Sitka, AK

Ferry trip to Sitka, AK

We embarked on another leg of our journey on Sunday morning 1:30 a.m. on the ferry from Petersburg to Sitka.   This time we got a cabin.   Not much on looks, but really nice for sleeping.   This was a 12 hour ferry ride.

Our lovely cabin.   Hey, at least we had a porthole to look out

View from the ferry going to Sitka

High speed ferry that blew past our ferry

After arriving in Sitka, we set up camp and began our exploration.   We started with the old Russian Cemetary that is located in town.   With the rich Russian heritage in town, there was so much to look at.   The cemetary was on a hill in town and actually still in use.

Russian Cemetary

Old grave marker in Russian Cemetary

Grave of Russian Princess

After the cemetary we got our own personal tour of the Bishop's Palace belonging to the Russian Orthodox Church.   The ranger, Jon Fish, was extremely knowledgeable about the history of Sitka, its people and the Church.  

Bishop Innocent's drawing room (where he learned about the fall of the Tzar)

Bishop Innocent's personal chapel

Sitka, located on Baranof Island, founded by the Russian Fur Company was originally inhabited by the Tlingits, the major tribe of the area.   It was originally called New Archangel when settled by the Russian-American Company in 1799.   The Russian Orthodox Church, lead by Bishop Innocent thrived and educated many the area.   Saint Michael's Russian Orthodox Church was consecrated as a cathedral in 1900.  Sitka was also the site of the ceremony in which the Russian's turned Alaska over to the United States as the 49th state in 1867.

Location of Alaska changing hands

Steeple of St Michael's Russian Orthodox Church

Icon within Church

Icon on book cover

The local Russian Orthodox Priest was present in the church as we took our tour and he was extremely cordial.  We thanked him for sharing his beautiful house of worship with us.

We of course did quite a bit of hiking while in Sitka.  The local bear population is made up of "grizzly bears" so needless to say we didn't want to run into any.   We did some whale watching, but didn't see any in the local waters around the island.

Local hike up to a waterfall

Thought I would sign a Beatle's song while hiking like they say to do

Hitting the hiking trails

Waterfall we hiked to, all uphill of course

Whale watching

The scenary around Sitka is stunning.   The mountains and riverways look like fiords.   Mount Edgecumbe, the local dormant volcano is spectacular in the distance.

View at the end of the road

Mount Edgecumbe - dormant volcano

Petersburg, AK

Exploring on Forest Service gravel road

Arrived in Petersburg, got set up in campground and of course started out exploring.   NOT.... got no rest on the ferry trip to Petersburg (9 hours), so we both crashed when we got settled.   I also did not feel too well, chills, fever, yuk, etc.  We might not have gotten the chance to really enjoy all Petersburg had to offer, but we did our best.



Parade

Did get chance to attend the Little Norway Festival, which was extremely interesting.   Had a parade, "Pickled Herring Band", Norwegian items (food and crafts), and herring tossing contest.   Thought this would be like "how far can you toss a herring", but no...it was more like an old fashion egg/balloon toss.  Where partners faced off and tossed the herring farther and farther between the two.  

Local band

Oh yes, and local VIKINGS

Viking boat in parade with local kids

Overall the Little Norway Festival was a fun experience.  Wish I could  have sampled some of the local foods, but stomach would not allow that.  David did get to try some local food though and enjoyed it.

During the festival, local Coast Guard station personnel were giving tours of the Coast Guard vessels and also giving demonstrations of search and rescue techniques.

Open water search and rescue

After the festival, we did some more exploring of Mitkof Island.   Local fishing fleet is prime source of income on the island and the locals have been fishing here for generations.   They fish for salmon, halibut, black cod and also harvest dungeness crabs.  There are longliners, seiners, trollers, gillnetters and crabbers (all different kinds of boats that go out).  Locals are glad to explain the differences.


One of three harbors in Petersburg

Second Harbor

We drove all the way to the end of the road on the island.  A total of 32 miles from one end to the other.  We also drove local Forest Service roads (gravel - some mud).  We went rockhounding looking for local garnets, with not much luck.   Did find some very tiny ones, but nothing too exciting.   When we got off this road, the truck was a mess.

