#30 – Sitka

Happy 4th! After last night's spectacular fireworks show, we needed our own celebration. Our new crew from Los Osos had arrived so we planned a BBQ: all American hot dogs and hamburgers. Before our BBQ, we enjoyed Sitka's small town parade. Small town parades are fun and this was no exception. The new crew has brought great weather: 80 degrees and sunny.

Our new crew, Tina and Bob Semonsen and Peg and Gerard Ages, were with us last year from Wrangell to Juneau. Bob and Gerard are general contractors who have completed several construction projects for us. They are also avid outdoors people who surf, camp, fish and boat. This year we have to treat Gerard special as he is Los Osos' 2009 Citizen of the Year.

The Wild Blue crew until July 19th are Tina and Bob Semonsen, background, and Peg and Gerard Ages, foreground. Here they are enjoying the Sitka 4th of July parade.

The US Coast Guard helicopters did a formation parade flyover.

Sitka people are into the arts. They have a world class chamber music festival each June and encourage the arts from an early age, as evidenced by this enthusiastic group of art supporters.

Our post parade party began in Sitka's grave yard. Much like a western town, Sitka's graveyard looks like “boot hill”.

With the Squires there would be eight for dinner, but that was before the owners of DanCin Dream, Dan and Cindy, showed up with a case of Alaska Amber and Alaska Ale. Never turn down Alaskans bringing beer! We didn't and the ten of us had a noisy dock party celebrating USA's birthday.