Saying Goodbye

As all things have to end so ends this journey to Alaska. Yesterday our group went on a boat cruise along the inland waterways around Sitka. There are over 200 islands in this area and it's hard to grasp that this is ocean and not just inland waterways. There were times during our trip that we were just off the land with cliffs rising around us.

Our captain explained that it would be rare to see whales due to it being early in the season but low and behold even our captain was surprised when we saw three different hump-back whales during our trip. Lots of sea otters and seals, not to mention Alaskan deer and eagles. One of my wants, as expressed to the captain, was to see an eagles nest and low and behold an eagles nest. The visual overload that occurred was absolutely amazing with sights and sounds of Alaska to remain in my minds eye.
The land up north teaches us many things but one of the most significant is that we are a land of people from varied backgrounds and heritages. The ability of man to communicate and be able to express feelings separates us from that of the wild.
I am coming away from Alaska with a sense of awe and inspiration of the ability of a state to come together towards common goals. Yes, the environment has to be preserved but it should be by those in that particular environment that should have the Say not Washington. My feelings of local rule and states rights have been rejuvenated by my trip up North to the land of the midnight sun. I will bring these feelings and emotions back with me to Indiana and continue on with the mission of our group We The Hoosiers and the affirmation of local rule and an assertion of the rights of states to progress, grow and develop with out the intrusions of the federal government.