History channel documentary on Alaska

rogerbum

There's a good show on tonight on the history channel - "Alaska: Big America" is a 2-hour documentary on the history of Alaska. Just got done showing the building of the AlCan Hwy. Very interesting.. 1 hr left and will probably be in re-runs sometime later...

Makes us in the lower 48 appreciate how hard life was (is?) up there - especially in the pre-Hwy days.

dogon dory · Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2005 12:40 am Post subject:

Sorry, Folks - Post Deleted By Author

Jeff and Julie · Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2005 1:28 pm Post subject:

I saw that was on last night and recorded it. Now I have that to watch along with hours of the Deadliest Catch.
Interior Alaska makes living in Southeast look like a piece of cake! Of course, living on an island like we did, you had to plan for things pretty good also. Not quite as difficult now with the fast ferries and all.

Julie

Chivita · Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2005 2:59 pm Post subject:

Having lived in Southeast Alaska for only 6 months, I'm by no means an expert, but I will admit one thing I've noticed.

IT STINKS UP HERE!

Especially if you live anywhere near the water! Everyday that you have to look at all that beautiful water, smell the fish kicking around in that water, watch the dang Bald Eagles and Ravens flying by with fish in their talons or beaks, ... and then to have to go into a building and work just stinks.

It's even worse when you have an office with a WINDOW. You look out and see snow covered mountains you know you can drive to in your pickup, amazing boats hooked to pickups, people driving by with Quadrunners in their pickups, dogs in their pickups, fishing stuff in their pickups, SALMON in their pickups, AAARRGGGHHHH!

Whatever you do, DON"T move up here! It's just too damn great. You know you can wake up at four in the morning, look out your window and see all that beautiful water just begging for your boat to come visit? Who's idea was it to make it light at four in the morning so that I can see that water? Four in the afternoon is even worse, yeah, OK so I've seen those nature shows that have the two Bald Eagles locked talon-to-talon spinning crazily down, down, down until at the last moment they break off and scream great eagle obscenities, but to have to see that 20 feet away from you, again and again? AAARRGGGHHHH!

And then there is that whole SNOW thing. I wanna know who invented SNOWMACHINES? These things do like 70 MPH! Unless you happen to connect with a tree, even a wipe out leaves you laughing, AAAARRRGGGHHH!

Visiting is a better idea! Then you can go home and tell everyone about how crazy Alaskans are without becoming one. Well, gotta go, I smell SALMON!

ltlgoats · Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2005 6:07 pm Post subject:

Good story. Sounds like the same one everybody tell of Cascadia! It doesn't apply to us retired folks though!

Byrdman · Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2005 2:56 am Post subject:

just getting back on and looking for the next playing of this documentary. Can't find it right away.... may need copy from Julie.... Please..?
Byrdman on FreeByrd in Bama

Jeff and Julie · Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2005 11:46 am Post subject:

I replied to your PM Byrdman. Not a problem!

Byrdman · Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2005 12:19 pm Post subject:

Many thanks! Looking forward to the viewing.
Byrdman

Catman · Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2005 8:47 pm Post subject:

Chivita, that does it. I'm movin' up there and bringing all my friends and family with me. My cats, too. Sitka. Yeah, Sitka.
Idea

Chivita · Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2005 8:53 pm Post subject:

Did I mention the Halibut? Don't get me started on those suckers!

Sea Wolf · Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2005 7:28 am Post subject:

Chivita-

Of all the places I've visited in SE Alaska, Sitka is my favorite. More and varied wildlife, both open ocean and between island passages, just the best of all the state has to offer.

Rather than motor over to that portion of the state after leaving the tow vehicle in Prince Ruppert, I'd consider shipping my boat to Sitka on the ferry system and living in it while fishing and exploring the surrounding area, for at least a month or more, to make the most of it and to make the shipping worth it.

What do you think of the idea? Maybe others might be interested in it? How about a C-Dory month long cruise in Sitka some summer? July would be best? Joe.

CAVU · Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2005 8:48 pm Post subject:

Joe,
I would definitely be interested. I already have this summer filled but summer 06 would work for me. I have read that the weather is actually better May-Jun than Jul-Aug? I have never been to Sitka but I have heard the same story from many people-definitely the best in SE Alaska.

Chivita · Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 1:27 am Post subject:

Joe,

We were planning on coming up on the ferry as it sounded like a great adventure, unfortunately we were unable to do so on this trip but I've heard that it is the way to go! One of the positives of managing hotels is the ability to set up a great C-Dory gathering so I'll be happy to help out on that end. The Harbormaster up here could not be a better guy and has a passion for helping boaters enjoy this place so I'm sure he'd have some good suggestions for places to explore.

According to several life long Sitkans, end of Jun, July and August are usually the best weather months, but the last two months have been stunning and last summer was unusually sunny. I doubt you could get bored exploring up here in a month, but you may get tired off eating all the fish you've caught. Make sure your downrigger is tuned up, Scotty's are the most previlent and there are parts and supplies all over for them if you need. There are quite a few Forest Service cabins that you can rent on the islands around here and there are several hot springs worth visiting as well, just be prepared as clothing is sometimes optional.

Let me know if you are headed up here and I'll prepare the welcome wagon!

"Chivita" Dave

C-Hawk · Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 10:51 am Post subject:

Chivita-
Ya, I know. Life stinks. I have to come to work here on campus where I can look out across the Santa Barbara Channel and see the Channel Islands just beckoning for me.

I love Sitka! I used to go up there and do all the welding inspection for APL. Always made it a point go out the the Channel Club for dinner.

Get the book "Sitka" by Louis L'Amour http://www.louislamour.com/novels/sitka.htm

Jeff and Julie · Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 11:35 am Post subject:

I have taken the Alaska state ferry several times from Sitka to Seattle and just love it. Growing up in Sitka, we always used to take our "vacation" the second week in August to fly out to the forest service cabins. I don't ever remember being rained on during that week.
We hope to see you, Chivita Dave, when we are up in August.

Julie