Sitka, Alaska
The copper domes and spires of St. Michael’s Cathedral add a touch of Russia to the skyline of Sitka, Alaska. Sitka served as colonial capital of Russian Alaska from 1808, when Alexander Baranov relocated the seat of government from Kodiak, until 1867, when the United States purchased Alaska. It remained the capital of the District of Alaska until 1906, when Juneau supplanted it. The Sea Bird docked in Sitka just after 7 am. Following breakfast we spent the morning touring the Raptor Rehabilitation Center, Sitka National Historical Park, and St. Michael’s Cathedral in the heart of Sitka. Promptly at 1 pm our ship set off again in search of new adventures. We made our way through the Sergius Narrows, where we passed our sister ship the Sea Lion, on our journey along Peril Strait. After David Stephens’ illustrated presentation “Native Art and Culture of the Northwest Coast,” we were treated to the sight of mother and calf humpback whales feeding just off our bow. Many clicking camera shutters were audible each time they surfaced. During dinner we continued our journey north toward Glacier Bay and its promise of a new day of discovery. The weather continued to be sunny, just as it has been every day since we left Seattle. It is difficult for many of us to believe stories of the heavy rains that are supposed to define southeast Alaska.
The copper domes and spires of St. Michael’s Cathedral add a touch of Russia to the skyline of Sitka, Alaska. Sitka served as colonial capital of Russian Alaska from 1808, when Alexander Baranov relocated the seat of government from Kodiak, until 1867, when the United States purchased Alaska. It remained the capital of the District of Alaska until 1906, when Juneau supplanted it. The Sea Bird docked in Sitka just after 7 am. Following breakfast we spent the morning touring the Raptor Rehabilitation Center, Sitka National Historical Park, and St. Michael’s Cathedral in the heart of Sitka. Promptly at 1 pm our ship set off again in search of new adventures. We made our way through the Sergius Narrows, where we passed our sister ship the Sea Lion, on our journey along Peril Strait. After David Stephens’ illustrated presentation “Native Art and Culture of the Northwest Coast,” we were treated to the sight of mother and calf humpback whales feeding just off our bow. Many clicking camera shutters were audible each time they surfaced. During dinner we continued our journey north toward Glacier Bay and its promise of a new day of discovery. The weather continued to be sunny, just as it has been every day since we left Seattle. It is difficult for many of us to believe stories of the heavy rains that are supposed to define southeast Alaska.
