Let's Talk Hockey-Womens Professional Hockey

 

When you think of the top Minnesota sport, you may think of curling, but it is Hockey. Might Ducks was filmed (the first movie) and placed here for a reason: because we are the Hockey State! So, when Professional Women's Hockey was in the works, it was only natural that Minnesota had a team (PWHL). 

There are six teams, 3 in Canada and 3 in the United States. The league started this year (2024), and it's been inspiring to watch so many young girls (& boys) watch the game, and even adults support the teams. The teams have no names, but the Minnesota PWHL hockey jersey has been sold out for months. 

Being from Minnesota, you would think Hockey would be running through my blood, but it is just another thing on the list: 'I'm Minnesotan but..." including not bleeding purple and gold, no cabin, and not liking fishing. I have never played Hockey. Growing up, we would attend a few University of Minnesota hockey games, but that stopped once in high school. I do not watch or follow the Minnesota Wild; I have never been to a game. However, I have been and will be going to 4 of the Minnesota Women's hockey games. I am officially a hockey fan! 

Having a women's professional hockey team in Minnesota is so important. And if I have to explain the importance and impactfulness of PWHL, you will never understand it. Why am I writing this blog if I am NOT going to explain the importance of a professional women's hockey team? A league that had broken attendance records in its first few games of the season and whose jerseys sold out for months? And currently, Minnesota PWHL is ranked number 2 with 5 wins and 3 losses. Because that's it, and the why is apparent when you see littles holding signs up at the game with 'Future PWHL Star.' 

It has been a joy to attend and see so many people support PWHL  and see so many young girls in their own jerseys cheering them on. If you haven't gotten into Hockey or have not been keeping up with PWHL, I suggest you start! Because these games are fun, the players go for it, and the crowds do not disappoint. 

What should the MN team name be? Spitballed a few mascot ideas like Moose, Beaver, Bobcat, and Otter. 

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Where I stood in Alaska

Alaska was a once-in-a-lifetime trip I am glad I took with my family. I have traveled alone a lot, and it was nice to go with the fam. We spent a week on a cruise ship, hitting top thriving tourist towns; we then spent another week traveling by train, heading through Anchorage and Fairbanks, stopping in Denali National Park. The weather was on our side, and we could see the top of Denali. 

I heard many people say if you are going to go to Alaska, go by cruise ship, and I highly recommend it. Alaska is wild, and being the city girl I am, I would not survive traveling alone. There are only four significant roads across Alaska. When we were in one of the port towns, they told us how kids there get put on an island to learn serving skills because there will be a time when they will need them. For example, if a car breaks down at night, they will be stuck there until morning. Hearing that, I knew taking an all-inclusive cruise was the best way to see Alaska. 

The wildness of Alaska is what makes Alaska one of the best places I've been stateside. It has so many breathtaking views, and it's like living in a cold paradise. Expect it wasn't that cold. You don't feel overwhelmed even with 4 huge cruise ships of people walking around the town. You are too busy looking at everything around you. You can't believe these places exist. It is so easy to live miles away in a different time zone to forget that otters floating in the ocean, glaciers, and waterfalls falling down the side of a mountain into the sea are a daily thing that happens here. When we were in Glacier Bay National Park, a ranger came onto our boat to discuss the park. It was an important one to listen to. She brought up how what we do miles away from here affects us, asking us what we will do and who we will be when we return to our community and asking us if we want future generations to experience the things we got to experience on this trip. It's precisely what I've been saying for years: if you want to travel the world, you must start caring for it. Before this trip, I learned that Holland American is one of the only cruise ships allowed in the park. The park limits boats coming in due to its natural habitat and importance to Alaska Native culture and history. 

If you want to see Alaska, skip Anchorage and Fairbanks and only consider those places as starting or ending points that you do not even need a whole day to visit. Unfortunately, those cities are dead, with little to see or do. Spending an entire day in Fairbanks waiting for our 10 pm flight made the trip back feel extra long. 

 

Because Alaska was such a big trip, my schedule and time were limited to more local road trips last year. But this year, I am returning to my roots of traveling alone and to the place I call my home away from home. 

I'm soooo excited to return to see littles, friends, and old stomping grounds. But I also learned returning to a place you don't live anymore is hard and can be an uneasy experience. Life has moved on, and things may look the same, but something is different, and you're different, too. The key is to not expect and just go with the flow. I hope that the people at the local pub still remember my name and have Koberberg. It has been 6 years since my last time there (thanks, pando), so my hope isn't that high. I will take this trip one day at a time; I made a list of places to go and told people I am coming and will see them, but I will take it daily. Honestly, I'm good if I'm just hanging with little ones, walking the beach, or sitting in the local pub! It might turn into the trip I need.

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