Ketchikan, United States Travel Journals & Blogs

Traveler Pensioner's Pilgrimage plus 1
- May 20, 2023 · ☁️ 16 °C Altitude: 27 m
  United States Alaska Ketchikan Ketchikan Harbor 55.343074, -131.64668255°20’35” N 131°38’48” W
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Day 22
Ketchikan. Cruise day 9
May 20 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
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We arrive at Ketchikan early, 0700. This idyllic town, the second last stop on our journey through the Alaskan inside passage, is beautiful.

Another town along the Alaskan coast without any road access. Sea and air only.

We soon join our walking tour group, and explore some of the rich history of the town of Ketchikan.

Another beautiful day exploring the rich culture and landscapes of this magnificent part of the world.

"Ketchikan is an Alaskan town facing the Inside Passage, a popular cruise route along the state's southeastern coast. It's known for its many Native American totem poles, on display throughout town. Nearby Misty Fiords National Monument is a glacier-carved wilderness featuring snowcapped mountains, waterfalls and salmon spawning streams. It's also home to rich wildlife including black bears, wolves and bald eagles."Read more
Sensational pic [Deb]
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Traveler USA 2019
- Aug 26, 2019, 12:35pm · 🌧 13 °C Altitude: 9 m
  United States Alaska Ketchikan Thomas Basin 55.34, -131.6433355°20’24” N 131°38’36” W
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Day 8
Ketchikan - our first stop in Alaska
August 26, 2019 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 13 °C
A rainy day today for our first stop in Alaska.
That didn't stop us and we walked the boardwalk at Creek Street where we watched seals unsuccessfully trying to catch salmon.
The Lumberjack Show was very entertaining. A little like the Easter Show woodchopping but with lots of water, throwing axes and log rolling and power saws as well.Read more
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Traveler Dana’s Auszeit 2019
- Aug 30, 2019 · ☀️ 17 °C Altitude: 14 m
  United States Alaska Ketchikan Creek Street Historic District 55.34168, -131.6430655°20’30” N 131°38’35” W
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Day 40
Ketchikan
August 30, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C
Ketchikan ist die Lachshauptstadt der Welt, außerdem die erste Stadt in Alaska und der regenreichste Ort in Alaska.
Am Vormittag nochmal die Natur vorbeigleiten lassen und Anfahrt auf den Hafen vom Helikopterdeck genießen. Dann geht es wieder in die Natur in den Tonga-Regenwald mit Zedern, Western Hemlock, Lachs, Adlern, verschiedenen Vögeln und Schwarzbären. Wir haben sogar eine Bärenmama mit ihrem ca. 5 Monate altem Kind gesehen. Das ist kein Zoo gewesen, auch wenn es sich ein bisschen so angefühlt hat. Am Ende noch ein Sonnenuntergang und springende Fische.Read more
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Canada and Alaska
- Sep 16, 2019, 12:43pm · 🌧 12 °C Altitude: 4 m
  United States Alaska Ketchikan Ketchikan Harbor 55.341376, -131.6474855°20’29” N 131°38’51” W
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Day 18
Ketchikan
September 16, 2019 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 12 °C
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As expected it’s raining in Ketchikan, oh and a little chilly. We docked at 10am so a leisurely breakfast before we rug up and disembark.
We’ve booked to see the Lumberjack show. So once we avoid all the puddles and rain we make it to the venue. The show is very entertaining and has us in stitches. There’s hundreds of people in the bleaches so we wait for them to disperse before we leave. Mum starts to chat to the compare and drops the name - Jack O’Toole. For those playing along at home Jack is the Australian champion woodchopper from the 60’s & his son & grandson are champions as well. Jack was Mums Mums cousin....
Anyway all the Lumberjacks came running over to meet mum because Jack O’Toole’s relative from Australia has come to see their show.
These men were excited, one even hugged mum he was so excited. They all wanted a photo with mum, YOHO.
One young man was from Tamworth and was overwhelmed because there was someone from Australia with logging history talking to him.... I’d say he was a little home sick.

We leave and head down to Creek Street, the famous houses on stilts. There’s too many tourists so we have a quick look then head to the local cafe. I’d looked the cafe up earlier and thought how appropriate and we’ll have to make time to go.
Pioneer Cafe is significant on two counts in my eyes
1. It’s a traditional diner and there’s not many of them left
2. Dad worked for Ansett Pioneer so the last hoora before our trip ends.

Lachlan can’t get over the fact that the drinks keep getting topped up and it doesn’t cost extra. Tea, coffee & soft drinks that are bottomless.... 😳
Mum orders “Shrimp & French Fries”. Lachlan an “Alaska Burger & French Fries” & I get a cheese burger with mushrooms & a side of fries. Lachlan’s burger is nearly as big as his head and did an awesome job at eating it. The staff smile every time they walk past. I don’t think they thought he’d finish it.
We start to wander back to the ship and surprise, surprise the heavens open up. We’d had enough of the tourist shops so the quicker we get back the better. We’re a little wet and one umbrella didn’t survive the wind so that’s been donated to the local rubbish bin.
Back on the ship to dry out and relax. We sail this afternoon & tomorrow then disembark the day after. Enjoying every moment of this trip.

