We went for 2 beautiful drives, One went the 35 mile length of the island along the shore. Another went inland and up on ridges for about 8 miles. While on the later, we hiked the 3 lakes trail loop – about 4 miles in length. The next day, Kim and Milly paddled across the Sumner Straight to an island right in front of our campsite. It was a tough paddle! The pictures show how scenic Petersburg area really is!
Kayak Paddle pictures on Sumner Straight, includes shot of porpoise that Kim got.
We had a fairly long ferry trip to Sitka of 13 hours. We left at about 11:30 AM on 6/15 and arrived in Sitka at 1:30 am on 6/16. We had a cabin so we could relax. We stopped in Kake, AK for an hour. The islands around Kake were beautiful. As we approached the Sitka area, the ferry traversed narrow passageways between islands that had the captain using red and green lights to changes course. It was foggy and misty which added to the drama.
When we got to Sitka, Fred had to back up the camper again a considerable distance on the car deck. He was aided by the deck crew who directed him on his wheel movements. When we got to National Forrest campground, the gate said it was locked. We parked and setup in a parking lot for the night. When we went to the campground in the morning, we were told that they knew we were coming and had left the gates shut but unlocked.
It was rainy on the ferry to Sitka and it has been somewhat rainy and chilly since we got here. The sun comes out and then disappears. We are told that the weather changes fairly rapidly here.
We had problems shutting our camper door during setup that occupied Fred’s attention for several hours. Once Fred decided to finish setting up, the door shut – the problem went away. We hope that it was just a leveling issue.
Sitka is a very beautiful place. The views of other islands are seen from most positions on island.
There are far more tourists here than in Wrangell and Petersburg. There always seem to be 2 or 3 cruise ships in harbor with shuttle boats running back and forth.
The weather so far has limited our activity to short hikes and visits to attractions and museums. We were fortunate to experience very good weather on inside passage so far. This wet and damp weather is more typical of the area.
Our campsite at Starrigavan Creek National Recreation area was outstanding. We were located right next to a creek that was running with a noticeable, quiet, peacefull roar. We were told that two brown bear families were currently in the area.
The estuary meadows trail to one side of campground was closed because the brown bear and her 2 year old cubs were occupying the estuary area and the risk of the bears using the boarded trail was high if they were disturbed. We were able to observe the these bears feeding in the meadows several times. We were too far away for good pictures. We also saw deer in the estuary.
The other bear family lives on other side of the campground. We have not seen or heard them so far.
It is interesting. When going out after dark ( after midnight and before 4 am), you are conscious of not straying , you make noise and carry a flashlight. You realize that these bears are there, not just maybe.
We also have hiked some very interesting trails right from our campsite – mosquito cove trail. We didn’t encounter any bugs.
Pictures around our campground.
We visited Fortress of the Bears that houses rescued bear cubs and the Alaskan Raptor Center that treats injured Eagles. The Q & A with the bear manager and the Raptor handlers was very interesting.
The Russian Bishops house tour was excellent. It is a National Park run place so we all got in free with Fred’s Senior Pass for National Parks instead of $4 per person fee. Senior pass also gives you half price in national park campgrounds and free admittance to parks.
Other Tidbits:
WIFI in Sitka is available for a price. A lot of companies offer WEB sites with daily, weekly and monthly fees to connect. Some work on many stops on inside passage. It is somewhat confusing as to what will work for you. Some are run with codes available for x minutes of access when you purchase something. Each morning, I head at 7 am to to a coffee house, get a coffee and 90 minutes of access time.
We had a campfire the first full Sitka night we were here. It was difficult to keep going since the wood we purchased from the camp host seemed green. Due to weather, we decided after dinner to watch a DVD Movie the next two nights. We are in a no frills campground but we are able to run generator since no one is around us.
Tommorrow is our last full day in Sitka. We have a 16 hour ferry ride to Juneau after that and no cabins are available on the ferry! They moved us from fast ferry when it needed repairs.
In the morning, Milly and Fred ventured into the Sitka harbor near both the Alaskan Ferry Dock and the campground. This is about 5 miles from town. We paddled along the coast into more isolated coves and points. After about 2 hours we returned and went up the estuary meadow area near our campsite where we had seen the brown bears the previous 2 days. There were no signs of bears but, as we went up the estuary, Milly remarked that the bears can swim!
In the afternoon, we went to the Sitka Laundry to take showers. Then, we visited the Sitka National Historical Park. This is a must see for all visitors to Sitka. The “museum” section was well done with exhibits of native history and totems. The nature walk through the 1804 Russian Tlingit battleground area was very beautifully done.
In the evening, we went to the Sitka Music Festival. It was great. We saw and listened to 3 groups of outstanding musicians play various offerings of chamber music.
Tomorrow morning, we hope to see the local Russian dancers perform before we take our ferry to Juneau at 2 PM. Its is going to be a 16 hour trip getting to Juneau at 6:30 am. We get to stop at 3 other inside passage towns on the way. We had planned on taking the fast ferry. It is in dry dock being repared. Now, we are going on the milk run. It will probably be very interesting to see Angoon, Tenekee Springs and Hoonah on way to Juneau. ( If we can stay awake)
The Ferry from Sitka to Juneau made stops at Angoon, Tenekee Springs and Hoonah. We left Sitka about 2 PM and arrived in Juneau at 6:30 AM. We go to Angoon at 7 pm, Tenekee Springs at 10:30 PM and Hoonah at 3:30 am.
Fred and Kim got off at Tenekee Springs. There are no cars there. Many of the homes are on stilts. The homes are close together along the “roadway” on both sides of the ferry dock. We saw a main store, post office and an “open” library. The library had no doors on it. We understand that there are really nice homes further up the roadway. Many second homes are Juneau people who come here for the fishing and to get away. It was a very quaint place with “street lighting” lining the coast.
Fred had to back onto the Ferry and had to reposition the rig at Angoon.
We brought our “bedding” up to the observation lounge so that we could sleep.
We arrived in Juneau at 6:30 AM on Sunday morning. Our campsite was at Spruce Meadows RV park about 4 miles from ferry. We had made reservations and were able to setup as soon as we arrived. We all took showers and found out that there was a 1:30 PM Mass at St Teresa’s Shrine.
Fred’s Uncle, Fr. Ron Dunfey, often celebrated Mass at the Shrine Chapel when he was assigned to Juneau. The only Bishop that Fr. Ron got along with, Bishop Michael Kenny, is buried under the chapel alter. We had met Bishop Kenny when he and Fr. Ron had travelled to Worcester in early 1990’s for my Aunt’s funeral, Sr. Annuciata Dunfey. Fred had visited this shrine to pay my respects to Bishop Kenny while in Fairbanks and Juneau for Fr Ron’s Funeral in April. 1996.
St Teresa Shrine is located about 20 miles outside of Juneau on a small island. It is a very beautiful, serene place that is visited by people of all faiths.
