August 10, 2013 Saturday
Day 34
Went to town for a late breakfast at North Sister Juicery and Crepes. Michael had the Berry Delight Crepes topped with walnuts. I ordered Crepes with locally caught salmon, cream cheese, kelp pickles, tomatoes and lettuce-yum! Also had a smoothie -Lexi's Green Zinger with spinach, kale, apple, celery and lemon. Michael was grossed out, but I loved it, haha!
Afterwards, we walked some trails at Sitka National Historical Park. One of the trails led to the Sound where salmon were entering their spawning creek - they had made it home after 2-3 years in the ocean. Next we climbed up Castle Hill to admire the stunning panoramic views of Sitka. Castle Hill is also the sight of the Alaska transfer from Russia to the United States on October 18, 1867.
Back to camp for our last picnic overlooking the Sound, looking for our ferry to arrive. We departed camp and checked into the ferry at 3:00pm. Our ferry to Juneau, the Fairweather was the fast ferry, like a huge pontoon boat getting us to Juneau in four and one half hours, half the time of the regular ferries.
Arrived at at 7:45pm at a US Forest Service campground, Mendenhall Lake Campground. This park is beautiful, tons of trees and our site had a little path down to the lake where we could view the glacier. We walked down to lake and around campground till dark.
Wildlife Sightings
Bald Eagles
Ravens
Salmon