We woke to drizzly rain and fog which wasn't conducive to a float plane flight. We were booked to do an 11am flight over the Misty Fjords National Park which looked beautiful from the footage on the tour company, Island Wings' website. But just as we were about to board the plane we were called into the office and given the bad news…. either cancel and get a refund or go but on a different flight path to where the sun was shining over the coast. There were 5 of us and we all opted to take the alternative route which flew over the coastline and inlets around Ketchikan. We were lucky enough to see some breaching whales but from the air they were a mere dot in the ocean but we did see them! We made one stop on a lake where we could get out onto a rocky beach and stretch our legs in the sun. On our arrival back into Ketchikan it was still raining so it was good to escape that weather for a little while.
After being dropped back into the centre of the town our first stop was to a restaurant on the wharf for a meal of large crab legs and chowder which was yummy especially the chowder. By this time the rain had eased and we decided to do the suggested walking route around the town.
The route to us around Creek Street and the national historic area and a lovely walk through the park where we could see the salmon swimming upstream and also all the dead spawning salmon which were on the nose! Surprisingly there were still people fishing for them…. not sure I would like to eat them in a half dead state. The salmon ladder was interesting where the salmon jump up a series of ramps to get from the bottom part of the stream to the top to escape a series of rocks and rapids.
We walked back to the city centre via the notorious and pretty Creek Street which was the Red Light district during the Gold Rush.
Next on the agenda was a casual browse through the various shops and yes we did manage to buy a few "souvenirs"!
A leisurely walk back to the ship now in sunshine put the finishing touches to a very enjoyable day.
Our sailaway on deck 11 was very social as usual and very scenic.
One day at sea then our next port is Vancouver.
Quick Facts:
Founded: 1883
Population: 8,142
Climate: Low 60sF during the peak of summer, average 152 inches rainfall per year
Language: English
Currency: US Dollar (USD)
Sailing into Ketchikan
"The Rock" - a monument to Ketchikan's first peoples and pioneers
Arriving at "Island Wing Air Services" for our float plane ride.
Some happy passengers
Scenery from the air with a couple of whale sightings
We made a "beach" landing for a visit
Downtown Ketchikan
Creek Street
Another Totem in the Totem Bight State Park
Spawning salmon
The salmon ladder to get up stream
There's a bear in there….
Beautiful stained glass panels along the promenade
Bye Bye Ketchikan
Almost a sunset
Bye Bye Mr Pilot
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