2009-8-21  Ketchikan

Friday was Ketchikan day. Ketchikan is the southeasternmost sizable city in Alaska. It's population is only about 7,500 and it's only about 4 sq miles, but it is the fifth most populated city in the state.

It was a rather short stop, but worth seeing. Even Uncle Joe got off the ship for a change!

Carol had been here before and took over our excursion here. She got the info about taking the public bus to Totem Bight State Historical Park, and we were on our way for $1 each way.

In 1938 the U.S. Forest Services began a program to salvage and reconstruct totem poles. Civilian Conservation Corps funds were used to hire skilled carvers from among the older Natives and totems which had been left to rot in the woods were either repaired or duplicated. A model of a Native village was erected on this site, then called Mud Bight. In 1970 it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Pictured here is a clan house similar to what many Indian villages built in the early 19th century. It was a dwelling that served as living quarters for several families of the same lineage. Each family got its own space but shared a common fire. A clanhouse of this size could have housed 30 to 50 people. Each house had a chief.

Although we did run into more rain here, it was an interesting and worthwhile trip.

Back in Ketchikan, we decided to walk around town a bit and do a little shopping. Joe was on the hunt for pretzels, the rest of us on the hunt for souvenirs and the freebie charms given away in the jewelry stores. Our leisurely walk ended up leading us straight to Creek Street, a wooden board walk in the old "red light district" on which Ketchikan's famous Dolly's House is located. Creek Street today is a collection of museums, historic homes, and shops built on pilings above Ketchikan Creek.

Ketchikan creek was full of salmon. I can see where Ketchikan got the nic name of "the Salmon Capital of the World".

Another view of Creek Street from the other end of the boardwalk.

Back at the docks I enjoyed the puzzle perfect views of the boats in the harbor and the houses on the hillside.

Friday night was the night of the Chocoholic Buffet on board the Pearl. Unfortunately Ken and I ended up at the Liar's club and the Quest Game show instead---neither of which we were particularly impressed with.

Saturday morning we woke up early to the ship really rocking and rolling. It was rather interesting watching the crew and passengers trying to move about the boat. Apparently higher then expected surf came our way and things were thrown around the ship. The stores were closed for most of the day while they cleaned up the mess. Dishes in the buffet restaurant were thrown onto the floor, so when we got there they were handing them out of big tubs. Potted plants were toppled and rolling around. Even the pool areas (outside and in the spa) were emptied due to the water in them being sloshed out. The pools remained closed the rest of the trip. But by afternoon the surf subsided and the ship was back to being calm.