Sitka

Sitka is a small town, situated on Baranof Island on the outside of the Alaska panhandle.  It's website describes it as a combination of Native culture, Russian history, and Alaskan wilderness which will provide a diverse and unequaled experience.

The two main features that left an impression here on us were the totem poles in the Sitka National Historic Park, and the birds at the Alaska Raptor Center.

Totem Poles

The Sitka National Historic Park is Alaska's oldest federally designated park.  It was established in 1910 to commemorate the 1804 Battle of Sitka, the last major conflict between Europeans and Alaska Natives.  The park contains a large number of totem poles, some of which are shown here.

If you want an indication of the size of some of these totem poles, look at the man at the foot.

Raptors

The Alaska Raptor Center is Alaska's foremost bald eagle hospital and educational center.  Each year, they provide medical treatment to approximately 200 injured bald eagles and other birds.