Sitka AK - Part 1

Our passage to Sitka was our third trip on the Matanuska.  During the first two voyages it was very warm on the boat, such that I had shed down to a short-sleeve t-shirt.  On our Sunday passage to Sitka, however, the boat was frigid.  We both had on all the clothes we had brought from the coach, but were still cold, and it was difficult to nap. We docked at Sitka at 2:45am, and there was a car blocking the coach whose driver was apparently still sleeping on the ship.  We didn't leave the boat until after 3:00 a.m.  We parked in the day use area at Starrigavan Recreation Area, only about 1/2 mile from the ferry terminal and got a little sleep before moving to our reserved site after daylight.

Site 20 at Starrigavan CG

Site 20 even has camp furniture 

There were no operating spigots in the campground, but there is an artesian well close to our site.  There was a constant stream of folks filling jugs at the well.   They like to come here because it is good free water and is not chlorinated.  The guy in the picture was our neighbor.  He is a commercial pilot flying 7-seat passenger service out of Sitka to neighboring areas along the inside passage. 

The weather here has been better than in Petersburg and much better than in Ketchikan, but we are still in a rain forest.  It's all relative.

Wonder which day we're leaving Sitka?  If you guessed Sunday you win the prize.

No falling snow this day, but it was close

Old Thomsen Harbor

Matilda says "I want to get on the boat"

Sitka is located on Baranof Island and is steeped in Alaska history.  It is the site of the first Russian settlement and the site where Russia ceded Alaska to the United States in 1867, 150 years ago.  The transfer took place on Castle Hill, a 60 foot outcrop on the edge of Sitka Harbor.

$7.2 million.  What a deal!  We paid almost that much on ferry fares.

When Dorcas and I go into an old folks home, I hope it's as nice as this one.  We went in and talked with a very nice lady who is a resident.

Sitka's Alaska Pioneer Home overlooking Sitka Harbor

Dorcas and "The Prospector"

They have everything at the Sitka Hotel.  St Michael's Cathedral on left

The Baranov Totem Pole tells the story, as totems usually do

St Michael's Russian Orthodox Cathedral

 We visited the Sitka National Historical Park which largely celebrates the native heritage of the island.  They have a large collection of totems that can be viewed by walking a trail along the waterfront to the Indian River.  Totems told a story or commemorated an event or an individual and were never intended to last a long time.  In the weather they typically will not last more that 60-80 years.  Most of these totem, at least those outside, are authentic reproductions of their original counterparts.

Raven and shark totem

Dorcas and friend

Internet and cellular service are non-existent at our campsite (and many of our previous campsites) which makes it difficult to produce this journal. SE Alaska has fine libraries, and we have spent quite a bit of time there using their internet.

Our home

Our home away from home

The Sitka Library was attacked by a dinosaur while we were there

Unlike Ketchikan, cruise ships do not come to Sitka every day, but they do come.  When that happens both traffic and internet service seem to grind to a screeching halt.

More huge skunk cabbage with 5 foot diameter trunk for perspective

Crescent Harbor

 Alexander Andreyevich Baranov was the first governor of Russian America and the namesake for Baranof Island.

Dorcas, Matilda and Alex, himself

Starrigavan Recreation Area has a boardwalk that overlooks the estuary at Starrigavan Creek.  It's a great place to watch eagles.

Our national symbol, looking proud

Taking a cold bath

On the wing

A mature and an immature bald eagle, chillin' in a tree

Coming in for a landing

The estuary on Starrigavan Creek

On Wednesday we hiked the Herring Cove Trail.

High bridge

Low bridge 

No bridge

We parked for a while at Whale Park.  Surprisingly, we did see some humpback blows and one fluke as he dove (not counting this guy at the parking lot).

Whale Park

Sitka - Part 2 to follow shortly.

We will depart on the ferry for Juneau at 4:45 am on Sunday.