Christmas- Sitka Style

For the first time since we have been in Alaska (excluding my JV year), we made the decision to forgo the often stressful, expensive, and treacherous flying during the holidays and chose instead remain in Sitka.  We definitely missed seeing our families for Christmas, but did enjoy the relaxed “stay-cation.”  

Christmas day started with the sugary aroma of Grandma Thoma Rolls (a Buck, or should I say Schuler, family tradition) baking in the oven.  We realized that Grandma Thoma must have had a large family, as the recipe was PLENTIFUL to say the least.  We delivered many cinnamon rolls to friends, despite our urge to want to eat them all.  After our bellies were filled with the cinnamon sweetness, Ben and I opened presents and quickly realized that even though we have only been married for 1.5 years, we are already that old couple that ends up getting each other the same gifts, without knowing it.  We both were surprised to open up new backpacks for backcountry skiing!  (Unfortunately, it seems they will not be used this year due to our lack of snow…more on that later)

Enjoying the wonderful snow in Juneau

Ben, a graceful skate skiier!  

Cross country skiing near Mendenhall Glacier

The rest of the day was spent socializing at the Adam’s house, hiking Herring Cove trail with the Scotchmers, and then ending the day with a dinner feast prepared by the Hunters.   All in all, a wonderful holiday was had.  The Clark victory* in ping pong against the Hunters was just icing on the cake! 

*In all honesty, we may not have won every battle in ping-pong

 Thankfully, to help ease our family withdrawal symptoms, Ma and Pa Buck traveled to Alaska shortly after Christmas for a winter get-away.  We met them in Juneau for four days, where we enjoyed the snowy, wintery weather.  Our schedule each day quickly fell into a pattern:

1. Wake up and eat the complimentary breakfast at the hotel (and stretch it as far as we could)

2. Chat with the fellow Sitkans staying in the hotel

3. Hit the slopes via some method of skiing (By the end of the trip, Ben and I had cross country skied, skate skied, and downhill skied)

4. Come back to the hotel, tired, cold, and wet and promptly run to the hotel’s hot tub to soak.  You better believe we put to use the purple polka dotted bathrobes included in our hotel rooms for this endeavor (see pictures)

5. Head out to the big city for dinner

6. Return to the hotel to play cards or watch a movie while the snow continues to fall on the mountain tops.

Not a bad routine…

Mom skiing in the winter wonderland

Hot tub time!  

Skiing in Juneau

Herring Cove Trail

We returned to Sitka with my parents, leaving behind the winter wonderland for good.  Sitka was balmy and rainy nearly every day and it has not changed in the new year.

Despite the rainy skies, the Buck parents donned their waterproof gear and hiked Herring Cove ( with a slight detour when we spotted whale spouts en route), the Cross Trail, and Indian River.  

Mom on Indian River Trail

Dad was pleased to make it the Backdoor for coffee and treats not only once, but TWICE!  Our evenings were filled with small town style entertainment- lots of music playing, games, friends, and good food.  What could be better? (Note: For you city folk with entertainment galore, we appreciate you not answering this question…it is intended to be rhetorical….)

One of the rare sightings of the sun!

Mom and Dad- thank you for making the trip up to the “not so-arctic” north!  Memories of fun and family will help get us through the rest of the snowless, rainy winter! 

Raising Chena's paws in victory as we learned she was crowned DOG of the YEAR 2014!