Photo by filo

– Doug McConnell

It’s very hard for me to believe, still feeling pretty darn young, that I moved to Alaska 35 years ago this coming June. Wow. Where did the time go? Too busy enjoying life, I guess.

I lived in Alaska 9 years before finally heading back to the lower ‘48. I get back quite a bit and have had the chance to travel far and wide in the state. Over the years, I’ve come to identify Sitka as one of my favorite towns. Its history is very present, its setting is spectacular, and its modern sophistication may surprise you. I’ve had the chance to visit Sikta many times and could easily imagine living there full-time.

One of my trips was with our terrific TV crew and a dear old friend, Bill Wheaton, some years back. I hope you enjoy our Sitka, Alaska’s Russian & Tlingit Heritage and please send us descriptions of yours whenever you can. Then see some of our other OpenRoad.TV adventures in Alaska including Alaska’s Denali National Park and Alaska’s Kenai Fjords and plan your next trip right away.

– Jim Wirth

Photo by leezsnow

Alaska!  Known to many as “The Last Frontier” and “Land of the Midnight Sun,” the Alaska territory was referred to as “Seward’s Folly” in 1867 during the battle between Secretary of State William H. Seward and the United States Congress over its purchase from Russia.  It may have seemed “folly” at the time, but in hindsight it was $7.2 Million very well spent!

We’ve uploaded several of our Alaska videos to OpenRoad.TV this week:  Alaska’s Glacier Bay & Whale Display, Alaska’s Kenai Fjords, Denali National Park, and America’s Northernmost Road.   Find even more videos of adventure in Alaska on our Alaska Map. 

During my own virtual exploration of Alaska this week, I came across three truly wonderful on-line journals.  The first is a blog called Alaskology written by Steve Edwards, special sections editor at the Anchorage Daily News.  Steve’s goal with Alaskology is to give readers a look at Alaska through local eyes, while bringing their attention to special events and vacation deals.

“Northern Girl” Angie M. is a self proclaimed “explorer of life – an avid lover of the outdoors and Alaska.” Angie regularly updates a journal on her site northerngirl.net with stories, useful information and stunning photographs of Alaskan wildlife, culture and events.  Be sure to also check out Angie’s northerngirl.net photo gallery.

And last, but certainly not least, is a blog from 28 year old Jill in Juneau called “Up in Alaska.”  Jill describes herself as “an Alaska journalist who likes to bicycle in horrendous conditions and eat goldfish crackers and Pepsi for breakfast.”   Jill biked 100 miles yesterday.  322 miles so far this month.  Jill biked 350 miles of the Iditarod Trail Invitational over seven days in February.  Yep – Jill likes to bicycle.  And as amazing as her bicycling feats may be, Jill tops it with the exemplary quality and style of her writing and photography.  I can’t wait to see where the road… or should I say snow… takes Jill next.