Donald Trump has been president for 100 days. Around the country people are marching for “Climate, Jobs and Justice.” James Poulson from the Sentinel said this was part of the President’s “Make America Fit Again” campaign. About 100 Sitkans marched … Continue reading Make America Fit Again!
Eternal Father strong to save, who’s hand has bound the restless wave. Who bids the mighty ocean deep, its own appointed limits keep. Oh hear us when we cry to thee, for those in peril on the sea. The blessing … Continue reading Blessing of the Fleet, 2017
This is the second tranche of Earth Day, 2017 pics. The event is sponsored by the Sitka Conservation Society and the Sitka Sound Science Center. To look at the first tranche and read my commentary, please click here. Continue reading Earth Day, 2017, in Support of Science and Critters.
April 22 is Earth Day. In Sitka we celebrated early with our 16th annual parade of species sponsored by the Sitka Sound Science Center and the Sitka Conservation Society. I really love this event. People dress up as their favorite … Continue reading Earth Day 2017
I often wonder if people in the Southern Hemisphere view Easter differently than we north of the line. Easter is so tied into rebirth, renewal and resurrection. It comes naturally in the springtime. If the days were getting shorter, leaves … Continue reading Resurrection in the Food Web
Today’s walk was not energetic, it was contemplative. I walked through Sitka’s Orthodox Cemetery. A couple of months ago someone suggested that I walk through the Cemetery and post some pictures. I didn’t get around to it until I met … Continue reading Honoring Ancestors, Sitka’s Orthodox Cemetery
Sitka Celebrated Elizabeth Peratrovich Day with a parade and celebration at the ANB Founders’ Hall. Here are some pictures from the parade. To read the history of the holiday, scroll below the pics. February 16 is Elizabeth Peratrovich Day in Alaksa. … Continue reading Elizabeth Peratrovich Day, 2017
Today in Silver Bay dozens of whales were feeding, sometimes looking like synchronized swimmers, diving in tandem. The air was cold so their breaths hung in the air, crystallized mist shining in a bright sun. No matter where I moved … Continue reading The Whales are Marching Too
Here is tranche 2 of the pictures of today’s march in Sitka. Sitka is lookin’ good! Click here to look at tranche 1 of the photos. Continue reading Sitka in Solidarity, Tranche 2
I have not seen anything like it in Sitka. Estimates vary from a low of 500 to nearly 1,000 people marching respectfully. I saw people for all sorts of different causes from all walks of life, and many different persuasions. … Continue reading Sitka In Solidarity
Last night I popped my Jeep into 4 wheel drive for the first time in 33 months. I had begun to wonder if Sitka would ever see winter again. When you live in a rain forest the snow is a … Continue reading It’s beginning to look a lot like…ALASKA!
Sitka Whalefest has two wildlife cruises each year. This year we took both of them. According to Jan Straley there are 100 whales in Sitka Sound right now, bulking up for their 30 day swim to Hawaii and their mating … Continue reading Whales and Broken Clouds
For 20 years Sitka’s Whalefest has occupied our town during the first week on November. The festival is centered on a science symposium but integrates the performing arts, visual arts, education and outdoor adventure into a package that engages the … Continue reading 20th Sitka Whalefest.
Here is the second batch of photos from the 2016 Stardust Ball. It was a great event with Sitka putting on the Ritz and whimsy. Enjoy. Continue reading Stardust Ball, 2016, Photo Tranche 2
This year Raven Radio’s Stardust Ball returned to the newly renovated Centennial Building. This is the first batch of photos from he ball. Enjoy Continue reading Stardust Ball, 2016, Tranche 1
Alaska Airlines has several ilk runs, flights that hop from airport to airport. They often are numbered in the 60s and 70s. Flight 62 starts in. Fairbanks at 6 AM and arrives in Seattle at around 4:30 PM stopping at … Continue reading The Milk Run
We arrived in Skagway in time for its evacuation. Skagway has a year around population on 850 but in the summer the population is on the north side of 2000. Sometimes 10,000 visitors, tourists and crew, come off of up … Continue reading Skagway
The White Pass and Yukon Route (WP & YR) is billed as the Scenic Railway of the World. It’s a narrow gauge (3’) railroad that was built to carry gold stampeders from tidewater at Skagway to, first the White Pass … Continue reading White Pass & Yukon Route, STEAM !!!
The White Pass is billed as Scenic Railway of the World. I can imagine with the play of clouds as we climb the almost 3000 feet to the summit of White Pass each trip is different. With steam power the … Continue reading WP & YR Scenic Railway of the World.
The White Pass and Yukon Route used to run from Skagway, Alaska at tidewater to Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, 110 miles. Today it goes only as far as Carcross, YT. Most tourists only ride the train to the White Pass Summit. … Continue reading Beyond the White Pass Summit.
If you really want to understand Southeast Alaska you should travel on the ferry. The trip to from Sitka to Juneau is a 20 minute flight, by ferry it takes 9 hours. It gives you a sense of the country. … Continue reading Elderly Ferries
Lynn Canal is the deepest fjord in North America. It runs 90 miles from Juneau to Skagway and is from 3 to 12 miles wide. George Vancouver named it after his birthplace, King’s Lynn in England. It’s an extension of … Continue reading Lynn Canal
Chatham Strait, or Shee ya xhaak in the Tlingit language runs 150 miles from the southern tip of Baranof Island to Lynn Canal where it joins Icy Strait. Admiralty Island is on the East, Baranof and Chichagof Islands to the … Continue reading The Run Home, Chatham Strait to Peril Strait.
Spain may have its “Running of the Bulls” but in Sitka we have the “Running of the Boots.” I think this is safer. This year we celebrated the 22nd annual “running.” It started as celebration of the end of the … Continue reading Running of the Boots 2016