Recently, I was fortunate enough to visit Alaska with my family. It was such a unique experience, and I learned so much about the environment and history of the state. My first stop on my trip was to Ketchikan, where I met a group of Indigenous people that came from multiple different tribes. I had the privilege of watching the tribes perform an ancient performance that involved dancing, singing, and drums. I also saw multiple totem poles that were created over generations. Each totem pole tells a story, encapsulating the history of the tribes and significant moments regarding their land. The artistry of the totem poles were all distinct and intricately designed, with carvings of eagles, bears, and deer–all made from red cedar and painted with many different colors. Unlike my experience of living on the east coast in the States, visiting Alaska has given me a new perspective on the importance of preservation of the Indigenous people and their sacred land, and the significance in taking steps for reparations.
The next visit I made on my Alaska trip was to Juneau. Seeing the Alaskan huskies is definitely a must when going to Alaska. There, I visited a farm of Alaskan huskies that partake in the Iditarod, a yearly dog sled race. All of the Alaskan huskies are hybrid dogs and begin training at just two weeks old. Because they are all intermixed breeds, the huskies all look different but with a similar build. In the Iditarod, 16 huskies partake in the race. They are able to run with over 600 pounds of weight being tied to them. This annual event is unique to Alaska and its culture, and it was fascinating to see the dogs in action. I was lucky enough to experience riding with the Alaskan huskies through the mountains of Alaska and see the beautiful scenery of Juneau and all that nature has to offer. In Juneau, I also had the opportunity to go see orcas and whales on a boating excursion. It was fascinating to see the orcas and whales swim in the natural environment and to see the beautiful scenery of the waters and mountains.
The last stop I made in Alaska was to Skagway. There, I took a train ride along the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. On this train ride, we went through Yukon, which is one of the territories in Canada. The scenery of Skagway was breathtaking, with the mountains, trees, animals, and snow peaks. On this tour, we came across bears, bald eagles, and moose. It was a fascinating sight to see, as I had never seen these animals before the train ride. Going to Alaska is a once in a lifetime opportunity, as it is so remote from the rest of the United States. The history, the nature, and the towns are unique to the state and contain their own quaint culture that is unlike anywhere I have ever been.
Author: Andrea Loo
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