July 5th

The warm weather continues. Went to Beaver Lake for the first time today with Reece, Amy, Steve, Skyler, Casey and Luke. It’s a good 45 min. hike up to Beaver Lake but you are highly rewarded once you get there. This is were I truly felt Sitka’s splendor in all it’s glory. I couldn't have been happier here just simply laying in the sun out by the lake. I even got a little crazy and jumped into the water from the oar boat a few times. That water sure was cold but none the less felt refreshing! The hike back down was equally as amazing with the sun blazing over the mountains. The area around Beaver Lake is one of my favorite places here, if not the favorite.


-Amy, Casey, Luke and I on Beaver Lake in the oar boat. Photo by Steve Abbott.


-View on the hike back. Breathtaking.

Later that night Meg came knocking on my door concerned that a man had been mugged and was unconscious at S.J.'s front entrance. Without a moment to loose I replied, “hold on, I’ll grab my camera.” The guys stuff was thrown everywhere and at first I thought he was dead. We couldn’t make him move by talking or nudging him so Reece called 911. Turns out he was just really drunk. He put on a good show with the cops though. In a drunk rage he stumbled around, yelled and ranted about how the cops have nothing else better to do. As a result of his actions the cops handcuffed the man and he was placed in the cop car. Me and Reece watched from the side as he tried to kick out the car windows. Memories.

July 4th

Yay, the 4th of July parade! I swear the whole town was gathered on the streets. Latter I realized why, this had to be the most fun parade I have ever attended. All of the floats were custom homemade and random. I believe the Raptor Center crew was the liveliest bunch there. We had a blast laughing and crying out to the floats for candy.


-Lincoln Street facing St. Michael's Cathedral.


-Dartanian was there too!




-The Coast Guard flying overhead. This was so cool!




-This float is my very favorite!






-Sporting the traditional native dress.


-Attractive fireman?


-Dachshund in a bun.


-A snow machine.


-Amy looking clueless by our bag full of Candy.

After the parade a bunch of us hiked up to the falls. Steve was crazy and jumped into the ice cold mountain river water. He said it had to be the coldest he has ever been in his life.


-After the hike. Me, Amy, Sam, Meg, Lindsey, Steve, Reece, Tex and Ruffles.

July 3rd

The 4th of July festivities are upon us. Sitka starts out the celebration by setting up what the whole town refers to as “The Booths”. This small carnival is where the town come to eat fried bread, salmon kabobs, drink smoothies, play games and test their luck at the dunk tank. There weren’t any ferris wheels or rides here just homemade ring tosses and random games.


-Meg feasting on an indian taco.


-Skyler slurps a smoothie.

Before heading off to get a spot for the fireworks, we loaded up on food and grabbed a small charcoal grill from Adam. We decided Totem Square would be a great spot to set up camp. The fireworks here are set off on the 3rd of July because the time it gets completely dark it’s already the 4th. It seemed like we were visited by just about everyone we new in town. This included a guy who is volunteering at the Raptor Center from the Coast Guard, his name slips me at the moment. He is the one that showed us the fine game of finger fencing. In this game you and your opponent lock one hand and point your pointer finger at the other. Then you try to touch your opponent with your pointer finger before they do. Your not suppose to use your opposite hand but we all cheated on that rule a few times here and there. We were making quite a ruckus and a small crowed had began to gather around the finger fighters wondering what on earth we were doing. At one point Zach and Steve got really into it and stripped down to just their pants. It was absolutely historical!


-On the lawn at Totem Square.


-Totem Square's Totem.


-Zack and Steve Finger Fencing!


Across the way the Raven Radio station was having a live music event on their front porch area. The sounds of guitars and banjos could be heard from Totem Square. It was an breathtaking night. The sun was setting on one side of us while a huge full moon was already high in the sky on the opposite side.


-Fireworks over the harbor.


-Downtown Sitka from Castle Hill.

July 2nd

It's both Ronda and Lacie’s birthday! Debbie bought a really yummy cake and individual Haagen-Dazs ice cream for everyone. Latter Steve, Amy, Reece and I meet Kristan and Lacie at Kelly’s spots bar for a few drinks, some pool and ping-pong.


-Lacie and Ronda.


-Gitf for Ronda. (she loves chiwawas)

June 30th

Zach was a hysterical today. He found a pair of old glasses in the lost and found and decided to wear them during his stage presentations. He looked just like a high school professor from the 70’s. I don’t know how he kept so serious during his stage performance. I was cracking up in the back just watching him while taking photos like a poperotsy.

June 28th

Visited the Artesian well today. I have biked passed it once before but decided that today was the day to stop and taste it’s purity. This well constantly runs and has no pump. People from all over Sitka come to fill bottles and jugs with it’s crisp and cool water. Sitka’s tap water is so clean it’s hard to believe that people would drive out from town to Mosquito Cove for the Artesian’s well water. I’m not an expert on water or anything but it sure did tast good! I think this well is magical.

June 27th

Little Zack and I won tickets to Jazz on the Waterfront yesterday at work. It was also movie/dinner night at Ronda’s apartment so I was particularly busy today. I ate some great home cooked Mexican food and Coca Cola cake while watching Monsters Ink. at Rondas. Latter I was dropped off at the Jazz event stuffed to the brim with food. I soon realized they were serving gourmet appetizers, I couldn’t let all that good stuff go to waste! I felt pukie-full at this time so I stopped eating.

The music was real good. I’m not huge into watching Jazz though, reminds me of playing in the high school band. I was surprised to find out that the lead saxophone player helped compose the score for Spider-Man 3 and Pirates of the Caribbean movies. Zack ended up leaving halfway though the show with his girlfriend, so there I sat alone. When the two people on both sides of me realized they new each other it became awkward. They acted like I wasn’t between them and began to talk through me. At that point I decide that it would be more fun to be hanging out with the gang at Ronda’s apartment. So I was picked up and enjoyed the rest of my night watching corny movies.


-Little Zack with event ticket.


-Jazz on the Waterfront.