Come on now, be social!

Like most of us, I’m usually connected online! I’ll wake up in the morning, check my e-mail, facebook, and twitter stream, at work it’s either research or social media, when I’m mobile it’s my iPhone!

I’m a social person by nature and it’s the old saying “Everyone has a story” that fuels my passion of traveling around Alaska and share my experiences with you all. I love hearing stories!

I want us all to reclaim the roots of our social culture. Don’t get me wrong, I dig social media as one of the most awesome communication tools in our society. However, I can’t help notice the majority still place value on the follow me, friend me, like me, and become a fan of me, which appears to have taken a precedence over the cold call “Hello, what’s your story?” or the like!

So this is video was my attempt at bringing it back home. I had a blast out on the streets asking people one simple question “What does Alaska mean to you?” and it was this experience that I learned how many great people I have yet to meet.

So my friends… Be Bold! To the stranger next to you say “Hi” and strike up a conversation, you’ll otherwise never know what you could be missing.

Cheers,
Scott

Take a journey with me across Alaska in black and white. In my travels, I’ve always taken my downtime to experiment with filming in black and white, there’s a certain feel and look I achieve vs. desaturating color footage.

I sat down one evening this week, pulled some music from one of my favorite artists Jap Jap www.japjap.net , and layered in some of my favorite black and white scenes.

Enjoy this SanitySaver!
Scott

Scott here with a new audio show, what used to be Alaska Podshow, is taken on a new form. This is a rough show, still working out some bugs, but I had a great time getting behind the mic again!

Show Credits:

• Anchorage Museum
 presents Bradford Washburn
  “Glories of the Greatland”
  www.anchoragemuseum.org
• Black Kettle
  “Chameleon”
  Get it on iTunes
• Doc Schultz and the Last Frontier Band
  Save The Whales/Drunken Sailor
• Geoff Smith
  “Hello Hello”
  www.thegeoffsmith.com
• Scott Merrick and the Last Frontier Band
  “Alaska Song”
  www.scottmerrick.net

Be sure to follow the show by becoming a fan at http://www.facebook.com/alaskahdtv or follow Scott at http://www.facebook.com/scottslone

Thanks for listing!

Scott hit’s the road with camera in hand to capture the more intimate moments we might not otherwise look at ourselves. Take a moment, sit back, and enjoy the views. Even better we hope you’ll get out and play in the snow!

There is one thing that is always consistent with Alaska winters though – darkness. Up until December 21 we lose around 5 minutes of light per day, at which point we start gaining it back at about the same rate. So, if you are a local don’t forget to get out and enjoy the snow. For our friends not currently in Alaska, enjoy our winter from the comfort of your chair. We hope you enjoy!

The Resorts shares its backyard with the Chugach National Forest, which is the world’s northern-most temperate rainforest. So it shouldn’t surprise you that both Alyeska and the Chugach National Forest share a labor of love in making the trail systems sustainable and accessible.

Local facts: Located in Girdwood, Alaska – Alyeska Resort is approximately 50 miles south from Anchorage. Part of the Chugach mountain range Mt.Alyeska is the biggest ski mountain in the state of Alaska. The ski area was founded in 1954, and its first chair lift and day lodge were opened in 1959. Today, remains a popular destination and Alyeska operates six chair lifts and a the Alyeska tramway, which is a high-speed tram located on the North Face.

All of us here at Alaska HDTV are fans of Mt.Alyeska! The resort brings it all together a perfect mix of rustic atmosphere with a topping of four start treatment. It’s a heck of a playground just minutes from Anchorage, and I’m hoping they’ll have us back for some winter adventures to share!

Thanks to:
Alyeska Resort
Chugach National Forest

Previous Alyeska Episode:
Alyeska Resort Hike for Kids!

Thanks for watching the show!
Scott

Join me, Scott Slone, as we fly out with Rust’s Flying Service 70 miles north of Anchorage to Riversong Lodge, which is located right on the edge of the Yentna River at the confluence of Lake Creek.