Rockhounding in quarry

LaConte Glacier

The LaConte Glacier is one of the most studied glaciers in Alaska.   Students from a high school come out yearly and take measurements of its retreat.   They have been doing this for 27 years.

Forest Service road

Snow still present along Forest Service road

Fish ladder allowing salmon upstream to spawn



David at bottom of fish ladder area

Of course we also went looking for the local wildlife. 

Common Merganser

Bald Eagle right at dock

Going for a fish or shrimp

Too beautiful to leave out

Our first bear (black bear) right along gravel road

After Petersburg, we once again got on the Alaskan Ferry and headed for Sitka.   Got to Sitka Sunday around 1:30 p.m. after a 12+ hour trip.   Got a cabin this time and it was sooooo much nicer.   A place to lay down and actually sleep.   Got on the ferry at 1:30 a.m. so needless to say sleep was what we wanted to do.   After a good nights sleep, we starting our sightseeing.   Ferry often got really close to shore.  Went through an area called the narrows. We saw 2 whales (one I actually saw the tail come up out of the water --way cool).  We also saw 3 brown bears along a shoreline.   Will be in Sitka until this Friday when we head for Juneau.  Will try and get Sitka blog done before we leave here.  Until later....keep in touch.   Miss you all, but still having great time.  

Ketchikan, AK

We departed Prince Rupert, BC at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday May 12th.   We had to be at the ferry terminal at 4:30 a.m. prior to leaving, so that was a short night's rest.   Boarding the ferry wasn't too hard, not near as many questions to anwer leaving BC as coming into it.   The ferry ride lasted about 6 hours.  

Getting ready to board

All set on the "car" deck

 Most of the trip was smooth sailing, except for a short period of time when we were in open water with the Pacific Ocean on one side.   It got RATHER rough then.   Tossing side to side was not particularly fun.   Had to hang on just to be able to walk around.  

Doesn't really show the rough waves, but did toss a little

 Met some very interesting people traveling on the ferry.  One man was a local from Ketchikan and gave us all kinds of tips on where to go eat, what to see and what to avoid (due to the cruise ships being in town).  He was extremely helpful.  The views from on board were gorgeous, but no whales were spotted (darn).   We will see whales!! I just know it.







Waves crashing on shoreline

Snow capped mountains viewed from ferry

Ketchikan in the rain as we came into port

After our ride on the ferry, it was time to land in Ketchikan.  Of course, it was raining and cold at the time we came into port so we couldn't see too much of the town yet from the ferry.

After setting up the trailer (in the rain) and trying to warm up we did little exploring.   On Sunday the Sun came out and has been out ever since.   The locals are rather excited with the weather right now.   I'm just glad that it decided to be sunny for our time here in Ketchikan.  Beautiful city.  Did some of the tourist things, explored downtown Ketchikan along with 3,000 people off the cruise ships.   One local guy wanted to FLY us out to Misty Fiords National Monument for only $400.  Said that they would circle the plane around so we could get a really good look.  Ok, most of you know what I think about flying, so that was a great big NO WAY. 

Reconstructed mining town on river

After exploring downtown we did some hiking out in the local rainforest with beautiful waterfalls and green, green forests. 


View right out the back of our trailer



One of many hiking trails

Hiked all the way around Ward's Lake (2.5 miles)

After hiking we went to the local Native Cultural Center to view the Totem Poles that are so famous here.  The Totem Poles are really spectacular and something to see.   Can't imagine all the work that went into creating them. 

Native Cultural Center



The Totem's all have meaning to the different Native Clans here in Alaska.   There are Clans such as the Eagle Clan, Raven Clan, Beaver Clan, etc.   The Totem's are a record of the history of a Clan, the chief of the Clan or even a burial memorial to someone in the Clan.



View from the drive along the shoreline in Ketchikan

Waterfall just off the main highway

Of course we also saw a variety of local wildlife.  Still no bears, moose or other large mammals.

Stellar Jay

Cute little Red Squirrel

Bald Eagle

We leave this evening on the ferry to Petersburg, AK.   We have to be at the ferry landing around 10:30 p.m. and depart at 12:30 a.m.   This will be a long ride of about 9 hours.   At least we had more time in Ketchikan than those traveling on the cruise ships.   While I know that's a wonderful way to go (have done some cruising) I'm so glad that we had more time to explore this wonderful city.

Cruise ship heading north