We like Ketchican! 6/13/11

Ketchikan was our last port of call and probably the most interesting of the Inside Passage cities we visited. Ketchikan is the (self-described) "Salmon Capital of the World." We didn't get any, darn it (never enough time on these short city visits). Jimmy and I were both surprised to learn that Ketchikan is actually located on an island: Revillagigedo Island (go ahead, try to pronounce it).  The city itself is just three miles long and three blocks wide, but there's plenty to do. 

We commenced a historic walking tour that started with St John's Episcopal Church, built almost entirely of native red cedar in 1903.  We continued (in our usual roundabout route) past totem poles and City Park, Deer Mtn Tribal Hatchery, to Creek Street (a former red-light district, but now a respectable part of town). 

At Creek Street, we discovered a $2 funicular tram (70% incline, rising 130 feet - takes 60 seconds for the 211-foot journey!) that transports folks to the top of Cape Fox Hill and a circle of fascinating totem poles. It was fun riding the funicular, and the view as we ascended was spectacular!  At the top, we milled around at the lodge there and then walked down the hill on Married Man's Trail (?) to the wonderful Totem Heritage Center.

Weather was on/off drizzly, but a drizzle doesn't importune us! When we finally got hungry, we stopped to eat nachos (YUM) at a coffee shop near the ship. 

We had to be back aboard ship by 3:30 and the ship left shortly thereafter. We disembarked our Southeast Alaska Pilots at 7:30-ish after nearly four days and made our way towards the US/Canadian border, which the Log reports we crossed at around 9:30 ... back in Pacific Time Zone! Now we sail for the City of Vancouver - our final stop! What a great trip this has been so far!!!