July 18, 2011 - A Day in Ketchikan

This church is just up the block from our apartment. We did attend here and heard some good preaching. The pastor left for his vacation in WISCONSIN!

This is also right next to the bus stop so I am here often. Today I am catching the bus to head downtown. 

I took the bus to the south end of Ketchikan and got out to walk and to see some of the town that I have only viewed from the bus.

Many of the businesses in the area have totems. This totem is just like one at Saxman.

Totem Bight Historical Park on a Sunny Day - July 12

Two sunny days in a row! So out again to capture the colors! This time to Totem Bight Historical Park which is north of Ketchikan. Here are several of the totems. I talked about these in a previous post so I will just show the pictures, which are much more colorful.

And some of the beautiful rainforest...

I know this is the back of the totem pole. However, it is what I wanted to show. Notice how the actual totem pole is not in the ground, but is attached to another pole which gets buried deep. This helps to prevent damage to the actual pole.

And more fantasy driftwood. I imagine so many creatures as I see the different pieces of driftwood. I wish I could collect and display them all, but some of these are very large. I hope others that come to this area enjoy them as much as I do.

 This one is so awesome and it was huge.

More "waiting for the bus" pictures...

 That is my backpack next to the phone booth. I carry it with me everywhere I go. I didn't even bring a purse to Alaska.

Across the road. How would you like to live in that house???

Ketchikan, Ward Lake, Bears - July 9th

 Raven Stealing the Sun Totem Pole stands outside the library in Ketchikan.

Viewing the Ketchikan Creek from the deck behind the library.

I have been asked if I call it soda or pop. I guess it depends on where one is from. However, leave it to Alaska to solve the question...

 This sign is posted along Creek Street.

I love Creek Street. The colors even change with the mood of the day (it all depends on the sunshine).
 

I found these ducks floating in the harbor, trapped by a rock. I bet they had a duck race.

Most of the stores have some Alaskan icon outside to grab the attention of visitors. I love this darling killer whale.

 Some pink flowers....

 Ketchikan harbor...

 These bins, which contain kid-size life preservers, are located all around the harbors. They were around Sitka, as well.

 The Harbor Master 

In front of a business along the harbor.

The moon.... and facing the other direction...here is the sun setting.

Ward Lake has a trail all around the lake. It also has a nice picnic, shelter area with beach. On the other side of the lake is a campground. Juel and I walked through the rainforest all around the lake. It was a beautiful walk.  Here are some of the pictures...

This young boy was playing with friends along the beach.

All along the trails here and other trails through the rainforests there are these wonderful informational signs.

 These garbage bins have locks that are "bear protected."

 Salmon berries are ripening.


After Ward Lake we went to watch for bears at Herring Cove.

The eagles are perched all along the boardwalk. They wait for bears to drop pieces of any fish they might catch. This night we didn't even see the bears attempt to catch a fish. Instead they ate the lush grass along the creek. 

Belted Kingfisher

 This bear came up behind us. There were about 10 people watching the bears down by the creek. We were standing in front of our parked cars. Then there was a dirt road. This little area was just on the other side of the road. The bear did his "business" as he kept an eye on us, then turned his back and walked away.

The eagles flew in and out, but continued to perch on the boardwalk and in the surrounding trees.

Just before we were ready to leave we were rewarded with the appearance of this seal looking for salmon.