“They’re going to criticize me no matter what I do, so I might as well dance.” – Bristol Palin
Race car great Mario Andretti once said, “If everything’s under control then you’re going too slow.” In Alaska, we have two speeds in the summertime: fast and faster – that’s because Alaskan summers are so short and sweet. We always try to cram it all in before the leaves change and snow flies again. Seasons change so quickly up here that we’re full-speed ahead to capture every minute under the Midnight Sun doing what we love to do in the great outdoors.
Last summer my family documented our travels through Alaska so that the rest of America could see and experience our country’s young, independent, resource-rich Last Frontier.
From sliming salmon together at our family’s commercial fishing sites on the world’s largest salmon spawning grounds in Bristol Bay, to white water rafting in the wilds, searching for gold, climbing mountains, hunting wild game near rich oil fields, and watching mama bears protecting their cubs a mere stone’s throw away from my own, Alaska will be highlighted in a spectacular way in this eight-week TLC series called “Sarah Palin’s Alaska.” We’ll show you what inspires and motivates us: the grandeur of God’s creation, the satisfaction of a good day’s hard work, the rugged pioneering spirit that carves a life out of the wilderness and makes a living on the waters, the wisdom and traditions of our Alaska Natives, and the wealth of our natural resources which allows us to support ourselves and contribute to America’s security.
So, while traveling by bush planes, dog sleds, four-wheelers, trucks, and boom boats across the vast expanses of America’s largest state, my family documented Alaska to share it with other American families.
No doubt critics who seem to live to criticize will follow suit with this project. So be it. Todd and I are showing people our home state which we love, and we wanted to create the sort of family-friendly, uplifting, educational television that we like to watch with our kids. We made something that people could watch as a family, have fun discussing the project’s content, and maybe then decide that they want to head up to the Last Frontier and see the epic 49th state for themselves.
Americans are hungry for decent entertainment that doesn’t offend our sensibilities or insult our intelligence. So many parents are upset about all of the negative things on television. We’re often told to just turn off the TV, but let’s face it: turning it off doesn’t really shut it off. You can’t block out the world. Instead of turning the TV off, families usually end up making the most of what’s on – even if the message is anything but positive. The only real solution is to offer positive alternatives. That’s what we have done here. It’s my hope that these eight episodes will be just such a positive offering, and a tribute to Alaska, and a reminder of America’s pioneering spirit.
Sure, there will be the usual critics who still won’t understand why we would document the natural resources and uniqueness of the Last Frontier, though in doing this I am keeping my promise to fellow Alaskans that I would do all I could to support and promote Alaska. My answer to those naysayers is the reminder my daughter Bristol offered when she was blessed with the opportunity to participate on “Dancing with the Stars.” I cautioned Bristol about all the criticism she’d no doubt encounter. Bristol told me, “Mom, they’re going to criticize me no matter what I do, so I might as well dance!” Yes, they’ll criticize us no matter what, so I might as well climb and fly and trek and build and hunt and fish and share with you the awe-inspiring beauty of Alaska...and because I wanted my family along for the ride, I want your family to come along, too. Follow me there!
Please tune in Sunday at 9:00 pm (8:00 pm central). The show’s opening lyrics sing the invitation: “Come on and follow me there...to my sanctuary! Follow me there!”
- Sarah Palin
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