Highlights: arrive at the seaport of Sitka, the westernmost point of our journey. Fishing boats everywhere! Needed time to refuel, re-provision with groceries and water, general cleaning, internet connection to check in with family, blog, etc.
One last walk among the bear scat at Baby Bear Bay before heading out to Sitka...
Heading out of Baby Bear Bay: next destination the West Coast of Baranof Island and a major fishing center of Alaska: Sitka
Moxie underway, in her space under the dinette table...
Definitely time to pick up more water. Seaquel holds 50 gallons of fresh water, and we have learned to use this precious resource sparingly over the years. We drink the water (carry bottled water as back-up), and of course use for everyday tasks like cooking, cleaning, etc. But we typically sacrifice daily showers for washing our hair in the sink instead, and using body wipes for dry bathing.
On a 2-week trip in the Canadian Gulf Islands two years ago, we made do on a single tank of water for the entire two weeks! But on this trip, with both Nicole and Moxie, our water consumption is considerably higher and making do for one week is what we plan on.
Everything about Sitka is about fishing; the boats, the stores, the restaurants, etc. Staying on the dock we are surrounded by "working" fishing boats, constantly coming and going. It is interesting to observe the crews as they busily prepare the fleets for the next outing. We find most of the fisherman extremely social, friendly, and outgoing - and they are a wealth of local knowledge about the waterways we are exploring. Work seems to fluctuate between fast-paced and killing down-time forced upon them depending on fisheries season openings and closures. For periods, shooting the breeze replaces setting hooks and nets...
There are a number of marinas in Sitka, but Eliason Harbor where we are moored (below) is huge. It is a 30 minute round-trip walk from our outer-most mooring location just to the end of the dock!
Big boats, small boats, new boats, old boats, and peculiar floating things that are desperately trying to become a boat. You see it all here. Below: some of the impressive larger fishing vessels...
This older fishing tug looks like the inspiration for Seaquel's design as a Ranger Tug R27 "Classic"...
For my three amazing daughters: Sarah, Nicole, and Emily!
Sitka looks to be a stronghold for Seattle Seahawks football fans!
Downtown Sitka...
Our timing to hit Alaskan towns on the weekends has been fortunate as we have been able to attend mass in Petersburg, and now at Saint Gregory in Sitka. Saint Gregory's church does not have the charm of Saint Catherine of Sienna in Petersburg; but from inside there are views to the boats and mountains beyond.
Sitka is home to St. Michael's Cathedral, the Russian Orthodox cathedral is an exact replica of the original that was destroyed by fire in 1966. This was the earliest Orthodox cathedral in the New World, originally built in the 19th century when Alaska was under the control of Russia.
Nicole helping out with the grocery shopping in Sitka, happy to lend a hand (and wheels)…
The "bones" of yet another fishing boat that met its demise at the hands of the uncaring sea...
And another...
As we get closer to Sitka, in addition to seeing more shipwrecks, we see many more fishing boats...
An eagle stands guard to the entry of Eliason Marina in Sitka. Eagles, like fishing boats, are everywhere!
Getting fuel in Sitka prior to finding our moorage slip...
Fishing boats and mountains, that's Sitka!
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