Sitka is an interesting town. It’s the only town on our itinerary that actually faces the Gulf of Alaska. It’s a town, as we learned today, with a lot of history – from people hunting and fishing for at least 14,000 years to the Russian discovery of a rich abundance of sea otter (prized for the thickness of the fur on their pelts) to the cultural changes brought about by disease and missionaries that accompanied the influx of Russian fur hunters to the effects of the US purchase and settlement in the 19th and 20th century.
This was a tender port so we anchored in the bay and rode the tenders about 15 minutes each direction. Fortunately we were relatively close in so our tenders deposited us close to the center of town. The mega-ships had to anchor around the island to the north and be bussed into town.
Our day started with a bus tour of the town, such as it is. We drove by the Sitka National Historical Park (didn’t stop, but it’s an easy walk from downtown) and back to drop us off at the cultural center where we were treated to an interpretation of Sitka’s history in the form of dance.
After the performance we wandered thru town. We stopped at a bookstore, bought some Christmas presents for the grandsons, and enjoyed a pair of buskers who were entertaining the crowds.
Noon approaching we thought about lunch but by that time the town was overflowing with people all thinking the same thing. So we headed back to the tender port and settled in at the pool grill for a well deserved hamburger.
After lunch we returned to our room to “read” (nap) until the 4:30 port talk on tomorrow’s port – Skagway.
5:30
The 6:30 lecture by our Resident Historian was a look at the varoius indigenous peoples who have lived along the northwest coast for the last 20,000 years or so – in 45 minutes.
He didn’t make it. But it was a very high-level look at communities, cultures, religions, and recent archaeology.
William H. Seward was Secretary of State under Abraham Lincoln. He is responsible for negotiating the purchase of Alaska from Russia. Following the purchase he visited Alaska where he was treated to no less than three potlaches. Following his visit he returned to Washington and did not send gifts to those who had feted him. In his honor, and in recognition of that slight this shame pole was erected.
Following the lecture it was dinner time. Then we returned to our stateroom to recap the day and prepare for the morrow.
So that’s Thursday.
Cheers, R