Wonder what the poor people are doing 💙Read more
Traveler Apart from the rain, and apparently it is nearly always pouring in Ketchikan, it sounds like just a wonderful day. Loved the story with the lumberjacks and the photos with your Mum are lovely. How special was that!! Food looks delicious... and fascinating looking at this special town. Drying off back on board, ready for the evening and more wonderful time sailing... marvellous trip. Keep enjoying xx
9/16/19Reply
Traveler Grandma was definitely in her element there!! She would have loved it!!
9/17/19Reply
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Traveler Alaska & the Yukon
- Sep 1, 2017, 11:15am · ⛅ 14 °C Altitude: 54 m
  United States Alaska Ketchikan Ketchikan Harbor 55.344294, -131.64970955°20’39” N 131°38’59” W
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Day 20
Ketchikan, AK
September 1, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
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Have travelled south overnight to the port of Ketchikan for an 11am arrival. It's a much larger town based around the fishing and timber industries as well as tourism. We are the 5th ship in port today and can't dock until after 1:45pm. People who have earlier shore excursions have to use the tenders to go ashore. Ours is this afternoon, so we wait for the docking.

The port is a hive of activity with float planes and helicopters buzzing between the cruise ships. All manner of sea craft go to and fro on this waterway. Ketchikan gets the most rainfall in Alaska. It is fine and sunny this morning.

A large portion of the waterfront properties in Ketchikan are built on stilts over the water - there is so little land that can actually be built on as the mountains rise steeply so quickly. Property is quite expensive here in Ketchikan because of this - so little land can be built on. An interesting fact we learn is that homes cannot be accessed by cars.....they are accessed by stairs and elevated timber pathways which are called streets and avenues.Read more
Traveler very pretty
9/4/17Reply
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Eogje USTur USA2023
- May 23, 2023, 10:56am · ☁️ 13 °C Altitude: 8 m
  United States Alaska Ketchikan Thomas Basin 55.340544, -131.64572455°20’26” N 131°38’45” W
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Day 5
Alaskan King Crab company
May 23 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C
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Skipping the king crap for now, only small ones...
Anne Lise Rørstad 🤗
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Traveler North Pacific Passage
- Aug 16, 2019, 8:30am · ☁️ 17 °C Altitude: Sea level
  United States Alaska Ketchikan Thomas Basin 55.340013, -131.64105955°20’24” N 131°38’28” W
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Day 9
Ketchikan - town built over the water
August 16, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
The shoreline of Ketchikan is a rocky cliff with little land at sea level. It has the second highest tidal change in the world (up to 20 feet). The tide is out when we sail in leaving the pilings that hold up the roads and buildings exposed. Almost all of the dock area and Main Street are elevated over the water.
It's so steep that timber roads are erected along the cliffs and are joined by staircases which are also designated as roads or avenues. It's literally, a cliff side town.Read more
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Traveler Alaska 2018
- Jul 25, 2018, 10:07pm · 🌙 19 °C Altitude: Sea level
  United States Alaska Ketchikan Thomas Basin 55.338756, -131.64428655°20’20” N 131°38’39” W
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Day 7
Ketchikan
July 25, 2018 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 19 °C
Landgang in Ketchikan, der Lachshauptstadt der Welt. Zusammen mit 10 anderen Wagemutigen ging es mit Jeeps über Stock und Stein durch den Tongass Wald, nach Amazonas der grösste Regenwald der Erde. Endstation war ein See, den wir per Ruderboot überquert hatten, danach kurze Wanderung im Wald.Read more
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Traveler Pensioner's Pilgrimage plus 1
- May 20, 2023, 5:30pm · ☁️ 15 °C Altitude: 18 m
  United States Alaska Ketchikan Creek Street Historic District 55.341667, -131.64333355°20’30” N 131°38’36” W
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Day 22
Ketchikan. Flora and Fauna
May 20 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C
A series of images of flora and fauna captured throughout our day exploring Ketchikan. Video is of Harbour Seals - a ridiculous length of time for me to identify beyond a "really big" fish.
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Traveler North Pacific Passage
- Aug 16, 2019, 11:30am · ☁️ 18 °C Altitude: 13 m
  United States Alaska Ketchikan Creek Street Historic District 55.342299, -131.64148655°20’32” N 131°38’29” W
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Day 9
Fish Creek, Ketchikan - Salmon Ladder
August 16, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
The salmon ladder has been constructed to provide an alternative route upriver for the salmon to spawn. They arrive at this point exhausted and languish in the eddies gaining strength and muscle tissue to make the last dash upriver.Read more
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