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
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
Last Night Suzi, Dave and I went out to look at the Aurora. At midnight we called it a night. I had just gotten home and before going to bed my Aurora Watch app told me that there would be … Continue reading Magnetic Storm!
One of my autumn rituals is to go up Harbor Mountain to see how the fall is progressing at higher altitudes. It seems like fall is a little late on the mountain top this year. But the berries are fine. … Continue reading Fall is late this year on Harbor Mountain.
Living in Alaska, with my window by the sea, I mark the turning of the seasons. I never let a solstice or equinox pass without some observation, a bonfire or some other ritual. But seasons turn on their own times, … Continue reading Summer to Fall.
From mid-February until early May I have been watching master carver Tommy Joseph create a house pole that will be part of the museum at the Department of Interior’s headquarters in Washington. The pole took shape at Tommy’s skilled hands … Continue reading A House Post for Washington.
An essay on returning to Sitka: When I first moved to Sitka relatives and friends, especially relatives, would ask “when are you coming back to civilization.” Back more than 35 years ago you could forgive them for asking that question. … Continue reading …coming back to civilization.
Since January I have been watching Steve Brown build a Tlingit ocean going dugout canoe out of a single red cedar log at Sitka National Historical Park. Steve has been working with “apprentices” Tommy Joseph, T.J. Young, Jerrod Galanin and … Continue reading Log Rolling in Pursuit of an Oceangoing Canoe
It’s Sitka’s annual “Parade of Species” so it must be Earth Day. Sponsored by the Sitka Conservation Society with help from Old Harbor Books, the Sitka Sound Science Center and the National Park Service kids (and adults) dress as their … Continue reading Earth Day 2016, the Parade of Species
Sunday, April 11, Sitka and the Southeast Alaska Women in Fisheries held their blessing of the fleet at the Crescent Harbor shelter. It’s one of those community gatherings that, in a way, define our seafaring town. First some sea songs, … Continue reading Blessing of the Fleet, 2016
This year we didn’t make it to any of the European Christmas Markets, but Sitka has a fine Artisans’ Market in Allen Hall on the Sitka Fine Arts Campus. Sponsored by the Greater Sitka Arts Council it is a great … Continue reading Sitka Christmas Artisans’ Market, 2015
I saw my chance and took it. During a day of windy snow squalls I saw a break of sun and blue skies. By the time I got on my sweater, boots, gloves and ear band and got to the … Continue reading Winter Arrives Before Fall Finishes its Work
If I lived in a big city I would not know about Bone Eating Zombie Snot Worms, but I live in Sitka so I do. This weekend Sitka celebrated its annual Whale Fest. It combines art, poetry, and music; whale … Continue reading Bone Eating Zombie Snot Worms