50 Years of Serving

                                          50 Years of Serving Alaska

As we start the summer season, the Alaska Marine Highway starts it's 50th year of service. The first commissioned ship in the fleet was the M/V Malaspina, which come out of the yard with a special paint job for the celebration. The Alaska Marine Highway now has a fleet of 11 ships that play a vital role in southeast Alaska, as it is one of the most efficient ways to transport freight, passengers and vehicles in and out of the smaller communities that make up the Inside Passage.

The Alaska Marine Highway(AMH) has a route of 3,500 miles (5,600 km) and runs from Bellingham,Wash. up the Inside Passage to Skagway, Ak. and west out to the  Aleutian Chain. You can also catch the Alaska Marine Highway at its terminal in Prince Rupert, B.C., Canada. The ferries serves communities in Southeast Alaska that have no road access, and the vessels transport people, freight, and vehicles. The AMH carries around 350,000 passengers and 100,000 vehicles every year.

The Alaska Marine Highway is a great way to take in all the beauty that the Inside Passage has to offer. All the main vessels have accommodations, but some like to camp out in the solarium and the fresh air. One of the great benefits of traveling on the AMH system is that you are able to get off at any port and explore it for a day or two or until the next vessel calls and takes you on your way to the next stop on your trip.

With the celebration of  the Alaska Marine Highway they are offering some special rates for travel. You can get all the information you will need to plan you trip to Alaska on their web site,  http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/ . So, if you have been wishing and wanting to visit Alaska, this the year to do it. Hope to see you in Ketchikan!

Till Then,

K-townKing

   

K-town's Totems

Chief Kayan Pole In Whale Park

 Ketchikan is home to a large collection of totem poles both original and replicas. Totems played a very large part in the local Native culture of Southeast Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. Ketchikan is fortunate to have three tribes of natives in and around the Ketchikan area. They are, the Tlingit, the Haida and the Tsimshian and each have their own unique styles and technics for their art.

 

There are individual totem poles scattered all around downtown Ketchikan, but there are 3 parks that have great collections of replica totems and the Totem Heritage Center has a display of original totem poles and pieces of poles in their museum. The Heritage Center is in the city and all the totem parks are outside the city.  

There are 2 totem parks located about 10 miles north of K-town. The most popular is an Alaska State Park, Totem Bight State Historical Park. This park was created back in the 1930's and was constructed by the CCC(Civilian Conservation Corps)  boys. They were mostly local Native carvers and craftsmen. The park is a replica of a 18th century Tlingit clan village and consists of a clan house and about a dozen totem poles.
Right next door to Totem Bight is a newer park which is also quite impressive. It's the Potlatch Park and it has a carving shed, where you might catch a master carver working his magic, and Russian Museum. Both of these parks would make a great excursion when you are visiting Ketchikan.

Totem Bight Clan House

The 3rd totem park is located 2 1/2 miles south of K-town and is in the City of Saxman. This park is run by the city and there is a fee to view the park. The park is well cared for and the totems are kept up nicely. There are around 15 poles within the park and they have a small collection of pictographs, which are cool. 

Winter on Totem Row Saxman

So if you have an interest in totem poles and the many tales and stories they tell, be sure to visit one or all 4 of the totem exhibits on your visit to Ketchikan.

Till Next Time,

K-townKing 

   

I Love This Time of Year

Spring Time in Southeast Alaska

I love this time of year in SE. Alaska. Spring, I start looking for it around Thanksgiving. After my first winter I was ready to pack it in and head for drier pastures. But along come spring and it's what really sold me on staying in this pristine part of Alaska. No matter how miserable the winter, how badly you suffered from cabin fever, the first days of spring are welcomed warmly. I can't speak for everyone, but for me, the energy just leaps from me. This morning I awoke to the sound of song birds instead of the crunching of snow and ice under the passing vehicles. Even though the snow is lingering and the temperature is on the chilly side, there where many folks up and at'em, as evident on my morning walk. It was so enjoyable that I extended it by visiting Ward Lake and taking a stroll along the creek. Ya got to love it!

Along Ward Lake Creek

I wasn't the only one with the feeling of spring, it was apparent all through Ketchikan this fine morning. Downtown, they where busy pressure washing the grim of winter off several buildings, as well I saw several people cleaning the windows of their businesses. With only a few short weeks until the first cruise ship visitors, there is a lot to do before they arrive.

Speaking of a lot to do, I need to finish my laundry, so that'll do for now. If you haven't been out and experienced SPRING, GET OUTSIDE!!!


 SPRING ON & ENJOY,
the K-TOWN KING

Spring is Here

Light Spring Dusting

You all know the saying "Spring Time in Alaska It's 40 Below", well it's not quite that chilly, but spring has brought a lite dusting of snow and 20 degree temps for the last two days. This typical for this time of year in SE Alaska. It's the time of year when the fishermen (and fisherwomen) are gearing up for the Herring fishery(bait herring) and have been fishing for the first fresh halibut of the year. The trollers are still on the water looking to catch the elusive winter king salmon, one of my favorites.

