When June came along, with its sweet song, I knew it was time for our trip.  We were to travel by both plane and ship. The purpose was to find a treasure, Its worth, our hope, beyond all measure.  We were to follow a map to Alaska’s Lake Clark, Passed down through the generations by our patriarch.  Our party numbered myself plus ten, Each one of us kith and kin.  A description of each member of our clan Will help you to understand The merriment our company provided.  “It was the adventure of a lifetime!”            

I am sorry if these descriptions may be one sided.  Because our patriarch had passed on to the next life, We were accompanied by our MATRIARCH, his wife.  Although roughing it in Alaska was not her idea of pleasure, She did not want to be left behind when searching for treasure.  Wearing her signature animal belt, Her sincere personality made any heart melt.  She was both young and old, A paradox that seemed never to grow cold.  Her mind was still nimble and quick, Even though a limp called for a walking stick.  For the generations once removed, Constant matchmaking was a skill she proved.  her son, my FATHER, also accompanied us.  It was his perseverance in planning that brought about this fuss.  He was a middle aged and able-bodied man, Capable of bringing together our entire clan, For a journey that would be unlike any other.  He took pictures one after another after another.  This embarrassing and pesky behavior Served as a joke and an aggravator.  Over all he was enjoyable to be around, As his fun loving style was sure to abound.  His wife, also my MOTHER, was part of the group; She invented the idea of this adventure with our troupe.  Her self-appointed job was one of constant worry; She made sure we were safe and never had to scurry.  She was still a person who liked to have fun And enjoyed this trip to the land of the midnight sun.  Her wavy brown hair and hazel eyes Seemed to intensify under the Alaskan skies.  Next in line comes my SISTER, the older of two.  She was the calmest out of this entire crew.  She was lively and quick and ready to have fun, Unless her mood switched, which made all of us run.  She was an athletic young lady with dark blond hair, Green blue eyes, and complexion fair.  My other SISTER, the younger of two. Had light blond hair and eyes of blue.  Even though she was the smallest in the family, She could keep up with the trekking single handedly.  Although she was occasionally prone to whine, After  these short fits she was usually fine.  She always liked to be a part of the group; Despite being the youngest, she was always in the loop.  Then there was my funny UNCLE, who had a bald head.  His hair color was unknown, it might have been red.  We went fishing one day and he caught a shrimp, He embellished the size of the catch, not to look like a wimp.  With a dry sense of humor and a fairly tall height, He made everyone laugh even late into the night.  He was in constant competition with my pop; This ongoing rivalry was a source from which laughter did not stop.  My AUNT, the real redhead of the group, Was the one who always wanted to have the latest scoop.  She even used a spoon to do some of the digging; The treasure was found without all of her rigging.  When she put her mind to a task, There was nothing to stop her, not even to ask.  She plodded over the tundra with the best of us; She never gave up. and was never a fuss. My uncle and aunt’s daughter, my COUSIN, of course, Was attending Duke University, despite some extended family remorse.  On this trip we saw her after she came out of her shell, Resulting from her newfound college experience, which was obviously going well.  Her model like features-tall and slender, with long blond hair – Did not hint to her addiction to chocolate we discovered while out there. My other COUSIN, the one in love, Was tall and strong, but as gentle as a dove.  he was soft-spoken and quiet, Never one to start a riot.  he listened intently to everything that was said.  He was intelligent and had common sense about his head.  It was clear he could not wait for his girlfriend to be his bride.  It was on this trip that he asked her to be forever by his side.  My cousin’s GIRLFIREND also came on this adventure.  Her wavy brown hair was beautiful and pure. She was of medium height and slender build, At scrapbook making she was very skilled.  With six years dating my cousin under her belt, A part of the family she already felt.  her life had become happily full, With an engagement ring and an acceptance to dental school.  Now that you have read about the travelers in my lengthy speech, It is time to listen to the tales told by each. Now come along with us to the land of the cold, And you can judge the tales for yourself as each one is told.