Tuesday, May 14, 2024 – Photo of the Day – Sitka, Alaska

Where in the World Are We?

We are in Sitka, Alaska.

SITKA, ALASKA
WHERE ROBUST HERITAGE AND NATURAL WONDER MEET FOR MAGICAL EXPERIENCES

A distant land of bears, wild landscapes, and icy adventures, sail between glorious islands and witness the diverse
wildlife of the Inside Passage.

Eagles watch over the scenery overhead while whales and sea lions add glorious weight to the animal life that thrives
and thrashes in these icy seas. With a quintet of Pacific salmon species filling the rich rivers and waterways with life,
settle back to enjoy the show as Sitka’s immense setpieces play out before you.

You might notice the onion-shaped dome atop St. Michael’s Church – a relic of the area’s Russian history. Sitka formed
a part of the Russian Empire until a deal was struck in 1867, and the territory was sold to the United States, with the
handover ceremony taking place here in Sitka.

The native Tlingit culture is a significant presence, and elaborate totem poles rocket up in Sitka National Historical
Park. They mark the battleground of 1804 when the indigenous people clashed fiercely with the Russians. The snowcapped
peak of the dormant volcano, Mount Edgecumbe, draws understandable comparisons with Mount Fuji’s symmetrical cone. Climb to thrilling heights as you arrive on Kruzof Island, and enjoy richly spellbinding views of the scattered Pacific islands while hiking.

Whether you want to spend your time flying above snow-dusted mountain ridges, fishing for colossal King salmon,
or savoring Northwest frontier cuisine in waterfront restaurants, there’s no shortage of ways to experience Sitka’s
natural wonders.

SITKA NATIONAL HISTORY PARK
Follow a nature trail through Sitka National Historical Park, which showcases totem poles like the ones exhibited at the 1904 World’s Fair. Created in 1910 to commemorate the Battle of 1804 between the Tlingits and the Russians, the forested park is Alaska’s oldest and is rich in history. The indigenous Tlingit people carved and painted the totems, which feature stylized human, animal, and supernatural forms that are highly symbolic.

SIGHTS

Alaska Raptor Center
Fortress of the Bear
Baranof Castle State Historic Site
Russian Bishop’s House
Sitka Sound Science Center
Sheldon Jackson Museum
Herring Cove Trail

Today’s Excursion – Alaska Raptor Center & Cultural Discovery
We experience the culture and wildlife of Sitka during this picturesque excursion.

Alaska Raptor Centre.

Upon arrival, an educational video showcasing the vital work the center provides to the local raptor population.
The Alaska Raptor Centre operates with bird-care professionals assisted by volunteers to rescue birds, provide them with rehabilitative care, and, hopefully, release them back into the wild. We spoke with an experienced bird handler to learn first-hand about the rehabilitation work performed onsite and met one of the center’s educational resident raptors for an up-close look at these magnificent birds.

Sitka National Historical Park
We continued to Sitka National Historical Park. Site of the 1804 Battle of Alaska, the park boasts a delightful array of historic Tlingit and Russian cultural exhibits, totem-lined trails, and carving rooms where native Alaskan artisans demonstrate their totemic art form. We walked the nature trail, viewed cultural exhibits, saw work from local Native artists, and watched video presentations.

Sheldon Jackson Museum

The Sheldon Jackson Museum establishment is located on the Sheldon Jackson College campus and was founded in 1888 to preserve Alaska’s natural and cultural history. The museum boasts an extensive collection of art and artifacts from many different Native cultures across the state and Pacific Northwest.

James A. Michener lived on the campus of Sheldon Jackson College in Sitka while researching his 1988 novel Alaska. Governor Bill Sheffield invited Michener to live and write on campus in 1983, and he spent part of 1985 in Sitka researching the novel.

After the tour, we explored Sitka.

THE FEEL GOOD SHOW
PART 2 – WITH MALE VOCALIST ROGER WRIGHT
Roger Wright was the first man in the UK’s original West End cast to play
the role of the Adult Simba in ‘Disney’s The Lion King.

He went on to play Marvin Gaye in ‘Dancing in the Streets’ in the West End; he was also the principal vocalist in Michael Jackson’s West End Musical “Thriller Live.”

You may recognize Roger from the Andrew Lloyd Webber/ITV Studios television show ‘Superstar’ in which Roger landed third place in this TV casting show for the Arena Tour of “Jesus Christ Superstar.”

The Feel Good Show Parts 1 & 2 will feature Roger singing various genres of music with his versatile voice. The Feel Good Show includes songs by Eddie Floyd, Jackie Wilson, Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, Songs from The Lion King, The Righteous Brothers, Stevie Wonder, and much more. Roger is recording songs for his forthcoming album, which is due for release soon.