We just found that if you click on a picture we have posted that you can enlarge it and see things better. We have had an interesting day today. We went into town early as we had been sent on a quest by a friend of ours to find him a local Alaskan made mask. We found a few at the Fairweather Gallery yesterday where we bought one for ourselves. We sent him pictures of some last night and as he called and asked us to purchase one for him and one for a friend and we wanted to go to the store early and buy it before it got sold. We had purchased a few things there yesterday and have gotten friendly with Allyssa who works there. Her boyfriend is retired and goes fishing everyday. Garry has taken lessons from me and whined a bit and asked her whether he might be able to go out with Greg fishing tomorrow. She told us she would check with Greg and to get back with her later.
So off we went to see a dance troupe present some Russian folk dances. They were very good and had several costume changes. No men because when they were first formed in 1969 the men were more interested in manly pursuits such as hunting and fishing and wouldn't be caught dancing so the women also take the parts of the male dancers. Now that they have gotten so well known and travel to other areas in the lower 48 and other countries in the winter months they have had men express an interest but now the ladies tell them " No thanks" and leave the men home with the children when they travel to present performances. They had their chance! Garry took a video of the complete dance as he did yesterday at the Native dance. Garri is working to see if he can post them on the blog for you all to enjoy.
We then toured the Sheldon Jackson Museum. It is on the grounds of the college which has been closed. There was a wonderful display of all kinds of Tlingit and Haida Indian artifacts.
After lunch we visited the Russdian Bishops house. This is also a NPS historical site. It was interesting to see how it was constructed in relation to historic buildings on the East Coast. This had been constructed with massive beams and logs. All the interior walls were also made of wood planking. There was a large space between the ceiling of one level and the floor of the next which was filled with sand to provide insulation. It was a 2 story building as the bishops living quarters, including a chapel, were on the 2nd floor while classrooms were on the main level. We walked back into town to have some coffee at a wonderful small coffee shop we had found at the back of the bookstore. Not a Starbucks. They serve Raven brand coffee which is brewed in Anchorage. On the way back to the camper we stopped by the Fairweather Gallery to see Alyssa. She greeted us with the happy news that her friend Greg would be willing to take us out fishing tomorrow!! Garry is very excited. Greg used to be a fishing boat Captain and is very knowledgeable about fishing in the area. We are so hopeful that he can find a Salmon spot for Garry tomorrow. I am going to go along so that I can get a picture if/when Garry gets one and I hope to see more whales. Keep your fingers crossed for us tomorrow. We had decided to hike the Totem trail at the Sitka National Park trail which was a 2 mile hike. This was a pretty trail part of which went along the waterfront. It took us out to the site of the old fort where the Tlingit and the Russians had a battle in 1804. After 6 days of fighting the Tlingit stole away in the night and the Russian recalimed the fort.
We are now back at the library and are exhausted. We are finding that this is an easy town to walk. We park the camper in the morning and don't usually come back to ie except to get some lunch before we go off agian.
No comments:
Post a Comment