Sitka, Alaska

Today was adventure day in Sitka. We started around 9:30 by catching the bus right outside our door. It was quick and efficient and we enjoyed our bus driver who started up a conversation with us. He was very nice and helped us understand the bus system here in Sitka.

We shopped all around the town and ventured into several historic sites and buildings. We visited the Russian Cemetery which is all overgrown and shabby. It is still used for burials and it looks terrible. I hope they are just behind in their spring cleaning and plan to keep it in better condition. We also visited Princess Maksoutoff's grave. Her husband was the last Russian Governor of Alaska. There is still a great deal of Russian influence here and many Russian people stayed here after Alaska was purchased by the Americans. So their way of life, religious heritage, and culture continue to thrive here today along with the Tlingit natives as well.

We visitied St. Michael's Cathedral which is a Russian Orthodox church and very ornate and beautiful inside as most Russian Orthodox churches are. We also visited the Russian Bishop's House which is a large two-story home built for the Bishop and used and a residence, chapel, school, etc., during the time the Bishop resided there.

We did a lot of walking around the town. It was quite interesting and we even stopped and visited with some residents who were out working on their flower beds. We particularly enjoy this type of interaction with locals because they are very proud of their town and we were enjoying our visit here.

We ate lunch at Subway. I broke a rule about eating the same stuff I get back home, but with cruise ships in town, it seems most of the local restaurants push their "fried" foods and sandwiches which are quick and easy. Being gluten free, I don't eat fried stuff and no sandwiches. What I would really like would be some grilled fish, but nobody seemed to have that. So we went to Subway and then later we stopped at an old-fashioned soda fountain and had root beer floats and milkshakes. Very good.

It was a great day out and about and it wasn't too crowded with just one ship in town. Tomorrow we will take in the Raptor Rehabilitation Center and the bear fortress, a rehab facility also. So we will be taking MinnieMee with us as those places are out of town.

Till next time. . .

Dale