Sitka - Parade Day

I hope you all are having a wonderful Independence Day Holiday.

This morning, we awoke in the idyllic anchorage of South Magoun Cove to lots of fish swishing about on the surface and a pair of eagles swooping in to dine on them and then fight about it when only one caught a fish.

Again, Master Angler, Diane, caught a rock fish off the back.  I know that Jerry thinks he's the fisherman, but so far on this trip, all evidence is pointing to Diane...

We pulled the anchor up at 1043 and headed to Sitka on flat seas.   We ended-up following Doug in Peregrine, a 2008 Selene 53, that anchored with us last night.   They were heading into Sitka as well.

We pulled into our assigned slip at 1203 and got ourselves prepared to head into town to watch the local parade.   We took this photo on the road about halfway into town.

What a hoot.   This little town of about 6000 residents must have had 110% turnout as it was packed along the entire parade route.

Paraders, bystanders, and spectators were all active and cheering.   The various parade float people were tossing candies and bananas (yup, bananas) about and the kids of all ages were snagging their favorites.   There are going to be a lot of sugar-OD'ed kids tonight!

What a fun time.   So, genuine and a full celebration of life.

Here are a bunch of pictures of the parade.

We were standing near the start of the parade.

The parade participants represented broad spectrum of local people and interests.

And a marching band!   They were good, too.

As the tail of the parade passed the local fire station, four firetrucks joined in the fun, bringing up the rear.

Since the parade was moving slowly, we took a shortcut through a back alley to the end of the parade route and got to watch the parade all over again.

Karen & Diane posed with a bear.

We lunched at the Sitka Hotel Bar, thank you Jerry!  Then we shopped in an art gallery and walked back to the boat.

On the way back, we spotted this lighthouse across the channel from downtown Sitka.

After another successful dinner of Karen's famous Olive Chicken (no wine tonight) Karen & I walked the docks.

This picture was taken about 2100 (9:00pm).   The sun is still pretty high in the sky.

We walked by the purse seiner fishing boat and thought we'd give you a more up-close look at the rig.

And the little skiff they use to control the tail end of the net and loop it back to the mothership.

Long day and we are all pooped.   I can hear my pillow calling to me.

Tomorrow, 7/5 will be the fireworks at 2350 (11:30pm)!   I hope I can stay up for it.

Good Night...