When Todd Rust told us about this trip, and that it required landing on a river, I knew we were in for one heck of an experience! I’ve never landed on a river in a floatplane, so this goes down as a first time experience for me.

Riversong Lodge is a family owned business. Randy and Robin Dewar along with their seasoned staff offer a unique and extraordinary wilderness experience, which features superb fishing, personable and warm atmosphere.

Full-day fishing adventures are fueled by Riversong’s gourmet cooking, topped off with genuine hospitality, and passion to share their Alaska experience is unmatched by few! I’d highly recommended Riversong, but no other testimony better than your own — So what are you waiting for?!

Thanks to
Rust’s Flying Service
www.flyrusts.com

Riversong Lodge
www.riversonglodge.com

Until our next adventure..
Cheers!
Scott

Based on a recommendation by Orca Island Cabins, Scott heads out to sea with Semaka Charters on a hunt for halibut and other strange sea creatures. The journey begins in Seward Alaska where we meet with owner and captain Eric Clock and his daughter Anne.

Everyone had an amazing day of fishing and this day was absolutely stunning with sunny skies and glassy seas. Everyone caught something and some came close the 100 lbs mark! So get onboard the the Seafarer, where no bananas are allowed!

Special thanks

• Semaka Charters for  a wonderful fishing experience
• Guests who put up with our filming
• Job for roughing the open sea for 8 hours of sea sickness!

Join us on a two day adventure with Dennis and Susan Swiderski, owners of Orca Island Cabins. We journey to their private island located in Humpy Cove, which is a 40 minute boat ride from Seward out into Resurrection Bay. The scenery is epic and the time spent in the kayak was exhilarating.

I’ve traveled the lengths of Resurrection Bay many times in my life, but this adventure has changed my connection with the area significantly.  I’ve always loved Alaska’s coastal wilderness, habitats, wildlife, and sea life! The trip out with Susan and Dennis to their island, and the experience they offer, have yielded memories that will last me a lifetime.  It is truly an opportunity to get up close with this part of Alaska, and even better it’s right here in our backyard!

Enjoy the show!

Visit Orca Island Cabins
www.orcaislandcabins.com
(907) 491-1988
(888) 494-5846
Seward, Alaska

Music credits:
Artist: Captain Number 1
Title: “On the Back of a Whale”
Web: music.mevio.com

Artist: Kenny Ainge
Title: “Riverboat Fairy Tales”
Web: music.mevio.com

Download the video files:

• Small Format : 57 MB
• Medium Format : 111 MB
• HD Format : 285 MB

The arrival of springtime in Alaska also means that the local wildlife starts spreading its wings. Sit back and enjoy the sights and sounds of local birds as they do their thing.

Music credits:
Artist: Tracy Jane Comer
Title: “Rondo”
Web: www.tracyjanecomer.com

Download the video files:

• Small Format : 17 MB
• Medium Format : 49 MB
• HD Format : 157 MB 

Hiking in Alaska can sometimes be unpredictable, especially in the mountains. This early spring hike was a mix of snowy trails, mud, rocks, dust and lots of high winds. Getting out and summiting a local hill can still be a great time, despite the spring conditions.

On this hike, we’re just 20 minutes from downtown Anchorage on a very popular local mountain known as Flattop. During the summer months, this 1.5 mile (one way) hike is often busy with hikers, backpackers, mountain bikers, families and even tourists.

The appeal of Flattop is its close proximity to town and the amazing view you get at the top. While it is an easy hike for the first half, I would highly recommend a good pair of hiking boots for the upper portions of the hike. Once you get past the saddle portion of the hike, the terrain becomes very rocky and eventually becomes a bit more like mountain climbing than hiking.

No matter your ability, Flattop is a great place to get out and gain some elevation for some spectacular views. So, without further adieu – enjoy the show!

Resources:

• Flattop Mountain Shuttle
  Roundtrip from downtown Anchorage for $22
• Large Map of the Flattop Trail System
  (5.9mb JPG image)