Bringing Down Old Visitor Center

New Ketchikan Public Library

 These aren't the only folks in SE that are hard at work. In Ketchikan, we are busy finishing up the projects that have been in the works all winter. Over the winter the locals have seen 2 buildings demolished and the opening of our new library. The library was started last summer early fall and was completed just before Christmas and opened to the public in mid-January this year. 
Because of the improvements being made to the dock, the visitors bureau was brought down and the NEW   visitors center is being raised and should be ready for the first cruise ship visitors of the season. These are just the major projects, there are many smaller ones going to make your visit to Ktown as enjoyable as possible.

Ketchikan's First Hospital and Bawden St. Apts.

  We also lost a little bit of Ketchikan history over the winter the old "Bawden St. Apts." building was finally torn down and the eyesore will no longer be seen. The building started out as the Ketchikan General Hospital back in 1924( I have many friends that were born there) and functioned until a newer hospital was built in the mid '50's, it was then remodeled and ended as the apartment building. Sad to see it go! 

Well that's it for now, be sure to check back to see what's happening K-Town.

Till Then,
Shane, the K-Town King

Trout Fishing in Alaska? Here's 5 Useful Tips

In fishing, trout are known to be "fishin friends" to most anglers. These cagey fish are abundant everywhere. The native habitat of these cagey fish depends on the type of trout.
Now, as for brook trout their territory ranges from Labrador to Saskatchewan, while the rainbow trout covers a territory from Alaska to California.
On the other hand, the brown trout has found it's way into waters of every state in the US except  Florida, Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and Texas. It has been reported in the waters of some of these states, but according to local officials, no authentic reports have been received. It can be found in many parts of Canada.
In trout fishing, some factors should be considered if your going to be successful.

1) Make sure the the leader remains greaseproof. It will not sink far enough to cause any terrible when picking  the line and lure from the water, but if it is allowed to float; it will cast a shadow and scare the trout.

2)Trout are usually caught using a dry fly. When fishing for trout be sure to work the current as well as the pools. At times it may be difficult to keep the fly from sinking or dragging because of the conditions of the current, but it's just something the angler will have to figure out himself.

3)It is not good practice when fishing for trout to fish directly upstream so the flies, lines. and leader will float over the fish. The fisherman should make the cast from one side of the stream so the fly will only float over the fish.

4)It is important to make the first cast the best. A feeding trout will usually strike the first lure presented if it is cast so that it will float over his private domain. The angler should never fail to fish the lower end of the pool first even if the trout are rising in the middle or upper end.

5) Trout are sometimes very moody or selective and will try the patience of most anglers, hence, possibly a fly with less hackle will do the trick or it may be necessary to use a spent-wing fly or a fan wing.

Indeed, catching trout fishes can be a lot of fun. The anglers just need to remember these useful tips in order to bring fresh trout.

See Ya On The Water,

K-townking

Alaska State Parks

     I'll bet you didn't know that the State of Alaska operates 139 state parks. You did? Good for you! They have divided the state into 7 sections each with several camp sites, they are,Chugach State Park(21sites), Northern(15sites), Kenai(35sites), Southwest(2sites), Kodiak(6sites), Mat-su/Copper River Basin(18sites) and Southeast with 42 sites. Now the sites will very from site to site, some will have rustic cabins with a wood stove, benches, bunks (no mattresses), table, chairs, and kitchen counter. Outside furnishings usually include a fireplace/grill, and latrine. Cooking stove, firewood, and drinking water are not provided. There is a rental fee for most sites, it ranges from $20-$70 per night depending on the night and the season. You may find more info by contacting the Alaska State Parks at, www.alaskastateparks.org.
I'm going to talk about a couple of the Alaska State Parks in the Southeast section, mainly because that's where I live and write about here at "K-townking",( maybe not as often as I should, it is fishing time!!!) . The first Alaska State Park is one that I highly recommend "Totem Bight State Park". This state park has been around since the 1938. It was developed using funds from the "Civilian Conservation Corps"(CCC). Older skilled Native carvers were hired for the project, two things took place: the younger artisan learned the art of carving totem poles, and totems left in the woods to go back to the earth were either repaired or duplicated.

   If your visiting Ketchikan on a cruise ship this is one of the places I recommend to all the tourist  who ask me "What is there to see?". You'll get some fresh air, exercise, and learn something all in one Great park. There are 15 totem poles in the park and a clan house, which is an amazing building its self. One of the reasons I recommend and enjoy "Totem Bight" is its location. It was developed on a site were Natives once come to spend the summer. They would harvest the foliage, fish and other foods of the area. You can get the feel of what once was, I do. So, when your visiting K-town be sure to find a way to "Totem Bight Alaska State Park", you'll enjoy it!

Hope to See Ya in K-town,

  K-townKing

Cruising to Alaska-What to Look For in a Cruise Line.

