An Anchorage resident since 2004, Teeka Ballas has been a freelance writer and journalist for numerous statewide publications, and a host on Alaska Public Radio. She is now the operations manager of Out North, a multidisciplinary art center, and the publisher and editor of F Magazine, the only statewide monthly independent arts and culture publication. She worked on Experience Alaska and South Central Alaska.
Linda Coffman, our resident Cruise Diva, updated the Alaska By Cruise Ship chapter. She is a freelance travel writer who has been dishing out cruise travel–related advice and information for nearly two decades. Her articles have appeared online and in national magazines and newspapers, including Porthole, Consumer’s Digest, the Chicago Sun Times, and USA Today. An avid cruiser, she spends most of her time cruising in the Caribbean when she’s not at home in Augusta, Georgia.
The catalyst for Amy Fletcher’s initial visit to Alaska in 1992 was an enticing two-line description of Juneau’s stunning natural beauty in a travel guide. She arrived to find the writer had not exaggerated, and two decades later still calls the city home. She currently works as the arts editor for the Juneau Empire and runs Adorn, a small art gallery, with four other women. She updated Southeast Alaska for this guide.
Sarah Henning was suckered into moving to Alaska by her husband. After seven years, she is officially and happily an Alaska girl—she knows how to use bear spray, wears rubber boots anywhere, anytime, and always carries a pocket knife. She has more than a decade of experience as a daily newspaper reporter with a specialty in arts and entertainment. She updated Anchorage for this guide.
Lisa Hupp has lived and worked throughout Southwest Alaska, including time in Unalaska/Dutch Harbor, Shuyak Island, and Bristol Bay. A resident of Kodiak since 2005, she enjoys exploring her home island and hopes someday to create the perfect batch of blueberry jam. She updated the Kodiak section of the South Central chapter and the Bush chapter.
E. Readicker-Henderson first moved to Alaska in 1978, and since then has traveled every corner of his adopted home state. He updated the Interior and Denali National Park and Preserve chapters, and wrote the Biodiversity chapter.
Jessica Rohe (née Bowman) is a freelance writer who lives in Houston, Texas. Originally from Alaska, Jessica has traveled to and resided in various cities and countries around the globe, including New York, London, Seattle, Oklahoma City, and Nome. She is a seasoned travel hound and is eagerly looking forward to her next adventure, be it Machu Picchu or following the road to Mordor in New Zealand. She updated Travel Smart Alaska.