Visit to Sitka
Dear Editor: Thank you, Westmark Sitka, for answering our many questions and to the guide at the Russian Bishop’s House who took us on a quick tour upstairs after we missed the scheduled time. My husband likes to discover local authors and Old Harbor Books introduced us to John Straley.
The Sitka Farmers Market was a highlight. I couldn’t bring any of the rhubarb home but a Randy Ferguson carving is a wonderful memory.
We ate very well, including at BEAK and WildFlour Cafe. The parishioners at St. Peter’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church gave us a sense of what living in Sitka year-round is like. We were very glad to have spent a few days before boarding our National Geographic ship. Although it is a small ship, we guess you must be very, very tired of the ship passengers by the end of summer. From these two, a big thank you for a lovely introduction to Alaska.
Maureen Shea, Washington, D.C.
Open Water Challenge
Dear Editor: The 15th annual Change Your Latitude was a record-breaking year in many ways and we owe thanks to many who have supported the Baranof Barracudas Swim Club and Change Your Latitude Open Water Challenge. Seventy-seven swimmers jumped into Sitka Sound waters in the 10k, 6k, 3k and 1k swims this year! Funds raised through this event support the Baranof Barracudas, helping us keep rates affordable and the joy of swimming accessible to our members.
The race organizers would especially like to thank Fisherman’s Quay, LFS Inc., Russell’s, Quality Processing and Sitka Bazaar for support, donations and prizes for this year’s event.
Thank you, Sitka Sound Seafoods, for your generous donation of 50 pounds of salmon. And Chefs Ted Gassman for prepping and Rob Lihou and Merrill Rice for your BBQing. It was out of this world and certainly a topic of joy to all our swimmers and volunteers! The pre-race gathering served 120 people and fueled over 100 swimmers and kayakers in the race the next day!
Thank you to all of our volunteer safety kayakers and support boats, and the U.S. Coast Guard Aids to Navigation Team and Sitka Fire and Dive for their support of the swimmers while in the water. And Dr. Julian Naylor and Dr. Drew Thompson who tended to all on land. Without those keen eyes out there on the water, and expert help for a cold swimmer or two this event wouldn’t be wise to do. A special thank you to all of our kayak volunteers including those from the Sitka AmeriCorps crew and Outer Coast, our swimmers were yet again impressed and made some new friends in Sitka!
A special tip of the (swim) cap to the Sitka Sound Science Center for accommodating us on the beach and around your campus! For our swimmers to navigate among the schools of returning hatchery salmon is something many of our visiting swimmers will never forget!
Many more thank yous to too many to call out by name. It is always a blast to host this event and showcase Sitka and our generous community. We look forward to next year!
Kevin Knox, Kris Calvin
Co-Race Directors
Change Your Latitude
57° North Open Water Challenge
& Baranof Barracudas Swim Club
AmeriCorps Experience
Dear Editor: Before I came to Sitka, I was working as a social worker in my hometown. I had traveled a bit, but I had never even considered the possibility that I would make it to Alaska in my lifetime.
One day, I was on my lunch break and I got a message on the website Handshake about an AmeriCorps opportunity in Sitka. I had heard of AmeriCorps before, but I never considered that it could be in a place so unlike the lower 48. I can’t explain it, but at that moment I knew I was supposed to come here.
When I arrived, I felt overwhelmed. I was overwhelmed by the natural beauty. I was overwhelmed by the magnitude of the move I had just made. I was also very overwhelmed from the flight.
But even then, I knew that this was where I was meant to be. Throughout my time here, I have had many ups and downs. But now that I am at the end of my time, I look back on who I was before I came here and had this experience.
I feel like a completely different person, which is a very scary feeling. But I still have that gut feeling that this was the right decision.
Isabella Howard, Sitka
