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| The cloudy scenes were appealing, although a sunny day in Sitka would have been nice. |
Please note: We’re finalizing the headcount for the “Meet & Greet” for our readers in Minneapolis on June 9th from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at:
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| The “Welcome to Sitka Alaska” sign greeted us as we disembarked the ship. |
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| There are thousands of small islands in the sea surrounding Alaska. |
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Sitka is the first and oldest city in Alaska, some sources say it is 10,000 years old
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For 63 years Sitka was a major Russian port. (Fur trading)
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Sitka was the site of the signing of the Alaska purchase on October 18th, 1867.
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The City and Borough of Sitka, Alaska, encompasses 4,710 square miles, making it the largest city in the United States.
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Sitka, Alaska is the 4th largest city in Alaska by population after Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau. (Population around 9,000)
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Sitka was featured in the hit US movie, “The Proposal” with Sandra Bullock, although most of the scenes of the city are actually filmed in Boston
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Smithsonian Magazine named Sitka number 9 in the 20 Best Small Towns to Visit in 2013
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Travel Channel Recently Featured Sitka on their popular show “Bizarre Foods”
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James Michener lived here while writing his epic novel Alaska
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John O Connell Bridge between Baranof and Japonski Island is the first cable-stayed bridge in the Western Hemisphere
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| We were the only ship in port and the crowds in the town weren’t wrong. |
As is the case in each location we visit, we ask ourselves the interminable questions, “Should we return here for a two or three-month stay or could we ever live here?” Yes, to the first question. No, to the second.
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| Our bus driver explained that most days it was so foggy and cloudy a scene such as this would have been impossible. |
We’ll never live in such a cold and snowy location after spending a lifetime in Minnesota for Tom, and over 40 years for me, in the frozen tundra that so well describes the winter months in the cold northern state, bordering Manitoba, Canada.
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| Walrus tusk decorator items. |
Then again, the bigger question becomes…”Will we ever “live” anywhere permanently?” Highly unlikely, based on our current joy in living as nomads, a lifestyle we’ve easily adopted, hopefully for the long haul.
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| Me in another giant bear chair. |
Yesterday, after uploading the post, we bundled up in warm clothing and made our way to deck two to depart the ship for the free bus shuttle to downtown Sitka.
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| Is this some type of Bison? |
Getting off the ship was relatively quick and easy but the line inside the visitor’s center waiting to board the free shuttle buses was long and slow. We waited for no less than 20 minutes.
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| Me, posing in yet another bear chair. |
The ride to the center of the small town was another 15 minutes but the breathtaking scenery on the way and the informational chatter of the bus driver kept us occupied.
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| St. Michael’s Cathedral is also known as the Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel“. |
It’s nearly impossible to take good photos from a fast-moving bus. However, once we arrived in downtown Sitka, the photo ops were plentiful as we walked around the town bumping into other cruise passengers along the way, occasionally stopping to chat with others we’d met on the cruise.
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| View of St. Michael’s Cathedral from the main road. |
As we wandered through the tiny town, my interest in visiting Sitka increased. The cozy small town feel, the handcrafted items in the shops, the playfulness of its residents whether the bus driver or shop owners, all play a significant role in making Sitka a desirable location for visitors.
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| Alternate view of the church. |
We’re totally convinced that the “flavor” of Alaska is hardly perceived on a cruise. Yes, its’ a decent way to catch a few of the highlights but it’s hardly the perfect medium to fully embrace the vastness and beauty of this magical place.
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| Shops in the center of Sitka. |
Hopefully, someday when the time comes to explore North America, Alaska will be on our itinerary if we’re able to find affordable vacation homes in a few different areas or, as our friends Chere and Gary did a few years back, rent a motorhome/caravan and explore on our own.
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| A pretty scene from the shoreline in Sitka. |
Today is a sea day. We’re comfortably situated in Cafe al Bacio on deck five in perfect seats for viewing the upcoming Egg Drop Contest, whereby ambitious passengers make contraptions from which they can competitively drop raw eggs from upper decks to the atrium floor on deck three. It’s a silly but fun event we always find humorous to watch.
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| View of the bay in Sitka. |
With no breakfast this morning, we’ll head to lunch after the Egg Drop Contest, the Captain’s Club happy hour from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, dinner in the Epernay Dining Room by 7:15 and later head to the 9:00 pm show in the Solstice Theatre. At 10:15 pm, we’ll stay up for the adult comedy show.
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| The dense fog in the forested hills. |
Between preparing today’s post, managing our many photos, chatting with passengers, my working out in the gym, the sea day and evening will be packed with plenty to keep us occupied and entertained.
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| Tom, by our ship. |
Tomorrow is packing day. In 48 hours, we’ll be disembarking the ship to grab a taxi to the Sea-Tac airport to fly to Minnesota. How the time has flown!
Be well. Be happy.
Photo from one year ago today, May 24, 2016:
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| A year ago we had the opportunity to meet Gede’s our house man’s gracious parents who live in Lovina, Bali where we went to extend our 30-day visas. For more details, please click here. |