Travel is good for our mental health. This sentiment has become common, and there are even studies that show the physical and mental health benefits of travel. In my past travels, I have been fortunate enough to visit a couple of places that stand out in my mind as places I would go if I were on the verge of a nervous breakdown—Scotland and New Zealand being the top of the list. Both are calm and serene, and New Zealand especially stands out for its natural beauty.
I previously visited Alaska in the early 2000s, and while I loved it, doing an Alaskan cruise did not particularly leave me with the impression that Alaska belonged on the list with Scotland and New Zealand. But after this recent trip with Collette on their Alaska’s Northern Lights expedition, America’s very own 49th state is my new number one place. This I decided after the first excursion on our first day!
A Grounding Experience Aboard a Cruise
On day one of our trip to Alaska, our group traveled via motor coach to Whittier, a little over an hour from Anchorage. This is where we embarked on a glacier cruise. Now I will admit that everyone from our tour guide to the local guides who chartered the boat said we were extremely lucky with the dazzling clear blue skies and unusually mild weather. But as someone who isn’t partial to cold weather (more dislike than like it), something about the cold breeze hitting my face as we stood out on the deck and traveled past snow-covered mountains with pine trees popping through the snow was so refreshing.
We spotted Dall sheep, harbor seals, sea otters, bald eagles, and beautiful birds as we sailed through the ice-packed sea water. The bright sky glistening off blue glacier ice was a marvel to behold. The air was cool and crisp and, even with allergies that have me reaching for my inhaler in my daily life, I didn’t have to do a quick rescue puff the entire time I was there. I could literally and figuratively breathe easy.
Stress Feels Small on a Trip to Alaska
As we traveled through those quiet frigid waters my mind began to wander. I considered how long everything we were passing had existed—the mountains, the water, and the trees. I felt small and my problems felt insignificant. Seeing animals who have been created to withstand the subzero temperatures lazing along through their day, I can’t help but feel that they are cared for and created to sustain this—can’t I be sustained in the environment I was created for? If their needs are being met, won’t ours be too?
Traveling to Alaska and seeing harbor seals resting naturally on a block of ice showed me that you can rest in the universe’s ability to care for its own. I felt so small amidst the vastness of Alaska, but in addition to being humbling, it was also refreshing and even comforting.
A Wonderful, Welcoming Community
Alaska isn’t just about natural beauty—the people are fascinating, too. Uniquely extraordinary. Everywhere we went, we met people who had come up for a summer project or program and decided to stay. Inevitably each one would say that they knew this was where they belonged. This was their place. The people you meet while traveling in Alaska have a common grit and spirit of community knowing they have to make the most of treacherous winters.
We took the Alaska Railroad from Anchorage to Fairbanks, with a stop in the tiny town of Talkeetna (where we had perfect views of Denali, the highest peak in North America). Our server on the train, even during the busy lunch service, sat down and talked with my daughter and me about how she decided to move to Alaska from Florida. She talked about Alaska not having the rat race of everyday life that plagues most places. She talked about how, in her neighborhood, everyone gardens and shares what they have with each other.
Marvel at Nature’s Beauty at Aurora Pointe
The main feature of our mother daughter trip was two late nights at the Aurora Pointe viewing center. We had high hopes of seeing the Northern Lights! About half an hour drive outside of Fairbanks, Aurora Pointe has tables, couches, games, cookies, and hot chocolate for visitors to enjoy while awaiting the Northern Lights. The Aurora researchers who work there gave a 30 minute informative presentation to bide the time as the night sets itself up for the best show. The first night, our group did decide to leave around 1am, but the next night, the sky put on a show! The Aurora Borealis showed up and showed out!
Finding Your Place Through Travel
In reflecting on the trip to Alaska and how good I felt mentally and physically during and after the visit, I thought about those restless nights we all have. Imagine if, on those tough nights, we could make use of that energy and go out and watch the Northern Lights!
Maybe you’re in a space where you feel out of place, but maybe your place isn’t where you are right now! I am sure that the people who visited Alaska for a couple weeks one summer, or were stationed there in the army didn’t think Alaska would be “their place,” but for them, it turned out to be! Maybe your angst and restlessness is that you’re just misplaced. I know over the years, I’ve found a few places where I really feel at home. In my case, California is where I feel I most belong. It’s where my husband and I planned to retire, and I still feel that connection.
All in all, Alaska is a place that forces you to stop and marvel. And in the stopping and the marveling, you can relax and let the beauty and vastness of nature restore you. I highly encourage you to let your travels help you relax and find where you truly belong.
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