The DSLR Saga

When I first took this job in Sitka back in mid-April, my goal was to buy a DSLR camera with my second paycheck. My savings had dwindled to a frightening level after 3 months of winter travel. But I had my mind set on purchasing my first professional quality camera after having fallen so deeply in love with photography from my last job in Nome. It was like learning to paint with oils, and then moving away and only having crayons to use.

Well, my second paycheck came. Then my third. Then my fourth. Unexpected expenses arose, student loans nagged to be paid, the cost of living out here was more than I anticipated. I realized I couldn't just spare an entire paycheck to throw to my frivolous dream of owning a nice camera. So I got a second job.

Picturing Sitka

It's been a long 3 weeks. We had something like 6 inches of rain in one weekend and it rained almost nonstop for 2 weeks straight. And I hate to think that something as simple as the weather can affect my mood, but I have to be completely honest and admit that that much rain definitely put a damper on my attitude for a while. That's part of the reason I haven't felt like blogging, but I am so far behind I thought I would throw these pictures up anyhow from our last sunny day, whenever that was.

The sea walk, with Mt. Verstovia in the distance

Living Alaska

I forgot how much I love late summer in Alaska. There is so much to do; the scenery is ever-changing; salmon are schooling at the mouth of the river; and the rainforest has exploded with a buffet of wild edibles. Salmonberries, blueberries, and huckleberries weigh down the bushes and color the landscape with dots of blue, red, orange, and yellow.

Playing catch-up... again

It rains all the time here now. I always heard that it rains a lot in Sitka, but for real: IT RAINS A LOT IN SITKA. Like, every day, all day. I seriously need to get some rain gear, because I've pretty much spent the last few days wearing pants ranging from annoyingly-damp to outright-soaked. And that's just from everyday activities, like walking out of my house. It's becoming a problem.

With that rant aside, I have come to love the rain, despite my lack of proper attire. I continue to take every opportunity to explore Sitka's many trails and islands and waterways, taking lots of videos and a few photos. The videos you'll see at the end of the summer; the latest photos you can enjoy below:

Herring Cove bridge

My previous favorite trail (Indian River) has now been bumped down to second-favorite after I hiked the Herring Cove/Beaver Lake trail the other day. This one is a bit shorter, and offers incredible views of some of the biggest waterfalls I have ever seen! It goes through a huge variety of ecosystems as well, from Dr. Seuss-like muskegs to riparian habitats, to old growth rainforest.

250 foot waterfall

I still can't believe I live here.

On a rare sunny day last weekend, I hit the Cross Trail early in the morning for a short solo hike before the weather turned. I took my time, enjoying the ripening salmonberries and blueberries, taking photos and GoPro videos, and just feeling completely in the moment, letting my thoughts wander wherever they'd go.

Not quite ripe salmonberries

Delicious blueberries!

The sunset-watchers

By evening, the clouds and rain were back, but regardless, a small group of us decided to defy the odds of the weather and drive up to Harbor Mountain to watch the sunset. Well, the weather was not to be defied, so our sunset-watching just turned into a lot of cloud-watching. It was fun anyway, and I got a cool cloud timelapse that you will also see later this summer.

Sunset...

Last weekend was also, of course, 4th of July, a huge event for Sitka and the national park. There was a local food fair for 3 days with vendors selling fry bread, meat kabobs, Indian tacos, Philipino food, and Alaskan King Crab cakes. We played historical children's games on the lawn of the Russian Bishop's House, which attracted a small crowd. And a Russian tea service was offered as well, where we baked over 300 Russian tea cakes and shared strongly spiced Russian tea with visitors. It was actually super fun -- I wish we did events like that more often!

Our anachronistic park service family

The parade was pretty entertaining as well. Decked out in 19th century garb, we joined the ranks of Sitkans gathered for the festivities. I've never seen so many people here before! Where did they all come from?? 

Marching in the parade downtown

During the parade, I mounted my GoPro to the top of our electric park vehicle (lovingly dubbed "The Bubble Car," because it feels like you're riding in a bubble). I wasn't sure how it would turn out, but the result was surprisingly fun, and gives you a mini-tour of the main street through downtown. 

I think I'll conclude today's post here for now. There are still so many stories to tell, but those will have to wait for another day. Enjoy the video, and check back soon for more updates!

Puffins.

Puffins. Need I say more?

My boss certainly didn't have to, when I received a text from him one Saturday morning in May, not long after I had woken up late and just enjoyed a leisurely breakfast, staring absent-mindedly out the window.

The surprise text informed me that there was a free birding cruise for local nature guides, leaving in exactly 15 minutes.

Stuffing my binoculars and camera in my bag, I jogged down to Crescent Harbor. These cruises are usually upwards of $90, so knowing that it was not only full of ornithology experts, but also prime nesting season for seabirds on St. Lazaria, made it a no-brainer to at least try to make it before the boat took off.

We Are Mountain Women!

"In case we get eaten by a bear, we went out hiking the Indian River Trail. Left at noon, should be back no later than 7. We have bear spray and a small amount of food."

It's Saturday, and my roommate Christina and I leave this note, along with our phone numbers, on the whiteboard in the kitchen as we head out to hike the Indian River Trail. I've gotten in the habit of leaving these notes whenever I go hiking, partially in good humor, partially in all seriousness.

changes

I've been through a lot of changes lately, all for the better I think. I was talking to someone about change yesterday and remembered something Mom always used to tell me: "Change is the only thing you can rely on." In effect, it's the one constant in life -- ironically, since the word itself suggests anything but consistency. But at long last, whether things are going well not, you can count on them to change.

My new digs