Spring Already?

Kayaking in Eastern Channel 

I would love to know how the middle (upper) sea lion got to the position he is in

Where did the last 3 months go???  So much has happened, it’s hard to know where to start. After my parents left, Sitka became sunny, dry, and cold for nearly 2 months straight.  It was a good thing that Ben and I moved to the interior last year and acquired some warm, down puff jackets, because our rain jackets and extra tuffs sat in the closet forgotten for a very long time!  In fact, on the first day of rain after a couple months of sun, I didn’t even want to go out and walk Chena after work because it seemed so gross out.  I had to snap myself out of my sun spoiled stupor and remind myself that walking in the rain is what we Sitkans do…and we don’t even think twice about it. 

January 4th- we thought it was finally starting to turn to winter on the mountains....

We were excited about finally seeing snow.....

But by January 26th, the mountains once again looked (and felt) like summer.  Note all of the short sleeves and shorts and lack of snow

The Routon family on a warm summer like day at the end of January

Ruthann loving the warm mountain top adventure

Patrick, Jessica, and Matt wondering where the snow is...

Ben soaking up the sun

Kristin, Sam, and Chena on the boat ride to Kruzof Island

We eventually started to gain some snow on the mountains, but it hasn’t amounted to much.  The positive side of snowless mountains is that it has opened up some adventure opportunities that would not normally be possible this time of year.  We decided to take advantage of the non-winter weather and hike Mt. Edgecumbe for my 30^th birthday.  Sam, Kristin, Ben, Chena and I left the harbor at the break of dawn (which isn’t really very early on the last weekend of January- 9:00AM). 

Ben and Chena enroute 

Running up the trail

Even though the day didn’t necessarily look or feel like winter, we were still reminded that it was by the lack of daylight.  To make the ascent possible, we had to run and fast hike a good portion of the trail to be back by dark.  We didn’t stay long on the summit because of the biting wind, but the views were amazing.  I had never summited Mt. Edgecumbe on a clear, blue sky day.  The 360 views  were astounding, allowing us to see all of the jagged mountain peaks of Baranof Island and beyond as well as the immense Fairweather Mountains to the north.   

Up the steep side of Mt. Edgecumbe

You could tell from the trail markers which direction the wind has been blowing

Kristin and Sam at the summit

On the boat ride back to town, the sea was bath-tub calm with the setting sun casting an orange glow on the water.  As we zipped back towards Sitka, two whales swam in the distance, each spouts’ mist appearing peach colored against the pastel  sky.  The sun glimmered off their backs and I found it hard to comprehend the immense beauty all around me.  We waved at the sea otters that we passed floating in their kelp beds, always appearing as if they are waving back with their little paws raised just above the water.  Sitka provided a very amazing day to help me celebrate my 30^th.  And I must mention, the spectacular human company on the trip made it even better! 

Our home!  

As a late birthday present to me and an early birthday present to Ben, we bought a house in Sitka!  We couldn’t be happier with our new home and have been enjoying the views of the ocean and the mountains from our windows.  Ben and I both still have a hard time believing that this is actually where we live now.  Even on the rainy days, the views are beautiful overlooking the ocean.  We are excited to show off our new place, so start booking your plans to visit! 

A quick jaunt up Verstovia from the front door of our new home (the trail is a short bushwhack through the trees behind our house)

Life is good!

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!

A Clark Thanksgiving 2013

The Family Bunch on their way up Verstovia

                We ended November 2013 the same way we ended November 2012- with the Clark parents visiting Alaska for Thanksgiving. This year Mom and Dad had to venture only as far north as the Southeastern Panhandle due to our move back to Sitka over the summer. They noticed the absence of an outhouse this year; but even so, their visit was not only a blast but gave us a nice family break from the whirlwind of working.

Mom and Dad enjoying the walk on the beach

Emily and Chena taking in the view of Bear Mtn.

