Alaska: An American Beauty: Day 4- Catching Up in Ketchikan


Welcome to Alaska...Typical weather, but it changes all the time!!

Good morning blog readers...Thank you for joining me today in amazing Ketchikan! I titled today's entry "Catching up to Ketchikan" because a visit to Ketchikan will instantly remind you that to truly understand Alaska means that you have to be open to rethink and relearn what are the United States. Alaska as a state is the outlier, the game changer, the rogue agent, the one that will catch you by surprise. To experience Alaska, you have to catch up to their lifeways, because until you see state #49, you'll struggle to understand what it's all about. In simple terms, it's big, it's beautiful, and it's breathtaking. Let's discuss these points below as I share with you my day in Ketchikan!

I thought this picture put the ship's scale in perspective...big busses...bigger ship!

Ketchikan- They love to carve things!

Ketchikan is known as Alaska's "First City" as it's typically the first city people visit when they come to Alaska due to its southeastern location within the state and it's a typical port of call for cruise ships and the Alaska Marine Highway. The center of town has a variety of shops for the curious, but the real adventures happen when you venture outside of town...

Even the carvings of wild animals are wild!

Signs like the one posted below are not trying to be cute and quaint. They are legitimate...Join me on a hike through the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary located eight miles outside of Ketchikan.

The sign says it all...

Bear Highway...

While I learned many interesting new facts on the hike through the Rainforest Sanctuary, the most compelling information focused on the topic of bears...For example, the picture above reveals a bear path through the brush. Apparently bears do not like extra work, so once they blaze a trail in the underbrush, they tend to stay on their trail. Notice it's a well-worn trail...

A Climbing Tree

Climbing trees are trees where bears teach their cubs how to climb. Apparently, the cub is taken to the base of the climbing tree and plopped down. Mom briefly wanders off then rushes her cub with nipping and clawing until the cub climbs the tree...Notice that this tree has plenty of fresh marks for this subject...

A leisurely stroll adjacent to the Tongass National Forest...won't be quiet for long...

The path above is lovely. A gentle breeze, the warm sun, and cool air fill your senses. It's peaceful and serene, and you are surrounded by beauty. Just around the corner is a bear having a snack in the bushes two feet from the trail. There are few times in life where I have known true fear...this was one of them. Our group stumbled on the bear while it was eating and some could hear it growling. While I did not hear the growling, I certainly saw its hulking mass just off the trail. A few seconds passed in what seemed a few hours and as we got our bearings (pun intended) the bear made a decision for us and took off into the under brush. A remarkable moment, one that I will remember forever.

There's no place like home...an abandoned bear den.

Our trail friends...the hiking group observes a bear by the water.

The bear seen above is bear number two of our three bear hiking trip. While in the Alaska Rain Forest Sanctuary we saw three classic Alaskan animals. The previously discussed bears, bald eagles, and salmon spawning in the stream. The eagle below is a permanent resident at the wild life sanctuary as it was injured and it can no longer care for itself. These are impressive birds in the wild, and when you seem them up close, you can truly appreciate their majestic stature.

Rescued and content...A beautiful Bald Eagle

Totem pole carving...as real as it gets

I've long had an affinity for Northwest Coast Indians. Their tribal areas areas are in remote, unforgiving parts of the world and they thrived in a social microcosm isolated by The Rocky Mountains, harsh winters, and a love of water. From a sociological point of view I truly enjoy their fascination with totem pole carving and mask making. Above you see a master totem pole carver in action. His work is delicate and deliberate, his mannerisms gentle and serene, and in several months time he will add to the great collection of totem poles at the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary by finishing his latest piece shown above.

Around every corner is another great view!

An Alaskan BBQ: Fresh and delicious

After a morning of touring and hiking my return to the Island Princess was a welcome respite. Meals are always an adventure and today's surprise was a topside Alaskan BBQ with all of the trimmings! My plate above highlights the line's offerings, including: Fresh BBQ salmon, BBQ shrimp skewers, whitefish kebabs, fish cakes, and Cajun rice. The clouds dispersed, the sun appeared, and our ship set sail at 1:00, heading through the Inside Passage to our next port of call of Juneau, Alaska's state capital. En route we were treated non-stop rolling scenery that was a feast for the eyes and balm for the soul. Enjoy an afternoon with me below...