Sitka, Alaska: June 1-2

After a long journey from Arkansas, I spent the night of June 1st at the Sitka Hotel, situated nearly right on the waterfront of Sitka.  I woke up June 2nd to views of mountains and sea, ready to go explore.  Sitka is only accessible by boat or plane, yet it draws visitors from across the world.  It has a long history of Russian influence, and I started the day at the Russian Bishop's House in Sitka National Historic Park, after checking in with Lindblad at the Sitka Historic Society.  I arrived so early to the Russian Bishop's House that I was the only one on the tour, which allowed me to ask the guide all my history questions.  I learned that one of the reasons Russians came to Alaska was for sea otter pelts (which they called "soft gold"), eventually making their way to Sitka.  Bishop Innocent was the first to live in the Russian Bishop's House, which was built in the 1840s using Sitka spruce trees and no nails. His house still stands, as does the consecrated Russian Orthodox chapel inside. The Russians of course were not the first people in Alaska, and in Sitka I learned more about the Tlingit, the indigenous people of the area now called Sitka. 

I walked all over Lincoln Street to pick up souvenirs, stopping at stores selling everything from Alaskan salt to salmon jerky. The centerpiece of Lincoln Street is St. Michael the Archangel Orthodox Cathedral; no pictures are allowed inside, but it is incredible. My next steps up to Castle Hill, at Baranof Castle Historic Site, provided gorgeous views of the sea and mountains. It was here at Castle Hill that Alaska was transferred from Russia to the United States. After this, lunch included fresh salmon. 

The afternoon was spent at the Alaska Raptor Center, with up-close looks at bald eagles, golden eagles, falcons, and owls. The center rehabilitates raptors and sends them back into the wild.  Alaska is home to 100,000 bald eagles, thanks to efforts to save them.  Bald eagles have been taken off the endangered species list, showing the power of people coming together to save animals facing extinction. I learned that female raptors are bigger than males; in the wild bald eagles can live into their late 20s; under human care they can live into their 50s. I also learned peregrine falcons can travel at speeds of 245 mph!  My favorite at the Alaska Raptor Center was a tiny little owl that we all adored.

Next we went to see more of the Sitka National Historic Site; it was the location of the 1804 Battle of Sitka between Russian fur traders and the Tlingit. The Totem Trail here has totem poles set amongst the temperate rain forest, situated in the trees next to the coast. Rebecca and I went to the beach, taking photos of the rocks, barnacles, shells, mussels, and seaweed. Sitka receives almost 100 inches of rain each year and stays between 35 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, providing the perfect climate for the temperate rainforest we visited.

Our bus tour took us by Silver Bay; stories differ on whether the name comes from the silver ore present here, or from the silver shine of the sun on the bay.  While Sitka is home to nearly 10,000 people, our guide explained that the cost of living is high in Sitka (which is on Baranof Island), as they must ship in nearly all their goods. Commercial fishing is the largest part of their economy, and home prices can be very expensive.

We made our way to where National Geographic Quest was docked and saw our first in-person view of the ship.  The ship holds approximately 100 guests, so we have already gotten to know many of our fellow guests.  Everyone has been so kind and welcoming.  And, Rebecca and I took pictures with our bios/portraits at the ship's entrance.  We are both so proud to be Grosvenor Teacher Fellows, and Sitka was a great start to our journey.