Why Sitka?

In February 2016, my life-style as I'd known it, changed.  The skipper of the 37' sailing vessel Quijote was recruiting crew for a journey up The Inside Passage. A casual encounter with him found me with an open mind and ripe for change.  After a bit of sleuthing the skipper's background, experience and leadership habits, I was compelled to leave my employ of 14 years, clear out personal effects at home in order to rent out my room, say farewell to family and friends and sail (aka slow motor) away for the trip of a lifetime.  From Seattle to Glacier Bay and back.  May 15th through August 27, with a two-week break along the way.  That trip is a different story.  But it's the birth of How it came to be that I am in Sitka, AK.

Knowing my lack of interest in returning to my way of life as I knew it in Seattle, I kept a keen eye open throughout the summer for: what's next?

The sailboat crew took a mid-trip, two-week break and flew back to Seattle.  Not me!  My son, Chris, flew north to Petersburg and we spent those two weeks exploring together. Although Petersburg is a fine town, entertaining ourselves for two weeks there did not sound appealing.  I mean really, WE'RE IN  ALASKA and we want to SEE ALASKA!

After much research on what/where/how, Chris and I found ourselves boarding a small plane to Sitka. We flew up and over a thick bed of clouds, no views of Alaska there. However, on descending we were treated to a spectacular view of the craggy coastline of Sitka Sound dotted with countless islands and islets protecting the coastal town of 9,000 inhabitants from the swell and stormy Gulf of Alaska.  It was love at first site.  Accessible by water or air only.  Fourteen miles of paved road. Rural and remote, yet connected and surprisingly contemporary.  This was a gem to discover.  All the more unforgettable discovering it with Chris.

On a budget, the Sitka International Hostel became our landing place for 4 days while we biked, hiked, walked, explored, and entertained ourselves.

Volunteers are used to staff the hostel year-round.  Aha!  What possibilities lay in store here! Volunteer for 2 or 3 shifts a week in exchange for a private room, shared bath & kitchen.  Hmmmm. This appeared to be a clear sign pointing the direction of my next step.

An email or two with the Hostel Manager to express my interest and Voila!  October 23rd found me on a plane to Sitka not knowing where this journey is going, but knowing I'm here, and right on time!

And that, in it's simplicity, is how I ended up in Sitka, Alaska.