August 25, 2016

August 25, 2016

We awoke in the port of Ketchikan at the southern tip of the Alaskan Panhandle. Contrary to its reputation as the rainiest spot in the US, the sky was clear.  It is a gorgeous day. Up early and finished with breakfast, we gave ourselves the walking tour. We started at the point Ketchikan Creek enters the bay.  Here the small stream is lined with ‘turn of the century’ wooden houses on stilts.  In its heyday, this was the red light district where the few women living here entertained their clients.
  

Further along, the creek climbs a series of waterfalls where we watch salmon hurl themselves upstream.  A seemingly impossible task.  Yet we find dozens in the quiet areas above the cataracts. Even these have to be careful as we watch more than one get swept back below.  The goal of all these salmon is to return to the place of their birth, and in their last breath, spawn a new generation. The Salmon Hatchery is closed for remodeling so we return downtown and visit the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center where we learn about the Alaskan Rainforest and the bounty it provides the state. Afterwards we do a little shopping and then return to the ship for lunch.

After lunch the ship left port and began the long journey back to Seattle. One fond memory Aimee has of our last cruise to Alaska was the gifts the cabin steward left on our bed every night.  Yes, there was a piece of chocolate, but also a towel elaborately folded into some animal shape.  Aimee loves the monkey, the elephant, and the moose.