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A Special Place 
Show and tell about places in nature that were, or are, important to you. Big majestic places, or everyday places.

Returning to a Sitka Spruce Stump

Who: Robin
Where: Sitka Spruce Stump, Totem Pole Park, Sitka, Alaska

Why: There is a special tree stump I met back in 95' on my first visit to Sitka, Alaska. It's big, very big. It supported a Sitka Spruce. It sits quietly and mostly unnoticed at the edge of the clearing where the Klinkit Fort stood which was used to defended the Klinkits against the Russians in the 1800's (they lost).

Anyway this stump radiates power. I went back to visit "my stump" 6 years later, Aug 01. Perhaps its kind of silly to travel all that way to see a stump (well I was in AK). My Sitka Spruce Stump provides me a place to evaluate my life. To see where I have been and where I have gotten and where I am going. To be in the exact same place, so far from home, so many years later. Its grown a bit taller (actually the surrounding area has eroded) and the woods are taking over a bit. Its top, upon which I sit, is a bit softer. But it is still there, and radiating power.

The park ranger said it had been cut in 69' and thought the reason was that it had been damaged in a big storm in 68. I have no doubt of its origional magnificance or its power & energy, it is estimated to be 600 years old. If you find yourself in Sitka, perhaps you too will feel its power...just remember, please sit softly. Amen.

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