Sitka: Day 1

Breathtaking.

 I almost left this blog entry at that since that about sums it all up, but decided there are at least two (moms) who wouldn’t be very happy about it.

 The sun came up sometime around 9am this morning but we had a little unpacking to do so we didn’t get out into the day until around 11. As we walked out of our house and down the street to the closest marina, I turn around to look both ways before crossing the street (like a good girl). I was frozen in my tracks. When we arrived in Sitka yesterday it was already dark, though that’s not to say it was late. Behind our humble home nature refused to be forgotten. I looked around a little dazed by the glory of the snow covered mountains surrounding us. The fog still hung heavy since the sun wasn’t strong enough to dissipate it yet. I stuttered out something close to “wow” and started snapping pictures everywhere we went.

There is a school a block away from us and as we passed the kids were out at recess playing and squealing in delight. The weather was chilly and there was a slight drizzle but nothing was going to stop what appeared to be a very serious game of tag. In Arkansas there is no way the teachers would have taken us out side in this weather. But this was normal, the rain, the cold, and the view. Do these kids have any idea how amazingly fortunate they are to get to see and experience what they do every day? Does it even register in their 6/7 year old minds that not all of the world looks this spectacular?

We meandered down to the closest of the 4 marinas and I continued to click away on the camera. As we walked to the hospital Scott will be working in the unexpected happened—sunshine. The sun started peaking through thick grey clouds until it came to shine on our new little island.

 <---- Ps. This is the sun at "high noon"

To get from our house to the hospital we have to cross a bridge to the next island. To our left were smaller islands at home in the middle of the grey blue water. Some of the larger islands sported brightly colored houses only accessible by boat. And to our right was the second marina, probably the largest. We’re told that whales are seen frequently swimming up into the channel. I can’t wait! About half way between the bridge and the hospital we were visited by a couple of national guest… American Bald Eagles. They swooped gracefully from the bay up to the tops of evergreens to sit and watch for another meal. I tried my best to get a good picture but the trees here are pretty stinking tall.

We walked all over the city and more. The weather was beautiful and we even started getting hot after a while. Thermals+ wool+ weather smart coats= not good walking in the sun. But Mother Nature came to our rescue and half way home it started to down pour sleet. We braved the sudden cold and pushed on to our nook in the city.

Tonight we’ll be eating pizza and watching the Arkansas vs. Ohio State Sugar Bowl play off with the rest of the Razorback fans. Go Hogs! They have Alaskan support.

Until next time- love you all,

S/A