Ketchakian 9/17/08

Look really hard in one of these windows. Yes, there is purple power in Ketchakian.
Ketchakian is a long narrow town. It is holding on to the edge of the mountain without fallling into the ocean.


There is a hand dyer of yarns in Ketchakain. I looked for hand dyed/hand painted yarns from Alaska on the trip. And I found some. Some good names there too. Pink Carrot Creations is from here.


















Look for the tunnel under the mountain that the road goes through. The walking path didn't go through there. It was quite long walk into town from the state ferry dock. There were cruise ship docks right next to down town. Lots of shops. A lot of them like each other.

The Safeway here has a great view from their deli sitting area. We watched sea planes land and take off during our lunch.

St. Michael's of Sitka 9 /16/08

We got off the ferry in Sitka and spent a couple of hours there.

These are some of the icons in St Michael's Orthodox Cathederal. Sitka was a Russian town, hence the Russian Orthodox Church.

This Cathederal was rebuilt after a fire. Much of the interior was saved. It is a jewel.

Here are the Intrepid 4 as we get ready for boarding the MV Malaspina. She was the ferry that took us from Haines Alaska to Bellingham WA. The ferry sailed at 9:15 pm.













Earthie went into the car deck and stayed put.














We were able to move about. We shared a 4 berth cabin with sitting room. It was a lot smaller than it sounds.
Sorry no picts of the cabin, cafiteria or obsevation decks. What was I thinking?

There was a small movie viewing room. I saw 2 movies, The Bucket List and It happen in Vegas.

Did I saw that it ws cloudy and rainy most of the time. It was still beautiful. But how much better it would have been if it had been sunny.

Still by Haines 9/15/08

This is the Garden of Eden - North. Wow, what more can I say?













The stones along the side of the road are stacked up into Inukshuks. They are an Inuit (that's Eskimo, folks) creation. These piles of rocks show that some one has been here, wishes for a safe journey, and a happy welcome. And probably much more. I was fascinated that this land owner made so many of the at the edge of the road. there were perhaps 100 there. The Canadians are using the Inukshuk as a symbol for the 2010 Olympics in Vancover BC.










Paul, wishing that he could just stay here.

Bears! By Haines 9/15/08

We thought that this might be all the bears that we would see. Doesn't Paul look happy.












Fortunately, this grizzly came out to eat. We are by Haines AK.

I know that these are really good pictures. This is a great new use for a sunroof. Yours truly was half out the top with her camera. One problem, breasts. I got stock. But I think it was worth it. How many times do you have a chance to take pictures like these and to be this close to a grizzly bear?. I have more. Just ask me.



We saw a mother with 2 cubs later in the evening but the picts were stinky. But it was great.

More River Picts

Well folks, this is a fish wheel. The current moves the wheel and then it scoops up the fish and funnels them down into storage for harvesting. Quite ingenious.











Mom is looking at the fog and clouds. We have had mostly rain and clouds during the trip.



Yes I've been knititng but I have no new pictures.

More Open Spaces

Some more incrediable beautiful and open spaces.

















Fall in Alaska is colorful. Have you seen enough highway yet? Well I have seen a lot of it and it seem like it will go on forever.











The Chilkat River. Fast and strong. We saw Bald Eagles sitting ina tree on the other side. Just majestic. On an different note, Did you know that there is a Canadian citcom called, "Little Mosque on the Prairie?" I which that I was going to be around to see it. Sounds like fun.