September 30th

I had spent the night at Ronda's house and she drove me to the airport around 4:45 a.m. We said our goodbyes and promised to keep in touch with one another. Before I knew it I was up in the sky. For only a minutes or so Sitka lay below me light up, beautiful and then it disappeared in the clouds as if it never existed. The plane ride to Juneau was dark, rainy and short. There in Juneau I waited for my connecting flight to Seattle until 12:45. I finished my book Gifts of an Eagle, tried to sleep on the hard floor and decided to organized my pictures on my laptop. For a few hours I was the only person in the airport. The lights went off a few times as if no one knew I was even there.

The ride to Seattle was enjoyable as I had arranged to have the widow seat. Arriving at the Seattle Air Port was another adventure in itself. Along with my backpack and pull behind suitcase I also had to somehow pick up my very large wheel less duffel bag. I was only a short distance away from the shuttle pick up so decided to find a cart. Then I discovered that carts cost $4.00 and you had to rent them using your credit card. I dragged that 50lb bag through the airport down an escalator and outside to the shuttle stop. From there I took a van to the Green Tortoise Hostel. What a difference from the hostel in Juneau! The beds were nice, there were lockers bellow them, private bathrooms and a free breakfast! It didn't take long for me to check in and then head out to explore my surroundings. The hostel was directly across the street from Pike Place Market. I couldn't have asked for a better location, right in the middle of everything.


-Flight from Juneau to Seattle.




-Pike Place Market.

September 29th

Last day of everything. I was ready to stop talking with tourists now. Questions of why birds missing wings couldn't fly were becoming very redundant and I was tired of being asked what it was like growing up in Sitka. I wouldn't miss that. Even the last stage presentation wasn't emotional for me. What got to me was saying goodbye to the birds. Putting Pele and Killy away for the last time and the biggest heart breaker of all was taking Katie for the last walk through the muskeg. I know that I'll be coming back to Sitka in the future but how much time will pass between visits is uncertain. Katie has lived beyond her wild age expectancy and is a very old bird that for whatever reason took a liking to me. I hope she lives long enough for me to see her again. I guarantee you that when I become a falconer the Kestrel will be my bird of choice.

I said my farewells to Reece who was a great friend. There aren't many people one feels that they can truly open up to, Reece was one of those friends. I'll miss you Reece, good luck with your career. Solve that complicated math problem of yours and accomplish great things with your knowledge. Your amazing and be proud to say that you graduated from Harvard.

September 28th

I knew this was the last night I would be able to watch the sunset. I sat out on the big rock just beyond the Salmon hatchery watching the tide come in. I was lucky to have such a clear night to watch the sun fade away behind Mt. Edgecumbe. The air was chilly and you could feel fall rolling in full force. It was bittersweet knowing I would be leaving Sitka soon. The light here was become shorter every day. I believe little Zack had told me that Sitka losses 4 or so minutes of light every night since summer solstice. I believe it, it was darker earlier everyday and the sun stayed asleep longer in the mornings too. The rain felt colder and the wind grew more fierce as time passed.

I'm so glad I stayed until the end of the season. If I were to have gone home in the middle of summer it would have been very had to leave the beautiful cool weather and face the hot sticky summer of Wisconsin. I wouldn't have felt fulfilled and would have wished I was back in Alaska. But my body was craving sunshine and the thought of coming home during fall, my favorite season was exciting. In away I was ready to head home, see the colors change on the leaves, feel the warm sun on my face and be with the one I love. Nothing beats the Midwest fall of Wisconsin and there is no better place to come home to.

September 27th

Murder mystery night! Previous to this party everyone who attended scowered the White Elephant for the perfect costume to match their game character. Adam was so into this game that he practically picked out everyone's outfit as we were shopping. He did a good job with the wardrobe as we all looked great that night.


-Mt Edgecombe, view from Adams house.

We ate some awesome food while acting our rolls with the end goal of trying to decide who killed the character from the story. All through the game clues are given, letters are read and arguments are started between characters. No one knows who did this dreadful deed until the very end of the game when it is reviled. We all guess who done it then read our cards to see what really happened the night of the murder. I can't remember anymore if anyone guessed the murderer right, I didn't anyways. To be honest I was having such a great time feasting on the fresh shrimp and wine that my mind often wondered away from the game.


-Reece, the rich American.


-Adam and I were Archaeologists. He was my mentor when I was firt learning the trade.


-The whole cast of characters.

September 25th

Who are all these tacky people? Tonight is the tacky tourist party. All the tourist company's and shop owners in town gathered at the Raptor Center for this event. People dress like the best, or I mean wort dressed tourist they saw this season. We all shared our most interesting tourist questions and acted out the best stories on the stage.


-Richard and Kirstan.


-Adam.


-Reece.


-Acting out a tourist story skit. Sarah Palin even made a appearance.




-Ronda and me.


-Jenna.

Tons of food, drinks and fun happening until a fight broke loses among two natives. An argument started between a guy and a girl, her fist flew and gave the guy a bloody nose. Before I knew it everyone was yelling at each other and getting into each others business. Soon the cops arrived and that's when Ronda, Reece and I decide it was a good time to go. I don't think the Raptor Center will be hosting this party ever again. There's was to much work and preparation involved for this event to have it end in such a terrible way.

September 20th

Charlemagne's release day! Everyone gathered to return this bald eagle back to where he belonged, the wild. Charlemagne had been flown into the center on Alaska Airlines from I believe Ketchikan. He had a halibut fishing hook caught in his wing mussel which had also ripped a hole in the poor birds flesh. It was once thought that this bird would never fly again because of complications with that bad wing. Charlemagne proved us all wrong, healed and regained his ability of flight in our bald eagle flight training center. Today was his big day as visitors flocked to the center for his release. The head of Alaska Airlines was given the prod honor or releasing the bird. We are very appreciative of Alaska Air as they reimburse the Center for all of the birds flown in to Sitka.

Once Vickie removed Charlemagne's hood he was off, over the trees and disappeared into the distance. Everyone watched in amazement, gasping from the birds power and majesty. A few tears were shed from those who were deeply touched by the sight.


-Don't you just love that purple laddie. You can tell she is so touched by the event.


-Charlemagne the Eagle, Vickie the Vet and the head of Alaska Airlines.

September 19th

Today would be the last day I would bike to the end of the island. I was headed to the Teobroma Chocolate factory to pick up a few bars for Erik's birthday. The clouds were out and the temperature got chilly when the rain showers kicked in. I was lucky and avoided the showers until my ride back. When the heavy rain picked up I made a detour to Whale Park were I sat and read the book Gifts of an Eagle that I had borrowed from the Raptor Center.

After the rain had seized I headed home once again. I had to stop when viewing a house covered in seagulls. After taking a few shots a lady pulled up in a car beside me. She asked in a sassy way, “Can I help you.” I replied, “just talking pictures of the gulls.” She laughed sarcastically and replied, “I guess that's ok” and sped off down the road obviously obset. If she didn't want me taking pictures she should have just said so.