                This year proved significantly warmer than last year’s 20 below zero week. For Sitka standards though, it was cold. The temperature teetered around the mid-30s and rained and snowed off and on while they visited.

                We were worried about trying to live up to last year’s Thanksgiving extravaganza. We experienced true interior cold, sat in a natural hot-spring, Chena Hot Springs, at 20 below, went to the museum of the North, had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner with Nellie and Pete, and watched the dancing Aurora Borealis, making it hard to compete with for this year’s break (Read previous blog entries for more information on our previous Thanksgiving).

                But, at least for this writer, this year did not disappoint. After the long awaited introduction, Mom and Dad were able to finally meet Chena, who at the time of their last visit was an imaginary dog that we constantly joked about. We knew last year that we wanted a dog and after our wintery hot spring visit we decided our imaginary dog’s name would be Chena. Thus, when we went to North Pole’s animal shelter and met our soon-to-be dog, we rightfully named her Chena.

Chena teaching Mom and Dad how to behave

                Mom and Dad immediately fell in love with Chena, which was no surprise to us. The two walked, fed, hugged and scratched Chena to meet her necessary requirements of daily attention. Dad faithfully took her out every morning during his visit. Even two weeks after their departure, Chena is still sulking in their absence.

                Mom and Dad’s visit did not revolve simply around the canine pooch. They were able to meet my mentor teacher from my student teaching year, Bob Potrzuski. We had Thanksgiving dinner with him and his wife, Carol, and some friends of theirs, the Howards. Many educators sitting around the table made for an engaging and interesting, along with differentiated, conversation with excellent food. After the Potrzuski meal we had a second Thanksgiving dinner with some Sitka friends who roasted up some delicious venison.



Walking on the Sea Walk

                To work off the Thanksgiving feast we went on plenty of hikes to burn the excess calories away. The weather did not always cooperate but as any Southeast Alaskan knows, you must bare the weather. Mom and Dad went right along, loving the scenery and beauty of the Tongass National Forest.  

Two Knee replacements cannot stop Dad from hiking up Verstovia!

                The highlight hike for us was a mountain ascent of Mount Verstovia. The mountain watches over the seaside town of Sitka and is distinguishably recognized by its steep rocky ridges leading to a pronounced pointed peak that is visible from many street corners throughout town. Mom and Dad, along with both of us, Chena, and our two friends Matt and Patrick, ventured upwards even with the less-than-desirable weather. The hike goes up a 2500 foot elevation gain and is in any hiker’s term ‘a steep hike’. The trail zig-zags along a precipitous mountain side that leads to Picnic Rock, a rock cropping that sits out above the tree line and provides spectacular views of not only Sitka but a large portion of Baranof Island. We all arrived to Picnic Rock learning the unfortunate fact that the clouds rolled in, making there no view at the top. Even so, we soaked in the alpine hike and Mom and Dad took in the realization of accomplishing a feat even few Sitkans accomplish. Their hardcore factor escalated rapidly once proving their ability to scale an entire mountainside; they probably think this sea level living is a cake-walk.

The Verstovia Ascent Club- Minus Chena and Emily

 

                No Clark Thanksgiving would be complete without a Christmas tree finding. This year we debated on possible trees. Should we cut one down or help support the local Boy Scout troop? With an eventful week, we decided to buy our tree, which turned out to be a very successful purchase. We put the tree up and decorated it with past and current family ornaments. It was a nice ending to a great week.

 

Christmas Tree 2013

Chena is behaving nicely in order to have a fully stocked stocking!

 

So much for that fully stocked stuffing, Chena was misbehaving and rolling in decaying Salmon....... again!

                Living in Alaska allows for few and far between visitors, but when possible and available we love to entertain and show others our love and joy of the area. It was evident with their visit that Mom and Dad love exploring the adventurous terrain that inspires us to continue to live in such a serene place.

Enjoying a hike on the Cross Trail

Hey is that the red-headed History teacher Mr. Clark- Hey, yes it is!

