SITKA, a village of about 8000, and a cruise ship destination so much more prosperous than Petersburg. The ferry trip was again beautiful, 180 degrees of snow covered mountains. We saw whales and seals.
Sitka is on Barnof Island and was the location of the Russian American Fur Company in 1804 when Russia claimed all of the land as their territory. It is an interesting city because of its history and has 22 National Historic Sites. We were able to visit quite a few of these just taking the walking tour in town. We visited the Sitka National Historical Park where the battle of Sitka took place between the Tlingit tribe and the Russians, The Sitka Pioneers Home, built in 1934 for Alaska's elderly and Castle Hill which was originally the home of the Tlingit tribe, then taken over by the Russians who built a fort and the headquarters for the fur company, and then in 1867 the ceremony was held here to transfer the Alaska territories to the United States when it was purchased.
We have enjoyed the beautiful wild flowers and gardens throughout Alaska. The wet, cool weather makes the blooms last for a very long time. The roadsides are covered with Lupine, buttercups, red and yellow columbine, queen-ann's lace and poppies. The huge pink poppies are beautiful.
We toured St. Michael's Cathedral, Russian Orthodox and the Centerpiece of Sitka. It was built in 1844 under the direction of Bishop Innocent who had been a missionary in the Alaskan territory for years and had the church built to convert the Native People. It burned in 1966 but the people of Sitka rushed to the church and were able to save most of its artifacts, art and religious objects. The church was rebuilt in 1967. We also visited this large yellow home, built in 1842 and the oldest intact Russian building in Sitka. It was the home of the Bishop. Another amazing place we visited was the Sheldon Jackson Museum. We could have spent all day there. Jackson was a Presbyterian missionary who traveled all over Alaska working with the many tribes, he collected artifacts from the Athabascan, Haida, Aleut, Inupiq and Tlingit tribes. The museum was built in 1895 to house the collection. June is when Sitka's Music Festival takes place and we went to a wonderful concert. We were able to get reservations at the famous Ludvig's Bistro and had the fabulous Alaskan Paella. Also, this is a shopper's haven, I have bought lots of Christmas presents, so relatives, be forewarned. Headed to Juneau today.
SITKA, a village of about 8000, and a cruise ship destination so much more prosperous than Petersburg. The ferry trip was again beautiful, 180 degrees of snow covered mountains. We saw whales and seals.
Sitka is on Barnof Island and was the location of the Russian American Fur Company in 1804 when Russia claimed all of the land as their territory. It is an interesting city because of its history and has 22 National Historic Sites. We were able to visit quite a few of these just taking the walking tour in town. We visited the Sitka National Historical Park where the battle of Sitka took place between the Tlingit tribe and the Russians, The Sitka Pioneers Home, built in 1934 for Alaska's elderly and Castle Hill which was originally the home of the Tlingit tribe, then taken over by the Russians who built a fort and the headquarters for the fur company, and then in 1867 the ceremony was held here to transfer the Alaska territories to the United States when it was purchased.
We have enjoyed the beautiful wild flowers and gardens throughout Alaska. The wet, cool weather makes the blooms last for a very long time. The roadsides are covered with Lupine, buttercups, red and yellow columbine, queen-ann's lace and poppies. The huge pink poppies are beautiful.
We toured St. Michael's Cathedral, Russian Orthodox and the Centerpiece of Sitka. It was built in 1844 under the direction of Bishop Innocent who had been a missionary in the Alaskan territory for years and had the church built to convert the Native People. It burned in 1966 but the people of Sitka rushed to the church and were able to save most of its artifacts, art and religious objects. The church was rebuilt in 1967. We also visited this large yellow home, built in 1842 and the oldest intact Russian building in Sitka. It was the home of the Bishop. Another amazing place we visited was the Sheldon Jackson Museum. We could have spent all day there. Jackson was a Presbyterian missionary who traveled all over Alaska working with the many tribes, he collected artifacts from the Athabascan, Haida, Aleut, Inupiq and Tlingit tribes. The museum was built in 1895 to house the collection. June is when Sitka's Music Festival takes place and we went to a wonderful concert. We were able to get reservations at the famous Ludvig's Bistro and had the fabulous Alaskan Paella. Also, this is a shopper's haven, I have bought lots of Christmas presents, so relatives, be forewarned. Headed to Juneau today.
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