From October 2020 to April 2024, I was stationed up in Alaska, it being my one and only assignment while I was in the Air Force. I mostly enjoyed my time at The Last Frontier, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say I had a love-hate relationship with the largest state in the U.S. The summers I loved, winters I hated (most of time). Sometimes, the winters were fun; there would be times where I’d straight up laugh looking out my window with the amount of snow we were getting. However, driving in it was not fun. Though, that’s mainly my fault. I was very determined to keep my 2005 Toyota Corolla with me during my entire assignment, and not give into the peer pressure of buying a much more practical car for the snow. And I did, I still have that car, and she’s still kickin (still no car payment, either). Any who, living in Alaska for nearly 4 years and embracing the most beautiful and mild summers ever helped me discover my love for hiking.
The best hike I ever completed was the Rendezvous Peak Trail, located in Chugach State Park. It was difficult and I had to stop quite a few times to catch my breath, but the view was incredibly worth it and was very rewarding to complete. I went with some of my coworkers at the time along with some other members from our operations flight. It was late August in 2023, at that time, almost all the snow had melted even on the tall mountain peaks there in Anchorage. It was the perfect day, weather wise. I was lucky and got stationed with some of the greatest people I’ve ever met and worked with. Without them on that hike, it wouldn’t have been nearly as fun or motivating to hike up those mountains. That is one thing about the military I love, the camaraderie. We rip on each other constantly but, at the end of the day, we want everyone to do well and succeed.
Thanks to the military and the gorgeous state of Alaska, hiking is now one of my favorite hobbies. And since being in Alaska, nothing in the lower 48 will ever top Alaska’s hiking trails and scenery. If you ever have a chance to go to Alaska, please get out and hike and embrace its beauty. I kind of regret not doing it sooner and/or enough while I was there, but I’m glad I stepped out of my comfort zone to try something new and discover a love for hiking and seeing what nature has to offer.
WHERE WERE YOU STATIONED IN ALASKA?
Lived there three years, Air Force Base, in Fairbanks, AK. Were you in Anchorage?
What field were you in?
david
I was in Anchorage at JBER! I worked right there on the flight line as airfield management. Did you like Fairbanks? I take it you were stationed at Eielson AFB. I never made it up to Fairbanks unfortunately.