We left Juneau for Sitka at 8:30 am via Alaska State Ferry. The ferry was running 30 minutes late but they told us we'd get in on time at 6:00 pm. It was mostly blue skies, but a little chilly. A naturalist from the Forest Service gave talks on wildlife, history and navigation. 
She said the state ferries were able to take a more direct route through much narrorer straits than the cruise ships because the ferries were so much smaller. Whenever whales or other wildlife was visable, they would annouce it on the PA system. A lot of senior citizens with RV's and families were on board this ferry. The families were returning from Sitka where a group of kids had lost their baseball game.
Sitka sits on the west side of Baranof Island. Before the white people came this was the home of the Tlingit Indian nation. The Russians first set foot on this island in 1804, led by Alexander Baronov. He brought his men plus some Aleutians from Kodiak Island, making the settlement the capital of Russian America. Sitka, known as New Archangel back then, is the oldest non-native settlement in southeast Alaska. Three thousand white people were living here when San Francisco was just being established as a mission. One can only drive about 7 miles north of town and 6 miles south of town. The main road going north out of town is called Halifbut Point Road or HPR for short. The road going south is Sawmill Creek Road. Japanski Island is connected to Sitka by the O'Connell Bridge. Sitka's population is just under 9,000.
Arriving at 6:00 pm., we headed straight for theStarrigavan Campground, a half mile north of the ferry terminal at the northern end of this paved road. This campground has 26 sites with fewer than half in use. Half of the sites are on the ocean side and half on the wooded side. We took #13 on the right side. The camp host said this campgrounds had only been full only one night this summer. After setting up our two tents and paying the $8 camping fee we drove into town.
We ate dinner at the Mad Greek. The waitress saw Dale's WSU shirt and told us she was going to school there. We walked around town a bit and found the Russian Blockhouse, a replica of a Russian-style guardhouse used to protect the Russians from the Indians. 
There used to be three such buildings standing here. There is also a Russian cemetery nearby. We also walked by the Pioneer Home, a retirement home known for it's gardens. We were disappointed to learn that Castle Hill, a state historical site, would be closed due to constructiona and archeological work. The campground host had told us we should go up Harbor Mountain Road for a great view, about 4 miles north of town off Halibut Point Road. This 5.5 mile gravel road is quite narrow and windy. Probably at least 10 cars came down on our way up and they were all going quite fast. There are two pull-outs toward the top of the mountain. One has a boardwalk that takes you to a picnic table and a great view. Unfortunately at 8:30 pm, it was too early for the sunset. From here we went back to our campsite at Starrigavan.