Sitka... more than a place, it's a way of life.

If you love to hike, bike, camp, hunt, boat, kayak, scuba dive, this is the place for you. No matter the weather, you'll find Sitkans out in it doing what they love to do best.

And, if they can figure a way to make a living off the land, they will do it. Be it fishing, diving, or supporting the tourism industry by sharing what they love about this wonderful land.

In addition to the Sitkans that make their living in the fishing industry, you'll find many that are subsistence hunters, meaning they strive to live off the land. They hunt, fish and gather food from the land to support their families.

And, let's talk about Sitka Families... One thing that amazes me more than anything else is just how involved Sitkans are. You go to a ball game here, ANY ball game and unless you get there early, you are going to find it hard to find a parking place. Be it little league, basket ball, T-ball, whatever, Sitkans come out and support their kids, as well as adult ball players. I have five grandchildren here and all five are into one sport or another and always--and I stress always, the bleachers are full. I can understand why I am there, after all, I'm their grandmother, but WHY is everyone else in Sitka there?

Maybe it's because it gives us an excuse to get outside. Maybe we just need to be vocal and want to cheer, but whatever the reason, our bleachers are full. No matter that the rain is coming down in a steady freezing drizzle. No matter that the sun is shining and we could be out fishing. If our kids are playing ball, the bleachers are full of parents, grandparents and others, all coming out to support their efforts.

And, the holidays.... let's talk about the holidays. You'd think that with us living in Alaska, that many of us would make plans to spend our winters down south, where it is warmer, dryer, whatever. Not here. I don't know how many times I've heard, "Well, I'd like to go down south for a couple of months, the only thing is, I want to be here for the holidays". Or, "I'd like to go down south for the cold months, but I don't want to miss the herring fishery".

Sitka is so special that when people ask, "When's the best time to come to Sitka?" I find it very hard to answer. Yes, it certainly is beautiful in the summer and you can catch a lot of fish during that time. But, what about January, when it's about 30 degrees, the sky is blue, sun shining, gulls flying and the whales are coming in. And, what about Christmas, when all is dark, which allows you to see the Northern Lights. And, downtown, with Christmas cheer. Norman Rockwell has nothing on us.

Whatever the season, we find reasons to stay here.

Sitka people are warm, friendly people that open their hearts and their homes to those in need. If you decide to make it your home, you might as well accept that you now have a new family. And, like family, you may find they get in your business, but it's most always, simply because they see you have a need and are looking to help.

Sitka is a hard place to visit, because once you get here, whatever the season, you never want to leave.