May 25, Ketchikan, AK

We are now in Ketchikan, Alaska. The one  main street in town is only 30 miles long. We have been from one end to the other. It is neat to see the totem poles everywhere. We hiked in an old forest at the North end up to a waterfall. At the South end is a fish hatchery and a supposed good place to fish although Garry didn't have any luck. The salmon are just beginning to come in so hopefully things will improve for him. There have been 3 - 4   cruise ships in port every day. All the stores are open and there is a  lot of hustle and bustle. We waited until the last one left and then walked around town. Of course by then most of the shops are closed which is much better on our wallets. The funny thing is there is a Tram that goes up the side of a hill to a hotel on top. That costs $ 2.00 each way when the ships are in port. I went up that evening for no cost. They really try to entice cruise passengers with stuff. One shop was selling Carribbean gems.  Why come to Alaska to buy something from the carribbean? The town was really more attractive when it was quieter. The weather has been a mix of sun and rain with the temps in the mid to high 50's. A little warmer when the sun is out. We have been overnighting in the Safeway parking lot every night. The parking lot is uninteresting but we are right along the water and the view out our front window  is fabulous. We are looking right out on the landing area for the sea planes! There are several eagles that have been flying around. We saw our first Orca Whales. We also see lots of ravens (GO RAVENS!!! Sorry, not that kind of Ravens.)The airport is across the inlet and on the island across from where we are parked. We are just in the outskirts of the old down town so we can watch the ferries, the cruise ships, barges and the local fishermen come and go. It is staying light until after 10 so we are getting to bed really late as we are so entranced with all the activity. A private 80 foot sailboat/yacht came in last nigt.

I am at a laundromat doing laundry now in preparation of our ferry trip over to the more isolated Prince of Wales Island tthis afternoon.. It is $ 3.50 a load and I have 2. Yikes!!!! Cell andd Internet will be a little scarce over there so I don't know when we can update again.