 

 

 

 

 

A Whale of A Time

October had lived up to its climatic reputation. The month had been filled with gray skies and continual precipitation. I know that when people read this, they may believe that I am being dramatic for the sake of the written word, but I can assure you that we did not see the sun for more than an hour or two at a time for a consistent 30 days. This type of clime becomes the expected norm for Southeasterners, especially during the coastal showers of autumn.

                  With this being said, when November began we looked forward to the colder weather and the hope for the transformation of rain into snow. We got both. The surrounding mountains that loom over Sitka are beginning to accumulate snow and the snow-level slowly, but surely, is beginning to creep lower and lower- with the eventual hope of the flakes touching the trails and streets of the town.

                  But with the snow weeks away from hitting sea-level and our first blue sky day in a month, we decided to venture out to sea. In the absence of rain, we let the sun remind our skin what Vitamin D feels like.  Along with the inviting sunshine, the ocean was calm and placid- adding to the enticement. Our friends, the Routons, nicely let us borrow their double kayak. With our northern purchase of our Subaru, aka Birch, we transported the kayak to a local docking spot and launched out to sea.

                  The previous night we had learned that a channel, not too far from town, was the temporary home to many whales. The migrant humpback whales are visiting the nearby waters and we wanted to take the chance to kayak with our enormous mammal friends. One person even mentioned Orcas, but quickly reverted his statement. With this knowledge, we eagerly and excitedly paddled onwards towards the channel of whale occupation.

                  As soon as our paddles touched the water we started to see the dissipation of whale spouts from afar. Our excitement only increased with each stroke forward. We saw boats zooming to and fro from the stretch of water that the whales seemed to be filling.

                  Nearing their waters, we saw spout after spout. With the warm sun shining down on the glittering sea, the humpbacks glistened in the rays as they came-up for air. Keeping a respectable distance from the spouting mammals, we counted four, five, six and then seven and eight whales in the local vicinity.                  

                  We could hear the whales’ breath as they came up for air and we saw their tails as they descended down under the surface to feed or swim below. The nerve-racking minutes when no whales were at the surface made our imagination wander. Would they come-up for air in front of our kayak? Or, would they not see our boat and as they came up for air, and tip us over? These thoughts make our anxiety unnecessarily increase, but the chances of it actually happening are slim.

                  We continued to float and watch as the whales spouted, barely moving. Taking in the day’s serenity and magnificent wildlife reminded us, even in these past few months of occupational overload, that the place we are so fortunate to live in allows any adventure seeker, with the patience to wait for decent weather, to have a whale of a time when they might least expect it.

Oregon Tour

              

Amazing hiking trail on Mt. Hood

 

It is hard to decide where to start, where to resume our story from our last post. We have had an adventurous and exciting tale since our move back to Sitka. We spent June house sitting for our friends the Adams in Sitka and looking semi-aggressively at housing. We realized we had our hands full with the housing search. Prices are high and the options are limited.

Sarah and Emily on Mt. Hood

As July arrived, we ended our house sitting and decided to venture south, to Oregon to visit family and escape the uncertainty of where we were going to live. Our trip in July was the relaxation and family time we needed and desired. We spent the days deciding what our adventure would be and then eating delicious food cooked by Mary Ann. The weather was amazing, sun and warmth filled the days and the nights were comfortable and clear. We were able to squeeze in trips to Mt. Hood and the Columbia Gorge. We jumped in multiple creeks flowing down from the mountain and peered at waterfalls throughout the Gorge that flow towards the immense Columbia River. It was my first time in Oregon during the summer and I was enamored with the abundance of fun and exciting things to do. And of course we had the ability to hang out with family and friends, making the visit even sweeter.

Us with the Loeb clan--before we got soaking wet!

