Ketchikan was our first port. It is a small fishing, mining and tourism town. Tourist season (i.e. the arrival of cruise ships and shoppers) easily doubles the average size of this town at 14,000 with the influx of shop owners and jewelry sales people. Yes, I said jewelry. We learned that the ports of Alaska are Tax Free-Duty Free ports, thus the reason for so many seasonal jewelry stores. There were also 2 other cruise ships at port in Ketchikan with us.
Our ‘excursion’, if you will, at Ketchikan was really not much more than a glorified bus drive. We rode with a bus full of 55 other tourists to Totem Blithe National Park to view ‘recreated’ totems which were cared for by the Nation Park. They were out in the open air.
Ketchikan is a Tempered Rain Forest, so the older totems were not outside.
Our 2nd stop on the tour was to a museum which had a few of the older, decaying totems inside.
Our 3rd stop was to an eagle reserve and fish hatchery. The eagle reserve part was simply 2 bald eagles which were injured in the Ketchikan region and unable to fly. Because of this, they were kept in the reserve. It was almost heartbreaking to see them kept inside.
The hatchery was for salmon. It was interesting to see and hear the tales of keeping the hatchery and the production of stronger, better fish. Really....
OK.. Enough of that! How about just a few random, beautiful pictures! These are of that day, some in Ketchikan, some at sea. Enjoy!
We enjoyed Ketchikan. Though.. I'll definitely choose a different excursion next time!
Still a wonderful side trip filled with memories.. :)
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