R is for...

Russian America.

Sitka was known, a couple hundred years ago, as New Archangel, the main outpost of Russia in Alaska. The Russian influence can still be seen, especially in St. Michael's Cathedral in the heart of downtown Sitka. The church is filled with old icons and artifacts which were rescued from a devastating fire which destroyed the original cathedral a number of years ago. It was rebuilt as an exact replica of the first church.



It was a drizzly day in Sitka when we were there. Not a heavy rain, but just enough to need the umbrellas. The shop girls were frazzled and somewhat short-tempered, understandably so as the stores were packed with shoppers trying to snatch up the end of season bargains at 50 and 75% off. There was a quilt shop right next to the cathedral; lots of Alaska quilt patterns and fabrics, some cross-stitch and a little bit of yarn. (I also forgot to mention last time that there is a huge quilt shop in Ketchikan, as well as the yarn shops.) I was surprised at how many places we stopped at had quilt and yarn shops very close to the docks. I guess the folks in Alaska understand about souvenir yarn for the cruise passengers.

This little hill with the flags is the spot where Russia turned over possession of Alaska to the United States.

Sitka Harbor is filled with many beautiful little islands. All the islands seem to have a house or two on them; beautiful big houses on some of them. Every island has it's own dock, a necessity when you have to sail over to the town in order to grocery shop or do anything else, for that matter. Wouldn't that be ideal? A house on your own little island, where you can escape from the rest of the world. Think of all the lovely knitting you could get done!