Reconciliation Day
At 2 PM the Tlingit community held a Mourning and Reconciliation ceremony at the base of Noow Tlein, (Castle Hill) On the top of the hill was the “Reenactment” of the transfer with the Russian flag lowered and the US … Continue reading Reconciliation Day
Alaska Day Parade, 2019, Take Two.
The bagpipers have returned to Seattle, the beards and bonnets are judged, ball gowns are back on their hangers for another year and I am still digesting pie and donuts. I’m also getting around to sorting, processing and posting pics … Continue reading Alaska Day Parade, 2019, Take Two.
Alaska Day Parade, 2019
There is always food. On Problem Corner I promoted black cod tips at the Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association and the food booths and the hot dog stands opening, at 11 it was fish pie and fry bread at St. Michaels, … Continue reading Alaska Day Parade, 2019
Wailing at Whales
Sitka Historical Society 2019 Brew Cruise. It was weird, we were on an Allen Marine boat and the whales were playing all around us, and while some people took time to watch them most people were pre-occupied with beer, brats … Continue reading Wailing at Whales
These Boots Are Made for Running.
Sitka Sneakers! Here are some boot closeups from the 25th annual “Running of the Boots.” and a link to the main article. Continue reading These Boots Are Made for Running.
25th Annual Running of the Boots.
The last cruise ship, the Seaborne Sojourner, pulled out of old Sitka Docks this afternoon. The visitors were treated to rare late September sunshine. While a few straggling tourists will still come in on individual tours (and we are glad … Continue reading 25th Annual Running of the Boots.
We Will, We Will Rock You!
This blogpost started with a Facebook message from Joe Montagna. Joe is a musician and elementary school teacher who played the “Brian May” part in a Queen tribute organized by the Sitka Fine Arts Camp. I attended the Friday performance, … Continue reading We Will, We Will Rock You!
A Hole in the Wing.
In Sitka Eagles get free health care. The Alaska Raptor Rehabilitation Center cares for eagles and other birds who run afoul of humans, trees or each other. Each year the center takes in eagles. Some can be rehabilitated, some cannot … Continue reading A Hole in the Wing.
Earthquake? We Missed It, Too Busy Rocking the Dock.
Sitka knows how to play. Labor Day Weekend featured a classical concert, Jazz and Mud Ball, a softball tournament that is usually played in the mud, but not so much this year. But for us the highlight was a three-way … Continue reading Earthquake? We Missed It, Too Busy Rocking the Dock.
A Minor Magnetic Storm
The NOAA website predicted a “minor magnetic storm” for August 30 and 31. As the weekend progressed the predictions of magnetic activity became more intense and prolonged, into the first days of September. And the clincher, the weather in Sitka … Continue reading A Minor Magnetic Storm
Prince William Sound, and More, from Above.
On Friday night we flew out of Anchorage, up Knik Arm and crossed over the Chugach range and Prince William Sound, flying over some of the same glacier we saw a little over a week earlier on the 26 Glacier … Continue reading Prince William Sound, and More, from Above.
Prince William Sound at Sea Level
The 26 Glacier Cruise is a staple of tourism in Prince William Sound. Although now it is not 26 glaciers. Some have retreated to the point where an arm of land has split them so there are more than 26. … Continue reading Prince William Sound at Sea Level
Winnipeg Folk Festival, 2019
John Sebastian sounded old when he started singing and I was beginning to wonder if this would be one of those festival workshops that would make me sad, reminding me of my own diminished abilities. But his guitar was sure … Continue reading Winnipeg Folk Festival, 2019
And the Winner Is…
The Sitka Daily Sentinel. Sitka’s Daily Newspaper had a great float, right about in the middle of the parade, AND, after the Coast guard got the biggest applause of the parade. Congratulations Thad and Sandy. After the parade ended the … Continue reading And the Winner Is…
Twenty Two Minutes…
…That’s how long this year’s 4th of July parade lasted – 22 minutes. I know this because I watch the parade from just behind St. Michael’s Cathedral in the “press section.” We see the parade come at us head on … Continue reading Twenty Two Minutes…
Glorious Fourth!
When I lived abroad, I idealized our holidays. Thanksgiving was always more thankful looking at it from abroad than it was when I got home. The Fourth of July was the same way. I have always loved this holiday more … Continue reading Glorious Fourth!
Fireworks! July 3, 2019
When I was a kid the fireworks show started with a puff, then a thud, then you saw a burst in the sky. You waited 10 seconds and it happened again. Then again, until the finale when they fired off … Continue reading Fireworks! July 3, 2019
Water Fight!
After the fireworks on the 3rd, the parade, the food, the concerts comes the water fight. Traditionally the Sitka Fire Department takes on the Coast Guard. Fire trucks come from two different directions, meet in the middle and pass each … Continue reading Water Fight!
After 247 Years, Jefferson Still Lives!
Back in 1993 member of the committee drafting the Albanian Constitution asked me who was right in their view of government, Jefferson or Adams. I thought about an answer and told him this story. Later I was asked to tell … Continue reading After 247 Years, Jefferson Still Lives!
A Town Full of Chamber Music.
June is chamber music month in Sitka. The Sitka Summer Music Festival (SSMF) has been a feature of or town since 1974. Chamber music is everywhere, at Mean Queen Pizza, on the Sheldon Jackson Fine Arts Campus, in the Tribal … Continue reading A Town Full of Chamber Music.
Goodbye Old Friend
In which I say goodbye to a ship named Prinsendam – the second time around. I was new to Juneau, looking across Gastineau Channel from my home in North Douglas. A neat little cruise ship pulled into Juneau’s dock. It … Continue reading Goodbye Old Friend
2019 Norwegian Fjords Explorer, MS Prinsendam.
We had planned a longer cruise on Prinsendam in July-August 2019 but Holland America sold the ship and shifted the cruises to another ship. We loved the Prinsendam and wanted to sail her one more time so we canceled the … Continue reading 2019 Norwegian Fjords Explorer, MS Prinsendam.
2019 Celtic Explorer, MS Prinsendam.
The MS Prinsendam (Picture on top is Prinsendam in Skye Harbor) leaves Holland America Service on July 1, 2019. Before she left the fleet, we wanted to take one more cruise on her. We had planned to travel in July … Continue reading 2019 Celtic Explorer, MS Prinsendam.
Two Cruise Coda
“I’m not condemning cruise vacations.” Travel writer Rick Steves wrote in his book “Travel as a Political Act. “I’m simply saying that type of activity is not ‘travel’ it’s hedonism. (And I don’t say that in a judgmental way either. … Continue reading Two Cruise Coda