“As Alexis Holmgren stared up at the Northern Lights that danced miles above her outside Yellowknife, she was suddenly overwhelmed by everything she had overcome so far in her young life to get there. ‘It seems funny to think that colours in the sky can be so meaningful, but it definitely was for me, I was just standing there in the cold.. and I could see the beauty of the sky. It was honestly something that, at one point, I wasn’t sure if I’d live to see.’”
Last month (October 2020), I was absolutely delighted to receive an email from Spectacular NWT (the Northwest Territories Tourism Board) about an incredible opportunity. They had noticed my posts about my high school graduation trip in January 2020 and wanted to do a featured interview about my experience for their website. I was so excited and accepted the interview with no hesitation. Amazingly, I had used their website to plan many aspects of the Northwest Territories (Yellowknife) leg of my trip. Today, the story was published and I’m so proud of how it came together and to now be able to share my story.
I could not have possibly enjoyed my trip more. The experience was mesmerizing and far exceeded any expectations I had. I have loved the Arctic from the time I was a young child and this trip only solidified that love more for me. I hope to return to Canada’s North one day and hopefully see Whitehorse (again), Dawson City, Iqaluit, and Yellowknife (again).
Merely thinking of the trip or seeing photos is a sure way to bring a huge smile to my face, even on the especially challenging days with my health. I will always carry the special, life-changing memories I made on this trip with me.
The Rare Wanderer 