Stormygirl:

Thank You and Your Welcome!

Laugh...oh yes, The Spain Report.

What an incredible experience...TOO.

My Best,
Oaktown Traveler

Oops...

I was writing while some of you were or I scrolled down too far...

Deborah, I was able to make it to Sitka earlier on my "Big Blue Cruise" (smile) which I why I did not go back again.

Lauren: Russia and Sita skills...I like that! Russia is on our travel list so I would love to know how you plan to do it. You probably have lots done. Are any of the planning queries on another thread?

Again, Thanks to all of you for your encouragement and appreciation.

My Best,
Oaktown Traveler

Maybe I missed that part in Part I, I'll look again. Did you enjoy it? Any recommendations? I'm only there for a short time.

Thanks.

I read again and I don't really see any highlights of Sitka, so what did you think? Was this just a stop on the Taku? I am actually staying a couple of nights, then taking the ferry to Juneau.

Deborah:

Sitka was lovely. The weather was very hot. The shops had excellent quality merchandish in terms of great things to take home.

I took the tour and was glad to have a guide narrate the history and to show me the Sitka National Historic Park, The Russian Bishop's House and The Sheldon Jackson Museum.

St. Michael's Cathedral is a gem that is really smack dab in the middle of the town.

You can also easily walk to all of this on your own.

When I was there I had just missed the Sitka Tribe Dance Performance.

I skipped their Alaska Raptor Center because I would focus on birds in Haines.

I had selected the Sitka Hotel and I still think it to be a great option if you need one. It is located right in the middle of everything and the staff is topps! They let me cancel with no problems. The Sitka Hotel is Victorian in decor and it enforces a no-smoking policy.

You must have dinner at The Channel Club. I was not around for dinner but had a delicious lunch at The Pizza Express. I know that sounds strange but everybody was saying to eat their and so I did. Great food.

I think one day and one night would allow you to comfortably do all of the above. If you want to go out to St. Lazaria Island, go fishing, hiking or take in some other "active" excursions then stick around another day and night.

While Sitka was a nice place to visit I was not too eager to push the history of how this "Russian" Settlement came to be completely aside.

The violent cultural conflict, war, invasion and terrible anniliation between the Russian and Native Tinglit people was real.

Today Sitka is a fun place to visit.

Again, enjoy, I did.

My Best,
Oaktown Traveler

Thanks! I picked Sitka as one of my stops this year because I wanted to do a trip on the ferry again. I loved it so much last year. As I said before, this is kind of a bonus trip to do the things I missed in Juneau last year. I will be staying at the Super 8 in Sitka. Got a great rate and it's right in town too. Thanks for all of your input. I think they have church services on Weds. night (which is night I arrive), so I thought I would go check that out. Thanks for your restaurant choices too. I found a great book while I was in Minneapolis and it has a lot of picks popular with the locals. I can't wait to get back up there. Talk to you soon.

Deborah:

Sounds great!

Have a lovely Friday.

Oaktown Traveler

Topping for the Cruise Critic Alaska Port of Call folks...

Thanks again everybody at Cruise critic for your help.

My Best,
Oaktown Traveler

Thank you for this wonderful report. I have never been to Alaska and had booked a cruise (RT seattle)Well after reading more about AK I decided to cancel cruise and book own trip.Will take the ferry,trains, coaches,rent a car. Looking at 2 weeks and very excited about trip. Your writing has confirmed I did the right thing. Thanks for the heads up about the alcohol problems,

Duh:

You are quite welcome!

You will really like the independent planning process.

If you want another forum to ask a zillion questions about the ports of call in Alaska and the like, then you probably know to go right on over to www.cruisecritic.com, Port of Call, ALaska.

SMILE.

Many parts of my actual planning process are contained therein!

Happy Planning,
Oaktown Traveler

Topping to help with the Seward question about The Breeze Inn...

Hope this helps...again, this was my experience.

I do feel that with all of the advanced communication with them that my room should have been ready well before "dinner" time.

At any rate...The Seward Lodge is by far my choice for my next visit.

Happy Research,
Oaktown Traveler

Dear Oaktown Traveler,

just found and finished reading your ALASKA trip report. So very helpful. We are driving (new car) S. Florida -Yellowstone - Port Hardy and onto Prince Rupert. From Prince Rupert - Inside passage- Prince Rupert - Jasper- Lake Louise and back to Florida. (a 60 + day trip.)
I can't decide what to do with the car.
Could we safely leave it in Prince Rupert for a about two weeks? Or, would Juneau be better? Or shall we keep the car with us all the time?

We have never been to Alaska and would truly appreciate your and the forum views. Alaska Highway to Jasper was an option, but a friend told me NOT to do it, because the road is terrible, horrible.

Puffinx:

Thank you!

I would leave the vehicle in PR if possible.

If you can get the ferry reservations for the car then go for it.

Juneau is excellent however, you are fine without a car. If your car is new I am not sure about exactly where you might want to safely store it.

Grab a 2004 Milepost from your library or nearest bookstore. Every inch of the roads "to", from and within Alaska are described. You may also spot some car storage options.

Your trip sounds GREAT! Have fun.

Happy Travels,
Oaktown Traveler

Thank you, for your reply. Will do as you suggest and leave the car in Prince Rupert. There may be one car storage place, I believe.

Stay well, Eva

Puffinx:

Your welcome!

Thank you for your good wishes.

Have a great day.

Oaktown Traveler

OT, apparently you lied when you announced on the Europe board that you were leaving fodors.

Your decision appears to have lasted somewhat less than 24 hours.

So glad to have you back. :-)

Puffinx:

Pulled this up for your handy dany reference.

Ignore the post above mine...while offensive the comment is not on the "pull" list. The poster is now on the "do not post list."

Happy Planning,
Oaktwon Traveler

ttt-ing part 2 ...