OUR ALASKAN CRUISE: JUNE 2024

Part Four: Ketchikan, Alaska‘s First City

Leaving Vancouver behind our first day was spent at sea. It was a delightful time for me with so many new experiences. Hey, we were going some place new and I didn’t have to drive! I don’t believe they would let me anyhow.

There was the ship itself to explore which delighted me to no end. Remember this was my first cruise and I didn’t know what to expect. Beside the food, there were all kinds of shops, different lounges to relax in, decks to explore and just the wonderful view from our balcony. Slowly, ever so slowly I could feel the stress of the last several days just melting away.

In addition we had met up with our good friends, Dan and Betty, who had the adjoining cabin to ours. We always enjoy their company and were delighted that we would be spending this cruise together.

As we made our way toward our first stop, Ketchikan, there were several fascinating and informative presentations made by local Alaskan experts on the town and Alaska itself. Ketchikan appeared to be a town with a lot to discover. If, we had the time.

Our ship docked in Ketchikan at 7 am and we were told that everyone had to be back on board by 2:30 pm. And if you failed to be back on time, it was your responsibility to catch up with the ship. Since we had an excursion planned for the afternoon that left the morning to do any sightseeing on our own.

After breakfast – Dan and Betty, Barb and myself – left the ship and went into Ketchikan do some sightseeing. Unfortunately, we had neglected to pack certain significant items before we left home so we had to leave Dan and Betty and go do some shopping. Thankfully Betty does a fantastic blog so I was able to see through her eyes what I missed. Thanks much Betty.

This unique statue, though, I did not miss. If was visible from our balcony on the ship and was one of the first unique items you came upon as you left the ship. It is entitled The Rock. The plaque attached to it explains the various characters:

A Tlingit woman sits and plays her drum and sings of:

The miners who came and mined for gold

The pioneer woman who came looking for new opportunity

the fishermen who dared the sea for salmon

the loggers who harvested the trees

the pilots who took people out beyond the reach of any ship or road

Chief Johnson, on top of the rock who in the early days of Ketchikan greeted the ships that came from San Francisco and offered them trinkets for sale. Thus began a cultural exchange that continues to this day.

Time now for our afternoon excursion Lighthouse, Totems and Eagles

We were with our good friends, Dan and Betty on this excursion

This was coastal cruise along the Tongrass National Forest, the world’s largest temperate rainforest

we saw a number of bald eagles

we passed by Totem Bight State Park where you will find an Alaska Native Clan house and a total of 14 totem poles

we went to Guard Island on which is built the very first lighthouse ever constructed in Alaska.

During the cruise we sipped on hot chocolate and enjoyed a number of Alaskan treats, including a salmon dip and smoked salmon. I enjoyed every bite of every item.

All too soon our day was quickly coming to a conclusion. It was time to return to our ship and depart for our next port. I would absolutely love to go back to Ketchikan. However, if by cruise ship I would not book any excursions. There is simply too many fascinating places to visit and I would want to visit as many as I could.

One last thing. They say it rains a lot in these parts. I guess this gauge is meant to prove it. Thankfully, though, we’ve not had a drop of rain so far. How lucky can one get.

Time to set sail. See you at our next port of call.