Week 2 in Sitka

This week started off with the Memorial Day holiday, so I was lucky to have an extra day off to finish unpacking and finding my way around Sitka.   Since I am in a rain forest it rains a lot.  But I have learned that the weather here can change faster than it does in most places.    It can be raining hard one minute, sunny for the next half hour, then cloudy again.   Yesterday we had some really strong winds that made it feel quite chilly, even though the temperature was about 55.  I am learning to be an observer of the weather, and have already learned that you always wear a rain jacket here!

I explored the Sitka National Historic Park, which is about two blocks from my apartment, on Monday.  This park is on the site of an Tlingit indian fort used during the battle with the Russians in 1804.  The park is in the gorgeous rain forest.   There is a collection of Totem poles that were moved here to honor the Alaska Native heritage.   The Indian river, a salmon spawning river  runs along the border of the park. 

An authentic canoe is being carved in a workshop at the park.    I will walk here a lot!

I also experienced my first concert of the Sitka Summer Music Festival.   The quartet played  Beethoven Chamber music in a restaurant down the street.   I met three new friends when I told the hostess that I would like to have people join me at my table.  The place was packed, so I quickly had Albert, Jay and Arika join me.  We stayed and chatted for a long time after the concert was over. 

I enjoyed a yummy Alaskan style seafood salad!   The crab leg was a meal in itself!

More soon!   I am loving Sitka, enjoying my job, and so glad I had this opportunity.