Sitka is beautiful – and small! But it’s one of the larger towns in this part of Alaska and was once the capital of Russian Alaska. I enjoyed a walking tour that included St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox church – onion domes and icons. The church burned down some years ago but the townspeople rallied to save most of the icons and church treasures by making a human chain and passing things out to safety. The church was rebuilt in the same design.
The indigenous Tlingit people are a major part of the people and culture of Sitka. 
The Sitka National Historical Park is home to quite a number of totem poles and sits in the Tongrass National Forest. We enjoyed a hike through this temperate rain forest while hearing about the various plants and animals (fortunately, we only heard about bears, didn’t see any). Off the the Alaska Raptor Center for a fascinating presentation on the eagles, hawks and owls these vets and volunteers rehabilitate and hopefully release back into the wild. The birds were beautiful and seeing bald eagles and kestrels up close was amazing.
This excursion was followed by some spa time – and dinner. Don’t worry, we are not starving on this ship. Tomorrow will be Icy Strait Point and hopefully some whales.
journeys 