Following are "my" answers to the most commonly asked questions. They are in no particular order, other than, the ones I think of first are usually the ones most asked. If you think of something that isn't here, be sure to email me and let me know. If I don't know the answer, I will query my resources (the people of Sitka) and get them for you. A note: I will always do my best to give you accurate, helpful answers, but... things change all the time and in the event that the answer is not helpful, or is not correct, I cannot be held responsible.

When is the best time to come to Sitka? Well... it depends on what you're coming for; if you are coming to fish, anytime between May 1 and September 30th. If you are coming to learn about the history of Sitka, that's the best time, too, as everything is open, including the Russian and Tlingit dances. However... my favorite times in Sitka are;

• March-April; during the Herring Fishery. The fish come in to lay their eggs, boats come from all over the world to harvest the fish and their eggs, and tons of other wildlife come in to take their share of the them, too; eagles, sea lions whales and more!
• October 18th, Alaska Day! This is a very BIG celebration in Sitka, as this was originally the capitol of Alaska, back when Russian had it and where the transfer from Russia to the US took place. Lots of community events, booths, parade, costumes and such! A VERY fun time!
• November: Whale Fest, this is a great time in Sitka! Many wildlife specialist come to Sitka to give presentations, there's whale watching cruises, and lots of environmentally related events.
• November: Arts and craft convention, this is usually the weekend after Thanksgiving. Many artists come from all over to share their crafts and answer questions about how they made them.
• Thanksgiving and Christmas: are both wonderful times in Sitka. Sitka is lit up beautifully and you'll see that even if it doesn't snow, the Christmas spirit is in Sitka. There's always a large parade when Santa arrives and many downtown events.

What is the best way to get there? Depends on your time frame for travel: If you have a while, I love the ferry. It comes from Bellingham, Washington, taking, usually about three days and gives you the opportunity to see unbelievable sites along the way. They have small cabins on the ferry you can get, or you can bring your sleeping bag and bunk out on the floor or the reclining chairs. Or, you can fly Alaska Airlines all the way here. We have a small airport on Japonski Island, which attaches to Baranof Island by the O'Connel Bridge. Tickets on AA can vary from $480 to $900, depending on where you're coming from and when.

I'm originally from Florida and so go back there several times a year. If I buy my tickets early, like in February for a summer trip, I can usually go for about $480 round trip. If I wait though until a month or so before, then I'm looking more at $800 round trip, of course, I almost NEVER buy tickets, though, because if you have an Alaska Air (Bank of America) mileage credit card, you get a mile or more for each dollar spent with it and I pay for EVERYTHING with it! Lights, telephone bill, groceries, you can even enter via their web site and buy from Best Buy, Dell, FTD and more and get up to 10 miles per dollar spent! I LOVE MY ALASKA AIR BANK OF AMERICA credit card! And... unlike the other mileage cards, with the AA card, you can travel all the way from Sitka to Orlando for only 20,000 miles! We even traveled all the way to Aruba for just 30,000 miles last year! As you can see I get very excited when it comes to free miles!

Where should I stay? Well, it just so happens I can help with that (smile)! I have a HUGE cabin that has 5 bedrooms and 5 baths, on the waterfront and with a hot tub www.sharonscabins.com ! Can't get any better than that! But, if you'd like something a little smaller, I can also help with reservations at many of the smaller vacation rentals. Nothings better than being able to relax in your own living room, cook in your own kitchen (when you want to) and relax by a cozy fire, while soaking in an Alaskan sunset. Just call me, or go to: www.sitkavacationrentals.com!

Should I rent a car? Boy, everyone is different! I hate it when people come to visit and all they see is downtown! Yes, it has lots to see down there and you definitely would not want to miss St. Michael's Cathedral, the Russian and the Tlingit Dancers, the Sheldon Jackson Museum, the Isabel Miller Museum, the newly remodeled Boat House, but... you also won't want to miss a drive up Harbor Mountain, where you can watch the sun set through the clouds below you, or where on an early morning, the deer stand and watch with wide eyes as you drive by. Or, a hike around the estuary trail, where the Chocolate Lilly can be photographed, and where the forest opens up to a vista of snow-capped mountains. Should you rent a car, yes, I think so, but you could come to Sitka and have a wonderful time without it. There are trails accessible from downtown and we have city transport Monday through Friday via the Sitka Tours bus.

Can I drive to Sitka? Only if your car can swim. We live on an island and as such, have water on all four sides. You can, however bring your auto up via the ferry or a barge.

Could I get by with just a bike? You absolutely can! But... isn't there always a but? If you're here for the winter, there's nothing more fun that riding three or four miles to work, amid slush (our name for wet snow) and then having a big truck go by and totally coat you with it.

Where can I do my laundry? If you rent a vacation rental, or stay at my cabin, you usually have access to a washer and dryer, but we do have three laundry mats;

• Sitka Laundry, 906 Halibut Point Road (across from McDonalds) 907-747-7284. Also has showers
• Super 8 Laundry, downtown, at 404 Sawmill Creek, 907-747-8804
• Cascade Laundry: 1211 Sawmill Creek Road (also has showers)

How can I get set for a fishing trip? Several different ways; if you are planning ahead, you can go to: www.fish-sitka.com to set up fishing and lodging as a package, or, if you only want fishing, you can Click Here to book a fishing trip, as well as whale watching and such.

Is it true you only have 17 miles of road in Sitka, or 12, or 15? This is a common question and is often mis-answered. It's about 17 miles from one end of Sitka to the other, where you can't go any more-by that I mean it's private land and the gate is locked. This doesn't include the side roads or Harbor Mountain Road, which is five miles by itself.

How many feet above sea level will I be in Sitka? This question is usually asked, as we sit on the bench downtown, looking out at the Pacific Ocean. I usually answer, how tall are you? 5 feet, okay, you are five feet above sea level. Sitka is located on Baranof island, located in the Pacific Ocean in the area called Southeast Alaska.

Does everyone live in igloos in Sitka, or just the natives. Hmmm, considering the cost of real estate, I sometimes wish that igloos were an option. Actually, to have an igloo you need to live where it is consistently below freezing. Sitka's average summer temperature is about 45, average winter temp, about 45... They say that sometimes in the summer it gets up to 60 and 70, and even, once in a great, great while, 80. I wouldn't know as I've only lived here since 1989...

Do I need rain gear? Hello... I'd say you just might. We get around 100 inches a year.

The best question, yet; How much to mail a stamp to the United States... Helloooo, where do you think you are? Yes, believe it or not, Alaska is part of the United State! Yes, it's true!

And... last, but not least, What's the exchange rate, from American Dollars? Need I say more?

Anyway-some of these are in fun, but still real-actual questions we receive on a daily basis. However, don't hesitate to ask your question, because, 1, it may help someone else that is wondering the same thing, and 2, you may find your question here!

Thanks! and just email me if you come up with a question you think might be helpful to others!

Moving to Sitka? Coming soon, a page of answers to most common questions for those looking to make Sitka their home.