We are hiking through Sitka National Historical Park. A great battle was waged
here between the Russians and the Tlingit Indians. The Russians succeeded and
settled here. They over hunted the sea otter fur and forced Tlingit women to
"serve them". There is a famous Russian orthodox church and some Russian
language is still spoken here. However, when the US purchased Alaska from Russia
in 1867 for 7.2 million dollars, the Russians went home. We were told there
was a big celebration after they departed.