Tuesday, June 25, 2013

The Epic Summer of 2013


The Clarks reunited with Verstovia

We have been in Sitka now about three weeks and the sun has only rarely stopped shining on us.   The weather has been incredible and will go down in Sitka’s record books.  I can already hear the conversation that will take place in years to come during a typical rainy summer day….. “Remember that one REALLY amazing summer back in 2013?” and everyone will smile and shake their heads at the fond memory and recount their amazing adventure tales.

In addition to the spectacular weather, Ben and I have been showered with warmth and love from our friends and fellow community members.  Numerous people that we have run into on the street have phrased our return perfectly by shouting out to us, ”Welcome back home!”  It truly does feel like a homecoming to us.   

Finding housing has been very difficult, especially because of our sweet dog Chena having entered our life.  It turns out, you really shouldn’t adopt a dog until you have your own house because people are not keen on renting their places to dog owners.  Thankfully, our friends have taken care of us.  The Routons welcomed us to their beautiful home and treated us like family for nearly a full week.  Delicious meals appeared daily and we were supplied with any piece of gear we may have left in the interior.  Chena was united with Puffin (who is the reason we how have Chena if you recall Chena “Puff” Clark’s adoption story).  They have become fast friends who love to run the trails together and wrestle on the foof.  We have also been blessed with a month-long house-sitting gig for our friends Dave and Shelley (and now Lucas too!) who are traveling abroad.  Having their place as our home base while we continue to search the housing front has been nothing short of a miracle.   Sitkans truly open their doors for people in need!
Chaichis Beach on one of the hottest days in Sitka
Potentially one of the prettiest beaches in the world--and Kristin and I had it all to ourselves

The adventures here have already been too many to tell.  Chena thinks she died and went straight to Southeast Heaven.  She has already climbed 5 mountain tops, runs on the cross trail daily- zipping through the forest and learning about muskegs (the hard way), and has met so many new dog friends!  She loves Sitka! 

A beautiful dog in a beautiful place
St. Lazaria with Baranof Island in the background

Another view of St. Lazaria
We have camped on Starrigavan ridge with the Routons, boated out to St. Lazaria to see the puffins with Aaron and Patrick, and kayaked to the magical Chaichis just to name a few of the adventures.  We really couldn’t be happier to be back in Sitka, especially during this epic summer of 2013!  

Sunny day on Verstovia with the Routons and Patrick

Our campsite on Starrigavan

Ben and the Routons enjoying the fire and the beginning of the sunset on Starrigavan
My view from our tent in the morning

Chena, finally tuckered out after a long day of hiking
Ben's alpine lake cannonball

Mad dash out of the frozen lake for me...
Aaron jumping in--Puffin decided to stay on the snow

Even Baby Bump Routon took a quick dip (but still not Puffin)!
Flying Puffin (not the Routon's dog)!

All of those black and white shapes on this cliff are nesting Murres--seabirds that look like little penguins. There were thousands of them....noisy little community
One of the 2 whale sightings on the way back from St. Lazaria
Arriving at Chaichis.  Oh how I have missed Spouty Blue (my kayak seen above)

Kristin, the recent Sitka bride, being surronded by three porpoises on our kayak to the Chaichis
Enjoying the view of Edgecumbe and the gorgeous turquoise ocean
Not too many days a year is it warm enough to swim in the ocean!