The small 30 passenger plane lifted off the tarmac into the air. As the few buildings bellow shrank, a wide view of green and brown tundra dotted by ponds sprawled out below. Grey mountains lay in the distance. The white misty ceiling of clouds loomed closer and then engulfed the plane. Soon the craft was above that ceiling, gliding between it and a second that was streaked with blue and pink...

5 weeks + 400 pictures + 15 cold showers + 1 mosquito bite + 10 extra pounds + Bristol Bay sweat pants + a few new friends + several thousand green ones = oodles of memories of my second year working in Naknek, Alaska.

Some of my favorite memories include a gorgeous view of white cotton candy clouds over the river after a week of rain, Brandon constantly nodding his head, wonderful views from the airplane, Abby's squeaking laugh, the sleepover in room 7, the mealtimes when we would sit and talk long after we were all finished eating, the lazy hours hanging with the Jades, mug up after mug up, Sarah's hugs, Mike's Civil War beard, the rubber band ball, Amy's adorable laugh and posture when she's eating, Carlos's constant attempts to lift us by our nostrils, Abigail chasing Gerald around the gear room, Jojo saying "Na, na", singing parties and movie nights, tomato soup and grilled cheese, Sunday devotionals, hellos and goodbyes.

I hope I will get to go back next year. The wild spirit of Alaska is calling me back...