Going to Alaska, O.K., I really don't know what to expect, but I have never been there before. I bet there will be a lot of mountains, trees, snow, fish, ice and maybe, just maybe I'll see a moose! What will the members be like? Surely they are just like us: fun, passionate, goofy, driven, and more. But there are surely little differences as well because they are so far away. Will they like me and my "lower 48" quirks? Though I am a little nervous, I AM SO PUMPED!
After a short stop in Anchorage, Alaska, I departed for Fairbanks - home of the 32nd Alaska FFA Convention. The day before convention was officially kicked off, I spent some time with the state FFA officers, Taylor, Hannah, Calib and Jennifer, and Mr. Werner (Alaska FFA Advisor) in preparation. Then, we traveled to Chena Hot Springs, a natural geo-thermal hot springs in a valley between the mountains. No sooner did I walk in the door, when two guys, Tyler and Ben, walked up and introduced themselves. They were excited to be there and were also pumped to meet me. Really? Cool! Ben, Tyler and I hung out quite a bit that night and the rest of the convention. That night, we also heard from Isaac Courson, guitarist and song-writer extraordinaire (who can be found on MySpace!) and several other talented FFA members in their talent show. I could not believe the talent in Isaac and the others. I was blown away.
The next morning, all of the FFA members participated in the Envirothon CDE. I met so many FFA members throughout the soil, forestry, water-quality, wildlife, and trail-management aspects of the event. I played soccer and football with several FFA members that afternoon while the others finished up their respective events, and I even learned how to hacky with the best of them. Julia, you and I still need to settle our 26-to-26 match! We finished up by touring an ice hotel... yes, a hotel made completely of ice. I'm talking even the drinking glasses, beds, chairs, and toilet too!
The rest of convention in Fairbanks after our trip to Chena Hot Springs was fantastic. We capped off the five-day trip with a banquet at the lodge beside Gold Dredge #8 (what used to be a machine that dug for gold in the river). We elected the new officer team, awarded the FFA members for their hard work, and then came the best part of the whole trip: the dance! Seriously, it was probably the best dance I have ever been to. The Alaskans and I did the Cupid Shuffle, Rocky Top, Cotton-Eyed Joe, and several others. They can dance, and it rocked! After a bitter-sweet goodbye - which, by the way, was priceless as I was blessed to personally, by name, say goodbye to each person - I left for the airport.
I cannot believe how much fun that was! Wow, those Alaskans know how to have a lot of fun, meet new people, dance their hearts out, and make an Indiana guy feel at home. O.K., there were a lot of mountains, trees, snow, fish, and ice, but the people are just like those in Idaho, Tennessee, Indiana, Delaware, California, and every other state I've been. Even though I only got to see the back half of a moose, I will definitely be going back to visit that one-of-a-kind state, with some outstanding members.
**Alaska FFA, join me! To the left, to the left, to the left, to the left. To the right, to the right, to the right, to the right. Now kick, now kick, now kick, now kick. Now walk it by yourself, now walk it by yourself...**
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