| Page Views: 1,001 Last Visit to Ketchikan: July, 2006 | Ketchikan, Alaska by starship - last update: Nov 25, 2008 |
Downtown Ketchikan on Foot Our first visit to Ketchikan was on July 4, 2002. Weather-wize, it was not a beautiful day. But the town was buzzing with activity because they were holding a real, live, honest-to-goodness 4th of July Parade! It was a real home-town type of Parade with the local high school football team, batton-twirlers, kids throwing candy to the crowds and it was great and very Americana!! Also in the parade were both older and young members of the native-American Indian tribes dressed in tribal costumes of varied colors and decorated with mother-of-pearl buttons. At least two cruise lines even had floats in the parade. The whole event really made for a very unique and colorful memory in my mind.
In June, 2004, the skies were again overcast and there was no parade this time, but Ketchikan has a palpable atmosphere. I think the arrival of cruise ships each day makes everyone roll out the welcome mat and look forward to a new day---not to mention new profits but storekeepers are very friendly. When you arrive in Ketchikan, you are full of expectation. Maybe it's similar to what people in the "Gold Rush" era felt--that anything is possible.
In July, 2006, it was sunny and very warm. We missed 4th of July here by only a day and I was sorry to miss the parade. Seeing Ketchikan under sunny skies gave it a very different atmosphere and I enjoyed the change. |
| Trolly driver with his Husky |
|  | The Trolleys I love this photo! Waiting on the pier, this trolley tour drive obviously has a loyal friend in his husky dog. The trolley is being pulled by a matched pair of draft horses. What a great way to see Ketchikan! This is my favorite sight in Ketchikan. When I see them, it's like coming home again! |
| | Creek Street Creek Street is considered one of, if not the most historic sight in Ketchikan. It certainly has a "colorful" past and a unique setting on Ketchikan Creek. Built on a series of pilings and boardwalks, it was home to establishments housing "ladies of the night." "Dolly's is the most famous and is open for tours every day. Actually this area is quite sedate, quaint and elegant compared to some of its counterparts I have seen around the world (i.e, has anyone seen the quite graphic etching on the wall of the Coloseum in Rome?)
Today the colorful buildings of Creek Street are home to gift shops selling an array of clothing, jewelry, gifts, and smoked salmon products, etc. If you miss Creek Street, you haven't been to Ketchikan. |
> Add to your Custom Travel Guide [What's This?]
| Pros: | "Totem poles, Creek Street, Sea Planes, the gorgeous scenery!!" | | Cons: | "You're lucky if you see the sun!" | | In A Nutshell: | "The Pioneering Spirit and Surprising Vibrancy!" |
starship's Ketchikan Travel Tips
 starship's Ketchikan Travelogues | | | |
|
 Comments for starship about Ketchikan | | | | |
deecat Mon Dec 1, 2008 04:14 UTC
It's been 2 years since I've visited these pages, and I agree even more that they are 5-star tips. Excellent explanations...I learned a great deal. Loved Circle of the Clan of Totems. Bravo! | HORSCHECK Mon Nov 24, 2008 22:22 UTC
Another gorgeous page of yours about Alaska. Especially the Circle of the Clan Totems looks fabulous. | scottishvisitor Thu Sep 18, 2008 20:27 UTC
Loved the totem pole park and the natural sounding names here!! | volopolo Wed Apr 23, 2008 03:30 UTC
Another excellent page with a lot of information! |
|
|
email me
add as friend
