stewardship that I had never experienced before. As stewards, we take care of the river and the fish so they stay healthy and strong. In return, the salmon take care of us. I’ll be leaving with an Alaska-sized hole in my heart so I may just have to come back next summer! Thank you to KWF for opening your home to me. I am eternally grateful.
P.S. I hope my legacy continues in the form of rainbow trout facepaint at every future event!
