Beating Cabin Fever?

Spring has sprung it seems in Sitka, the "Jewel of the Pacific." Herring season is upon us with wonderful weather to boot. I don't know what to expect during this fish run, but large boats are appearing, workers are landing in town, the birds are descending upon us like crazy with sea lions and humpbacks beginning to play and feed. Why? For a $12 million herring fish run. A projected 19,400 tons of fish will make people good money. It becomes a spectator event when you can pull off the road and watch the boats work close to the island and the wildlife feast on the bounty too. A lot of this has been told to us in preparation, as we're not in full swing yet. The weather and start of activity did get us out'n about, exploring and acting borderline "tourist."We first got out last Saturday when we stayed overnight at our friends' family's cabin. What a getaway and great time with them--complete with a hot sauna! Their boat was the only means of getting to the cabin.This Saturday we enjoyed relatively calm winds and mid-40 temps. Sitka Channel was filled with boats and herring test sets, the harbors were busy thoroughfares...or a like a ghost town at some skiff slips. Clearly a day to get out and enjoy your thing.Big nets for big fish loads for big pay-outs on the Jamboree, from Kodiak.

Looking forward to living up our first herring season, with a buzz I can sorta liken to the anticipation of Nome's Iditarod and winter racing month. The prelude so far is promising--and the perfect weather doesn't hurt!

*Amy

Sights of Sitka

Here are some images (courtesy of Andy) from that sunny weather spell we enjoyed. Despite autumn's arrival, Southeast remains all green, of course. Not much color change around here! Since fall is my favorite season this goes against my nature, but I'm not complaining.

This is one of my new, favorite trails. It's pretty easy, starts off with a lovely waterfall and the trailhead is just a few minutes down the road from us. Welcome to Heart Lake!

Then there's Herring Cove trail to Beaver Lake. Andy really likes this one because the plant life is so interesting and you're right in the thick of those big Sitka Spruce trees. It's also green.Then there's the maritime activity out our front door. The RAV4 gets company from not one but TWO cruise-ships one day!And then the sun must set at sometime, to be covered and hidden by clouds and rain. While that sun shone for those weeks we enjoyed all the spectacular sunsets we could. Here's the volcano, Mt. Edecumbe, from our deck.It's pretty nifty around Baranof Island.

*Amy

Change of Scenery

...and the scenery was GOOD. The other weekend we had 3 days off for an Alaskan holiday. Even people who live Up North need to "get away from it all." We haven't fulfilled a life goal of owning a cabin yet, so thankfully in AK there are many Public Use options. I snagged one northwest of Wasilla and we headed for the mighty Matanuska Glacier. The Glacier is AK's largest, one you can pay to access and walk on, and it starts one of the Mat-Su Valley's defining features: the Matanuska River. That old, wise ice sits in an awesome valley and our little log cabin had an exclusive view. As far as public use cabins go--bringing your own firewood and water--this place is RAD (yes, RAD).

I wanted to keep it for myself, but in the spirit of sharing it's on a State Rec site at mile 101 of the Glenn Hwy. Call the Long Rifle Lodge to reserve.

Wasilla was getting dirty, brown and warm at the time we drove off. Weather at our little cabin was warm, sunny and full of powder. We went exploring and spied an Arctic hare and all its little tracks. The only other wildlife we caught was a flying eagle.

For the rest of our getaway we just enjoyed the fire Andy maintained, music off my iPhone, hours worth of playing Mexican Train dominoes, and some fancy cheeses and sausages, wine and champagne. Yum!

Then the moon visited us and we enjoyed its glow from inside where we were warm and full.

It's good to get away every once in awhile. And I discovered that glacier gazing while brushing your teeth outside is pretty awesome too.

*Amy