The ship glided into our first port of call, Ketchikan, around 5 am. The picture is what I saw from our balcony. Famous for colorful totem poles, rainy skies, steep streets and a lush island setting, Ketchikan is a favorite stop for travelers. You can get here by boat or you can get here by plane, that’s pretty much it. It’s the 4th largest city in Alaska. We spent the day here, and I can see why it’s a favorite destination.
It rains here a lot, and today was no exception. We set off for our bus tour of the town and Totem Bight State Historical Park in a drizzling mist, and while others aboard were ziplining and seaplaning to the Misty Fjord, I was really glad we were able to see the totems in this lovely park. We also had an enthusiastic college student from central Utah as our bus driver and tour guide; we hope Rick’s energy level last through the whole tourist season.
Ketchikan in the 1930’s was known as the “salmon-canning capital of the world”. After our return from the totem park, we tried to stimulate the local economy just a bit with some purchases of incredibly delicious smoked salmon, vacuum packed for easy travel.
We had booked a second tour for the afternoon, called a Feast of Alaska, which was more an amazing dining experience than a tour per se. Our group only had to walk to the end of the pier edge to a restaurant where we were treated to a multi-course meal of Alaskan seafood specialties, from fish cakes, to grilled shrimps, crab two ways, seafood chowder, both salmon and halibut, finishing with a bread pudding with local berries and rhubarb. I was only able to get one picture, but we left with a recipe booklet and I am eager to try some of these at home.
Is it any wonder we are relaxing the rest of this day? After wine in the lounge and another delicious dinner, we are at sail tonight. Tomorrow is a very long day, starting with a 5 hour catamaran tour of the Tracy Arm Glacier at 7 am; at 1pm we dock in Juneau. When we return from Tracy Arm, in our afternoon in Juneau we have an opportunity to take a small group photography tour out to the Mendenhall Glacier, which also involves some sea time. We will have to pass on the State Capitol this trip, but I imagine Gov. Palin is at home in Wasilla. This will be our longest day of touring, and it also coincides with the longest day of the year.
The creek on Creek Street, former home of Ketchikan's bordellos:
Comments (8)
Marcia, thank you for the informative, well-written travelogue. We are on the August 5, Southbound version of your cruise and are avidly devouring all your tidbits about the Mariner and Regent cruises. This will be our first cruise ever so it is really exciting.
Posted by Brad Roberts | June 20, 2009 8:32 AM
Posted on June 20, 2009 08:32
We are enjoying your blog, tour and city descriptions, as well as Mariner experiences. We're catching the Mariner on the next sailing -when you get off, we get on :) at Seward. Thanks for doing this!
PS Great quality on photos!
Sherry
Posted by Sherry | June 20, 2009 8:39 AM
Posted on June 20, 2009 08:39
Your tour day sounds great, but the Feast of Alaska sounds even better!
Keep those reports coming!
Posted by nancyhol | June 20, 2009 8:40 AM
Posted on June 20, 2009 08:40
Sounds like a lovely day you spent in a lovely town. The feast sounds awesome.
Posted by candi | June 20, 2009 12:02 PM
Posted on June 20, 2009 12:02
Cute Photo of you two in your proper gear!
Posted by Barb Cabot | June 20, 2009 1:22 PM
Posted on June 20, 2009 13:22
I'm so glad you're enjoying your cruise so far. Yes, Ketchikan is one rainy place! I used to go there for work, and I've been in a lot of horizontal rain there. In Juneau, you should love seeing Mendenhall Glacier-it really is impressive. I don't know, but you're probably right, Sarah is probably here in Wasilla now.
Posted by Cindy Ruth | June 21, 2009 6:59 PM
Posted on June 21, 2009 18:59
I posted a couple of days ago and no answer nor do I see my posting.....so I guess it never posted. In your blog you leave a link that there is additional posting on the subject but when I print it to show my wife the linked part doesn't print. Anyway for me to print the entire posting??
Posted by Al Ross | June 24, 2009 6:42 AM
Posted on June 24, 2009 06:42
My burning question... Did you see Russia?
Posted by girasoli | August 8, 2009 8:53 PM
Posted on August 8, 2009 20:53