** ALASKA - 2002**
** CALL AT SITKA **
This page prepared on 21 June 04
17 May 02 (Friday)
I had a cosy night's sleep, with the gentle rolling of the bed's axis, and my own bedside
light 'on' from 3.15am to 6am (taking my toilet visit during this period!). Altogether, it was
all very CALM and PLEASANT. From 6am, I put further lights ON and prepared for
today's action - it'll be Sitka today!
Having had a good breakfast in the HARBOUR GRILL on the Promenade Deck, I then surveyed
"what was going on" with their 'Tenders' and other 'access arrangements'. I really had to make decision
on which to use for the 'Sitka Trip'. Eventually, I got a 'C' ticket, which got me onto the 3rd of the
Big Tenders (taking 50 people each).
It was about 2 miles each way to the shore from the UNIVERSE EXPLORER (our ship). Once there,
some raucous BALD EAGLES made themselves very CLEAR to us. In Sitka itself, I briefly saw many
of the Pre-American properties (as it was RUSSIA who once owned quite a bit of Alaska - especially
Sitka!)
In the early 1800s, then the Tlinjits (Indians) and the Russians fought over ownership of both LAND and
TRADE. Eventually, the Tlinjits abandonned the place and moved NORTH. The FUR TRADE was built up
by the RUSSIANS before selling ALASKA to the USA - and then they concentrated on a sawmill and fishing!
GOLD-bearing QUARTZ was found in the vicinity around 1871. I'll follow the GOLD TRAILS tomorrow
from SKAGWAY!! Today, I just photod their TOTEM pole and VOLCANO.
Like Russia, I found the over-abundance of churches rather disturbing! SITKA is full of G-shops - to me,
even more distasteful; the GIFT shops and GOD shops!! Like yesterday in KETCHIKAN, there was no sign
of an ice-cream shop either. A Lutheran church gave me two clues, though, (and a better map!) including the
fact that the "LANE 7 SNACK BAR", when it opens at 10.00am, could be useful.
The "Lane7" was a friendly little place - and provided me with my first decent icecream in Alaska. (It was part
of a 'Bowling Alley'.) I praised them for their facilities - and had a nice sit-down and studied the Lutheran
church's map - which cost $1.58.
I had a chat withn the guy who served me, and he told me that the VOLCANO (with its beautifully-shaped
cone) that I'd seen was MOUNT EDGECUMBE. He also said that it'd been inactive in his LIFETIME and
also in his mother's lifetime and his GRANDMOTHERS's lifetime!! (Curious, this reference to ONLY the
female side of his family?! Maybe, it tells me something of the culture of these peoples).
I then returned to the TENDER DOCK for my journey back to the UNIVERSE EXPLORER. (Only about five of
us were to return there THIS early!) I was back there in time for the LUNCH-BUFFET (at 11.30am) which
was in the HARBOUR GRILL. This was quite a good meal despite the 'messy' BLACK-PEA soup!!
Then it was 'back to Cabin 819' for useful and interesting TV programmes produced for the DISCOVERY Channel,
which 'our' company uses as appropriate - and today they were the:
1.30pm KLONDIKE FEVER documentary and
the
3.00pm SOAPY SMITH, SKAGWAY and the WHITE PASS information.
Our boat, the UNIVERSE EXPLORER, has been 'dwarfed' by some MAMMOTH DUTCH SHIPS, - the
STATENDAM and the ???***DAM ( "too many DAM ships" quipped one of our girls!). Our boat began to move OUT of
SITKA and get enroute to SKAGWAY at about 3.50pm, with our 'open snack' in the HARBOUR GRILL
opening exactly at 4.00pm. I took a few 'goodies' and had two decafinated coffee drinks, before making my way
to the NAVIGATOR'S LOUNGE on the 'Observation Deck' where I enjoyed a chat with ISLA about the
countryside, Scotland, Oban etc, etc.. Then it was back to my own cabin for further note-making.
As I was writing these notes, an envelope notifying me of the KLONDIKE (at $48) trip was delivered. Within
minutes, I'd decided to try for the replacement of the $29 trip to the KLONDIKE. This worked OK, and I was
back in my cabin - and the change had been recorded by 17.48hrs.
Later, a slow chocolate drink was taken, whilst watching the mountain scenery pass by EVEN slower. I rewatched
the "KLONDIKE FEVER" documentary on my TV in the cabin - AFTER watching "GOODTIME GIRLS OF THE
GOLDRUSH". Following these two, I went for my evening meal, seated next to ISLA for our continued chats!
Next, it was time to visit BRIE KELLY for her 'voice' (jazz, - not Country) and her piano playing (with her occasional
wrong notes).
This took me up to bed-time! Goodnight all!!
(...... To be continued in the Skagway and Klondike Chapter...)
EMail to:
Roy's Location.
Return to 2002's Index-page
return to Malvern-Vancouver leg of journey
or return to Ketchikan
return to ALASKA Index Page
or return to Roy's home page for full
list of books/travelogues either finished or under preparation.