Living life by the California Bay with her family in tow, Madeline Lu isn’t afraid to add a touch of decadence to her photo feed. From cityscapes to epic crepes, Madeline captures exactly what we’re hungry for. She just returned from an Instagram takeover in Sitka, Alaska as part of Alaska’s Weekend Wanderer series. For more Weekend Wanderer posts, be sure to follow Alaska Airlines on Instagram.

Sitka is not just a small town, but a hidden gem. It was named one of the 20 most beautiful towns in America by Condé Nast. When we found out we could visit Sitka for a weekend, we did not hesitate for a second.

To reach Sitka from San Francisco, we flew via Seattle, which was such a scenic route. We could not keep our eyes away from the window, as the beautiful mountain peaks poked out of the clouds. The entire flight was very comfortable and pleasant. We loved the extra leg space, the free movies and TV shows, and the friendly and helpful staff. My kids were fascinated by the flight deck and were invited the captain to sit in the captain and first officer’s seats. The crew even let them make a “welcome aboard” announcement to the rest of the passengers. That really made their day!

The only way to visit Sitka is either by sea or by air. Arriving by air is the best way to appreciate Sitka’s stunning setting. From above, you can clearly see how this small town is situated between the Sisters mountain range and the sea. When the sky is clear, you can see the snow-capped peak of Mount Edgecumbe, a dormant volcano that rises over 3,200 feet.

Sitka is rugged and wild, and seemingly untouched by the modern world. For us, it was the perfect escape from the busy bustle and tech-packed world. It is also a great place for hikers, hunters, fishermen, runners and climbers.

During our three-day stay, we visited the Sitka National Historical Park, the oldest national park in Alaska, which was once a fierce battlefield between the native Tlingit people and the Russians.

We visited Fortress of the Bear, a local rescue center for orphaned grizzly bear cubs and injured bears.

We kayaked along the shores of Sitka and saw kelp forests, starfish, jellyfish, eagles and many wild creatures. We heard that a group kayaking a few days prior even encountered whales during their journey – how lucky!

While hiking, we handpicked wild salmonberries along the trail. We have never seen or tasted this wild berry before, and we were totally in love with it. It was so juicy and sweet.

And if you are a keen salmon and crab lover, there is no better place to taste a fresh catch than Sitka.

You can tell there is a strong sense of community in Sitka. The locals were very friendly, helpful and open. They made an extra effort to make us feel welcome and comfortable.

All in all, it was such a beautiful weekend to visit Sitka and to get a small taste of wild Alaska. I can’t wait to go back and explore more.