Hey everyone, long time no chat. We haven't been to good about keeping up the blog the last couple of months. Sorry! You know how it goes, sometimes life just gets in the way. Anyway, on Memorial weekend Robbie and I headed over to Sitka, Alaska on the fast ferry for a couple of days. We left here on Saturday morning around 8am, and got into Sitka about noon-thirty. The fast ferry M/V Fairweather was a wonderful way to travel. It's amazing all the country that Robbie has been to in Southeast Alaska. Everywhere we turned he was saying oh remember when I told you about this story or that story, it was here or there. He was able to point out a lot of the landmarks and that was nice. I'm even a little envious that he's seen so much! I was able to spot three brown bears on the shoreline on the way over, and on the way back I saw a sow and cub as well. There was rumor to of been some porpoises off the bow of the boat, and a few humpbacks were spotted as well. I couldn't of asked for a more relaxing way to get there.
Once we arrived we drove to the Sheldon Jackson Museum, http://www.museums.state.ak.us/sheldon_jackson/sjhome.html and enjoyed some of the history and art work of the indigenous people of Alaska. We later walked along the Totem Pole Park trail http://www.nps.gov/sitk/historyculture/totem-poles.htm. It was a short walk, but none the less great to check out some of the different types of totem poles and understand their significance a little better. We ate lunch at a burger joint and then went to meet up with a new friend Robbie made while working on the Sitka Ranger boat, Terry. Terry and his wife Mary where very welcoming and they and their daughter Greta had us over for dinner and allowed us to stay the night at their home. They have a wonderful view from their house of Mt. Edgecumbe http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Edgecumbe_(Alaska) and the ocean. Did I forget to mention the weather was absolutely gorgeous while we were on the trip too? Well it was, maybe in the low 60's and sunshine.
On Sunday Terry took Robbie and I out fishing on his boat. He showed us few new tricks as well. Thanks Terry! It's always good to have a few tricks up your sleeve. We brought up quite a few halibut, two king salmon, a flounder and a rat fish. I know, what the heck is a rat fish, I've attached a bad picture to the blog or you can click on this link to see a better example, http://www.goatview.com/ratfish.jpg. All in all it seemed to be a productive fishing day. Terry put us to shame with his magnificent fishing abilities.
Oh yeah I almost forgot to tell you, after six long years I finally saw my first humpbacks breaching. It was awesome. At first it looked like a cow and a calf were playing around and slapping their flukes on the water and then a few moments later out of the water they shot. It was so cool to see. I wish I could of gotten some photos or video footage, but I wasn't able to stare at one point to long, as the water was a little rough and my tummy wasn't to happy. Sitka is out on the open ocean http://www.accommodations-alaska.com/Southeast_Alaska_Map.jpg, not as well protected like Juneau with small islands that Keep the waters a little calmer.
That evening Robbie and I went to a wonderful dinner at the Channel Club and had the best smoked prime rib steaks I think we have ever eaten in Alaska and possibly the best steak I've had. We spent our second night at the Forest Service Starrigavan Campground. I had to get to spend one night in a tent. It's been such a long time since I've been camping. Robbie probably could of done without, as he camps for work out in the field all the time. We had a fire too! Forgot the smores though, Waaa! There were a couple of short trails at the campground and we went for evening walk on one and an early morning walk on the other.
We didn't take as many pictures as we should have, but they are down below with the other albums if you want to take a look.
