As promised, the view from our apartment.

Ketchikan gave us the lot today. It was raining lightly when we woke, cloudy till lunch, glorious sunshine in the afternoon and a comfortable 18c all day. We caught the Blueberry Festival in the morning followed by the usual SIM card dance in a new country. A visit to a couple of shops is mandatory as is visit to the infamous Creek Street, the red light district of the early 1900’s.

Four cruise ships in town made the downtown area impossible. Ketchikan receives almost 1 million cruise ship visitors per year. Like the rain, very hard to avoid.

After lunch we headed 10k out of town for a decent walk through the forest along Ward Creek. It was great to get out of town and to explore the forest that we have been sailing past for the last few days.

Our apartment is on top of the shop.

Creek Street with the infamous Dolly’s House the first green building. Dolly owned the brothel, was the only working lady, and sold bootleg whiskey as well as her favours from 1919 to 1954.

More Creek Street

No we didn’t

Ketchikan is a modern town heavily reliant on tourism and fishing. It is quaint in its architecture but very functional. Very friendly and it seems able to keep many of its young people. Gorgeous in summer, not sure I would like to be here in winter.

The culture of the original people is well respected. We see many Indians in various types of employment and the proliferation of totem poles is testament to the respect awarded to the indigenous race.

Blueberry pie eating contestant. No hands allowed

Softball batting practice

Mid term elections are coming soon

Collette in a serious political discussion with the governor’s representative

More Ketchikan

We have been told now about 10 times that we need Bear Spray when we go walking in Alaska. We were told yet again when we went to the visitors centre to pick up maps for Ward Creek. So we went to Walmart to buy some. It was hidden in the guns and ammo section so it was a toss up between bear spray and a Winchester rifle. Bear spray was cheaper, but not much.

It was fantastic to escape the bustle of Ketchikan and wander through the beautiful dense forest, breath the fresh air and look for bears around every corner.

They take their warnings seriously

Bear scat, the closest we came to bears today

Following are some images from the forest and Ward Creek.

Ketchikan is a very interesting place and I can see why people rave about it. It is a coastal lifestyle with mountains and forest on the doorstep. Worth the visit.

Tomorrow it’s back on the ferry for a 9.5 hr trip to Petersburg. This time we sail at 9am so we are hoping for a warm and sunny day.

I will leave you with a few more images from around Ketchikan, Alaska.