                Along with the countless days of mountain hopping and waterfall spotting, we had an EPIC water balloon fight with Mary, Lucy, and even Ryan at Megan and Curtis’ house. The boundary of the battle consisted of the fenced-in backyard, which made for opposing sides to be close together. With the proximity, strategy was a key component for one to stay dry. But, none would be dry by the end of the hour-long balloon battle. I do want all to know that I was teamed up against by Emily, Lucy, and Mary. I felt that the Buck blood boiled still from the Triathlon in Sitka. Their competitive spirits overwhelmed their rationality and decided to take it out on my poor unsuspecting soul. But, as many Clarks know, we are a smart and resourceful bunch. Although I was clearly outnumbered and out ballooned, I made sure none of the girls went home dry.

Going for a walk with Chena and Mary and Lucy

Jim and little Ryan! 



Em and Mary Ann



Ramona Falls



CHENA turned TWO!  Mary Ann baked her a dog treat cake for her special day!

Sunset at Crater Lake

                The balloon battle was not the only epic adventure. Emily, Mary Ann, Jim, and I drove down to Bend, Oregon where Tom, Amy, Chiara, Liesl, and, now, Pascal live. Jim had a bike race and we spent a long weekend enjoying the dry, warm climate of Bend. Emily and I visited Crater Lake National Park, which is a spectacular park with an amazing crater ridge drive that allowed us to drive around the entirety of the lake and view the surrounding mountains and terrain. We loved the visit but we struggled with sleep at the National Park’s campground. It seemed that the natural beauty of Crater Lake sunk deep into many folks, inspiring them to visit the campground. That inspiration also encouraged them to drink heavily in the campground. We had multiple groups around us having parties and drinking, while being loud and rowdy. Someone next to us ended up getting arrested. What was even more ironic was that we slept in the backyard of Amy and Tom’s place a few nights, located in a developed neighborhood of Bend, and woke up to a deer walking past our tent and slept with ease and quietness.

Beautiful Crater Lake



                When returning from Crater Lake we were met with even more water balloons. As Emily and I unsuspectingly walked into the house, from the balcony above the garage came water balloons whizzing by. Splash, splash by our feet. We tried to combat back, but with the high ground Liesl and Chiara had the upper hand. We could only try to hide and stay dry. The two girls showed us their biking skills later and also took us to the local playground. We had a wonderful time with the Bahrman crew and were ecstatic to be able to visit so much family!

Bahrman biker gang

Chiara, Liesl, and the newest addition- Pascal!

                After our visit to Oregon, which was hard to leave after family, fun, and delicious food, we came back to Sitka. Without a place to rent, we moved in to our friend Matt’s house. Matt Hunter has been both of our friends since we separately arrived in Sitka. He lives with our other friend Patrick. The two were so flexible and understanding of our situation that they opened their doors to us. We were so thankful to have friends like these two, no matter where we lived.

Smith Rocks- where all the German tourists are!

                We spent the next month living with the two and showing Chena her new home in Sitka. We were afraid of how Chena would adapt to the Southeast, but with each day she seemed more and more comfortable with her new surroundings. She seemed ready to be a wet, muskeg jumping pup of the Alexander Archipelago.

One of the many times, chena has fallen face first into mud puddles or muskegs

                From mid-July to mid-August we spent most of our time with the apprehension of the start of school looming. Not that we were not excited, but both Emily and I were nervous to start our positions at Sitka High. We knew how busy we were about to be and tried desperately to enjoy every last second of our work-free summer. But, as school has been going for a month now, we are definitely busy but we are definitely in high spirits and loving what we do. It is hard work but rewarding. Emily is teaching three Health classes, two College prep courses, and a Shape and Tone class. I am teaching three sessions of Freshman history and English block classes. It is great to spend our lunches together and keep each other motivated about the day.

                As the summer ended we talked about what to do next summer. But with so many adventurous days ahead at the school and at our new apartment, we will enjoy each passing day and put our energy into our new work one day at a time, all the while, of course, walking and hiking with Chena in her new stomping grounds.   More posts to come about some of our other fun summer adventures in Sitka.