Sitka Ak, Harbor Mountain, Mt. Edgecumbe and St. Larzaria Island.

SITKA, ALASKA

Sitka's location was originally the home of the Tlingit people as far back as 10,000 years ago.

We drove the road that was built by the US Military during WWII  to the top of Harbor Mountain, elevation 7,600ft. Over 30,000 military service men were stationed in the Sitka area  during WW II.   

The views are dramatic of Mt. Edgecumbe.

No matter which way you look you are surrounded by a labyrinth of waterways.

As we near the summit the trees take on a different look. 

From the summit we can see St. Lazaria Island from a meadow of wild flowers.

The trunks of the Evergreen trees are thick, the branches curved and trees are short. The foliage is dense due to the elevation. 

The coastline is full of rocks and small islets.  Navigation would be very challenging.

Eliason Harbor home to a large fishing fleet. Pleasure boats
are scattered throughout.

The water is so still that it reflects the bottom of this old wooden  boat.

Just before sunset there is a silvery cast on the water silhouetting
the bow of an old classic fish boat.

In the final moments the sky glows a brilliant orange.

June 24, 2013 - "Fortress of the Bear" Sitka

Each year, Sitka and communities throughout the State struggle with a productive solution to handling bears that have become urbanized. The research opportunities provided by the organization will create a comprehensive location where state and federal agents can work collaboratively to provide an effective alternative to the destruction of these animals. In order to accomplish this mission they have established a bear habitat.  They are utilizing 2 abandoned Clarifier Tanks which are 14 and 17 feet high and 3/4 of an acre each. The habitat allows for public viewing and an educational experience. "Fortress Of The Bear" is the largest private recyclers in Sitka, utilizing out-dated produce, dairy and bakery products from all the local markets. This allows the animals to be well fed with the waste then utilized in the compost. This saves the city and private businesses more than $10,000 yearly in waste disposal

June 15, 2009: A pair of orphaned brown bear cubs captured two years ago has settled into their new home at
 “Fortress of the Bear.”

June 24, 2013 - The twins have grown up!

Is he flexing his muscles for us???

Scary Bear!!!!!

"You talk'n to me ???

"I can balance this thing right in the middle of my tummy!" 

"I love this thing ! " 

"What can I do next ? "

"It is a beautiful day for a boat ride!" 

"Why ain't this thing mov'in ?

"I think I will just relax for awhile!"  

"Don't you think I am Beautiful! "  

The Brown bears of Southeast Alaska represent a distinct population, genetically dissimilar from any other bear. Research suggests these bears are remnants of a Polar bear population stranded in Southeast Alaska following the last ice age.

They have adapted to the rain forest environment and learned specific behaviors and marvelous survival skills. They successfully hunt everything from mountain goats to seals. Their ability to adapt sometimes brings them into conflict with their upright Human neighbors.  The goal is to seek a solution that is better than simply shooting them.  "Fortress of the Bear" is accomplishing this in a very successful way!

June 21, 2013 - Daniel Flys Home!

Thank You Daniel!

You have been our Captain, First Mate, Engineer, Navigator, Black Fly Exterminator, Comedian, Therapist, Driver, Carb Consultant, Companion, Son, and Friend.  You have taken us to places faster that we have ever gone before.  You have shown us kindness, generosity,  patience, discipline, perseverance, dedication and endurance. And even if you were not our son you would be our friend!

We are so grateful to Michelle and you for giving up your First Wedding Anniversary to join us on this adventure!  Looking forward to our next one! 

We Love You !

Mom and Pop

June 17, 2013 - Sitka

We arrived in Sitka tired from the long passage of 85 miles.  We contacted the Harbor Master but he was busy with the yacht "Cocktails" who had pulled in just before us.  We decided to just pull into an end tie but the Harbor Master called us back and assigned a slip much closer to town. We went ashore checked in with the Harbor Master. I rented a car over the phone,we walked downtown and had lunch.  Louie and Daniel had a beer at a local Pub while I took a cab to the airport to pick up a car at Avis.  I picked up the guys and we returned to the boat. We enjoyed our dinner of Fresh Halibut Stir Fry and Chocolate Mousse for dessert.

I noticed this sign when picking up our rental car at the Avis Rental Car Counter at the airport.
ONLY IN ALASKA!

 We had a great visit to the Sheldon Jackson Museum. It was established in 1895 and is Alaska's oldest museum. Collected from 1880 - 1900 it is the largest collection of Alaska Native artifacts in the state.           Absolutely fascinating!!!    

Emily Johnston (her Christian name) is a resident of the village of Yup'ik on Nunivak Island, in the Aleutian Island Chain AK.  Her art is made from shells, Sea Otter fur, and her baskets are made from the grasses  of Nunivak Island.

Emily's daughter is currently in University receiving her Master's Degree. Her Yup'ik Eskimo Art along with government grants helped put her daughter through school.

There are thousands of personal artifacts of the Native populations of the region.

Children's doll clothes made in the exact image of the adult clothing out of fish skin and seal gut.

Children's Boots made from seal skin.

Carved Ceremonial Serving Dishes

Women's shoes with beautiful intricate beading.

Ceremonial head dress representing the Raven.

St. Michaels the Archangel Russian Orthodox Cathedral originally built in 1844  by  Bishop Innocent Veniaminov. The original building burned to the ground in a devastating fire in 1966. This is an exact replica that was re-built that same year.

Bishop Innocent Veniaminov, born in 1797, translated scriptures into Tlingit and other Native languages and trained deacons to carry Russian Orthodoxy back to their Native villages therefore contributing greatly to their survival.

I find this Totem Pole very interesting. It represents the arrival of the white man with his Russian Orthodox religious doctrines. The pole figure has the doctrines in one hand and A GUN IN THE OTHER!

In the center of town there is a large covered building where fisherman can repair their nets.

We returned to Eliason Harbor in time for the sunset.

Mt. Edgecumbe glows in the evening light of sunset. This dormant volcano last erupted 8,000 years ago.

Everywhere we looked the view was bathed in pinks and purples.

In the last throws of sunset the sky was set on fire!

Another beautiful day in Sitka Alaska

June 17, 2013 - Fresh Halibut Stir Fry w/Brown Rice

During the passage to Sitka I prepared my "Fresh Halibut Stir Fry w/Brown Rice"

Start brown rice in organic vegetable broth, onions, garlic, parsly, salt and pepper.

Season with salt and pepper

Cut the Halibut into large chuncks.

Sear Halibut on high heat with onions and garlic and remove as not to over cook.

Ingredients: Onions, garlic, celery, mushrooms, snow peas, broccoli, green beans, toasted almonds, sesame oil, stir fry sauce.

Saute vegetables add Halibut

Add sauces

Add nuts and serve over rice.

Serve with Home made Chocolate and Bailey's Mousse topped with
Whipped Cream and  Homemade Chocolate Cookie Crumbles

Buon Appetit