Sitka

Our stay in Sitka is nearing the end so will relate our time here. We arrived in the middle of the night so everything was new in the morning. We are staying at the Sitka Hotel which has a convienent resturant and bar downstairs. It is right downtown which is important when there is no car. Map in hand we began a walking tour of the town. At the center of downtown is the very old Russian Orthodox Church. It is very ornately decorated with many artifacts displayed. Displayed, but not labeled and no one relates the history for you and they charge. By contrast the Lutheran Church across the street is free, has a doicent and it is very simply decorated and is still in use. One of the Russian leaders was married to a Finnish women and she was instrumental in establishing the chirch. Because of fires it has been rebuilt a couple of times, but the little short pulpit is original.
The Tligint tribe occupied this land when the Russians came and took it over. There is a block house that sits on a hill that was armed for the purpose of keeping the Russians and the Indians from attacking each other. On Castle Hill that is behind the hotel and overlooking the bay is the site of the transfer of Alaska from Russia to the United States in 1867. The site became the first historical site in Alaska after Alaska became a state in 1959.
Today Sitka is a fishing community. The harbor is full of working boats. It is fun to watch the activity. Tourism swells the town as the cruise ships pilot their passengers from out on the bay where they are anchored. Don calls them the boat people--they probably wouldn't like that! The shops are a blend of Native works, Russian influence and Alaskan products. We appreciate the logos that represent made in Alaska so that you know you are getting something truly from here.
Yesterday we did a nature trail along the water through huge spruce trees. There are totem poles throughout. I much prefer the totems in among the trees than in town squares.