Leslie May 30, 2008
We spent part of the morning trying to get internet access. Eventually we learned from VerizonWireless that they don’t provide any data service in Alaska. So much for the elaborate WIFI based system Robert configured for the 5th wheel. We’ll have to rely on campground services when available or public sites. Someone in the campground told us that you can park across the street from the Best Western in Ketchikan and use their wireless. We may try that tomorrow.
This afternoon we visited downtown Ketchikan. The US Forest Service runs a Discovery Center on the animals and rain forest of south-eastern Alaska. We visited the information centers to try to determine which tourist venues we’ll visit. Although there are areas on the island where bear are common, we’re probably too early in the season to see a significant number.
We were lucky, the sun shone most of the day. Ketchikan is known for receiving an average of 12 ½ feet of rain every year!
Rain gauge
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We took the opportunity to walk the old areas of town. Creek Street, buildings built on stilts, is now an area of tourist shops. Until 1953 the old wooden buildings housed brothels.
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Ketchikan is known for totem poles. From my reading totem poles were never intended to last. They were built to commemorate some event. Through Ketchikan they have built replicas of the old totem poles.
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We asked several natives where we should go to buy fresh fish to cook for dinner. Other than just walking along the docks and accosting fishermen, several people suggested the same place along the docks. After finding out that this store is open every day, we bought just enough King salmon for tonight’s dinner. We came back and grilled the salmon while looking out over the water. We also stopped by a grocery store, "Alaska and Proud". What was most funny was that tehy carried a large number of Kirkland products. For those of you who don’t frequent Costco, Kirkland is the house brand for Costco. I really don’t think that is an Alaskan made product. As Robert was grilling, I took more pictures of the bald eagles. This adult bald eagle was most cooperative; he or she saw on the fence for nearly an hour while I tried to move a bit closer for a good picture. Enjoy!
Bald Eagle - adult.
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and another juvenile eagle
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and I think I missed posting yesterday, a float plane coming in over Ketchikan. They land every few minutes.
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more later,
Leslie
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