Sitka

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Sitka

July 15

Disembarked according to plan and hopped on a shuttle van to downtown Sitka to check into our hotel. Our plane out of Sitka to Seattle and then Michigan was scheduled the following day, so we had a day to explore Sitka.

Upon getting to the hotel we left our luggage because it was too early for check-in and quickly grabbed a tour bus leaving from another hotel for the two items on our Sitka itinerary: “Fortress of the Bear” and the “Alaska Raptor Center”.  When in Sitka for just a day, these appear to be some of the usual quick, easy touristy things to do, but they are very interesting. The bus charges a flat fee for transportation to and between both places and then back to the hotel. We grabbed the 10:30 bus.

There were several people from our cruise on the bus as well who also had the one day in Sitka. First stop was “Fortress of the Bear”. This is basically a rescue center and refuge for orphaned brown and black bears. There were four brown bears and three black bears in a unique natural setting, and they were pretty darn close to us. There were also a couple of eagles hanging out close by in the trees. There are naturalists on-site who talk about the bears as the people observe from various vantage points along the perched viewing deck and walkways. It was a good take, even if we really only need about 30 minutes to be ready to move on. We then waited for the bus to pick us up to head to the more impressive Raptor Center about 10 minutes away.

The Alaska Raptor Center is similar in that it too is a rescue center and refuge for injured raptors like eagles, hawks, and owls. This place was less rustic and apparently has better funding than the Fortress of the Bear. The inside viewing area which consisted of two window lined very long rooms divided by the viewing area, and held dozens of injured eagles was quite impressive. The outdoor displays were equally impressive, with a boundary along the Tongass National forest for the birds to feel at home in. It was so natural that there were signs posted along the long walkway between some of the raptors to be aware of bears! These were some big birds here, and nicely presented.

 

 

 

We then got back on the bus to head back to Sitka to hopefully get into our room and get some lunch. It was around 1:00 p.m. but the room still wasn’t ready. So, we walked around Sitka and found a restaurant for lunch. Sitka is a cool, quaint town with lots of shops downtown, and a nice marina area. As with everywhere else we were in Alaska, Sitka isn’t fancy, but rather charming and colorful, rough around the edges kind of.

Em’s mom found us a very good restaurant right on the water, The Longliner Lodge Restaurant, though it was a much longer walk than any of us really wanted. But, it gave us a chance to see a part of town outside of the main downtown area. Very good food and service, and overlooking the water.

From there we walked back to town and did some touristy shopping and exploring, and then we were able to check into the Aspen Suites hotel. The four of us shared a room in this average but conveniently located hotel. Em’s mom and sister took naps while Em and I went out to explore the Sitka National Historic Park which was just 15 minutes away on foot.  The walk to the park along the water was itself a nice walk.  We observed the neighborhood homes and a nice playground along the water, a salmon processing building, and then the sidewalk evolved into a fantastic wood boardwalk through well shaded woods that was about a 1/4 mile long, and then it ended just where the park’s visitors center is located.  The main attraction here, besides the beautiful landscape of ocean on one side (Sitka Sound) and the Indian River on the other divided by lush rainforest, was the 1.5-mile Totem Trail and Russian Memorial loop. The Battle of Sitka was fought here between invading Russians and the indigenous Tlingit, and there is a memorial here. The gorgeous rainforest trail is dotted with many native-crafted totem poles as well (hence: “Totem Trail”).  It is an easy, graveled, flat hike that was perfect for the short time we had.

We got our last look at the devils club plant here as well…one thing we will not miss.

After the hike we met Em’s mom and sister at the Bayview Pub in downtown Sitka for dinner with a water view. This was typical brew pub fare with very good service and a second floor level view. Then off to the room to get ready for an early rise the next morning for our flights home…ending our Alaskan adventure!

July 16

We took a cab to the Sitka airport 10 minutes away at an ungodly early hour, and headed to Michigan to spend a few days at Em’s mom’s cabin on Lake Huron to unwind and celebrate mom’s 80^th birthday.