Sitka - Sunshine and Sadness

Playing catch up.  Tuesday we were in Sitka, Alaska.  But before we get there, we had a beautiful, sunny sail away from Ketchikan the evening before.

We sailed by Ketchikan's Refuge Cove where I had hiked the day before. The tide was high so the coast line was much different.

In the morning in Sitka, we had massages.  It turned into a nice, sunny day and we took the tender into town and walked in search of crab for lunch.  We wound up at the Red Herring food truck and had snow crab sandwiches.

I visited the cathedral which had a Russian Orthodox motif.

I somehow felt compelled to have an Alaskan Amber so we stopped at a bar.  They did have chowder but, once again, it was made with bacon.  So just a beer!

Prior to sailing away from Sitka, we watched sea lions at a distance in the harbor.

At dinner that night we saw several whale spouts.  That morning, I had seen a couple of flukes.  I believe that the humpbacks may have started their southbound migration.  We also had views of Mount Edgecumbe and a nice sunset.

And now for the sadness.  When we returned to our suite, Linda received a message that our dear friend Mary Guzzetta had passed away.  Mary had been suffering with much pain and a diagnosis of stage 4 lung cancer recently.  So the end came quickly which may have been a blessing.  Mary was probably the most avid reader of my blog.  Whenever I posted an entry, Linda and I would know that generally within 15 minutes I would get an email from Mary with compliments and questions.  She will be missed in many ways.  Mary was always praying for anyone who might have been suffering.  So, however you pray and whoever you pray to, I'll ask to say a prayer for Mary.  May she find peace in heaven.

We've now completed our last 2 ports before returning to Vancouver - Haines and Wrangell.  We'll have a day at sea tomorrow so hopefully I'll be able to publish another post.

Peace and blessings,

Linda and Larry