Are you planning a cruise to Alaska this summer? If so, you are not a lone. The season has just gotten under way and K-town has had ships in port everyday since May 6. This is just the start as Ketchikan will have more than 800,000 visitors from the cruise ships alone. If you have never been on a cruise, you may be wondering what activities, facilities, and services can be found onboard. The activities found onboard will vary from one ship to another, but many cruise ships have a number of activities and services in common.
Cruises to Alaska are a popular vacation choice. Instead of visiting a beach,an amusement park, or going camping, more people are making the decision to book an Alaskan cruise. If you're interested in taking  an Alaskan cruise vacation, there are a number of decisions you must make. One of those decisions is finding a cruise line to vacation on.
Selecting a cruise line to vacation on may seem an easy decision, but for many it's not. There are a large number of cruise lines currently offering vacation cruises to Alaska. To find the cruise line that will offer what you want, you are encouraged to research and fully examine all of your choices. This should include examining well-known and lesser known cruise lines.
Some of the most well-know facilities found on cruise ships are dining halls, restaurants, and cafeterias. Large cruise ships may offer a number of onboard dining facilities. It's important to note that many of these dining facilities are considered upscale restaurants. In addition to a sit-down restaurant, there are usually a number of small eateries located onboard. Elegant dining restaurants are popular among cruises. To ensure that you are able to enjoy an elegant meal, you are encouraged to schedule a reservation as soon as you board ship.
Aside from dining facilities, bars and dance halls are also found on most cruise ships. As with most of the bars and dance halls found at home, there maybe age restrictions in place. If you are traveling with your family, they may have to complete other activities while you enjoy the nightlife at sea. If this should occur, you are in luck because most cruise ships have daycare centers and other activities geared towards children of all ages.
When examining each cruise ship line, I encourage you to view the company's online websites. These websites are sources of valuable information. In addition to learning about activities offered onboard, you can often take a virtual tour of the ship. This tour will give an idea as to what you should expect from a particular ship. If you don't have access to the internet, contact a cruise line representative.
Selecting a cruise line to vacation on is almost as important as the cruise ship itself. I encourage you to review feedback from previous customers. This feedback can easily be obtained online.You should also examine the cost of your Alaska cruise. You'll see that a number of cruise lines charge higher prices for their cruises. Your ability to afford these fees should be examined closely.
Take your time to research and examine each cruise line before coming to a decision. I also encourage you to take what you have learned and apply it to what you want and need out of your vacation. Doing so will ensure that you book a cruise with a cruise line that can provide what you want.

Hope to see you in Ketchikan, Alaska this summer,

the K-townking

Fishing License

Fishing is just one of the many forms of enjoyment I get to do with my family and friends. It's a time for relaxation, bonding with the grandson and a great escape from the pressures of daily life.

To be able to fish, you have to obtain a fishing license since it's required by law and the regulations regarding fishing varies from state to state.

Getting a license to fish is really quite simple. You may obtain your fish license in just a matter of minutes and be ready to go catch your limit.

The fishing license allows you to fish or possess any aquatic creature as long as it is authorized by the Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game regulations. The license is non-transferable and is not refundable. Your license is only valid for one year or season.

Fishing licenses vary from state to state, a fishing license can either be a resident license or a non-resident license. To qualify for resident license, you should been a resident for about 6 months, should be a local tax payer, must be a registered voter and have a valid driver's license from that state. In addition,one can not possess or apply for any resident hunting, fishing or trapping privileges in any other state or country. A non-resident fishing in another state must be accompanied by a person from that state.

There is no age limit for anyone to acquire a fishing license.People both young and old can obtain it.Usually a person under 12 may fish without one and in Alaska retired people get theirs for life. Everyone in between must obtain a fishing license.

Now that you have your license, grab some bait, fuel the boat and your ready to go FISHING !!!
See Ya On the Water

K-townking

The Wizard Come to K-town

Starting tomorrow, Nov. 5th and running through Sun. the 8th, the First City Player's will be performing the "Wizard of Oz" on the stage of Ketchikan High School. The performance will start at 7:30PM each night and will end Sunday with a matinee at 2:30PM. This sure to be a great time to get the family together and enjoy a performance by the thespians of K-town and their dog too. Hope to see you there on opening night. K-townking


PS: Sorry for the short notice, to many projects, need to FOCUS,FOCUS again.

The Last Trip of Summer

It's always a sad part of the summer when the "Northern Dream" has made her last trip and must prepare for the long winter away from the water.This picture of her at anchor in Thorn Arm was on her last trip of the season.

My buddy from Long Island, N.Y. has been coming to Alaska for over 15 years that I know of. In that time he has taken the "Dream" from one end of the Inside Passage to the other and back. He shows up just like the salmon, in May, ready for his various adventures with his pals from back east and us locals, when we find time in our busy(BS) schedules, and then he leaves at the end of August, with his summers catch and the memories of yet another summer spent in SE. Alaska.
I have never had a bad trip on the "Dream", she has always been true to her name. There have been a few where the conditions have been unfavorable, but that was not of her doing. She has always come through the storm and brought us safely back home. Her skipper has barely made it back to N.Y. and if I know him, he can't wait till next summer. Here's hopping your winter is full of FUN!!! See Ya then you ol' Salt!!! K-townking

PS. Thanks for the Shrimp, they were deeeliciuos

It' A Dogs Life

As the "Dog Days of Summer" approach, these two seem to have the right idea. Just kick back and watch the tourist go by from their birds eye view in the historical Bayside Hotel. The hotel is in the process of being remodeled and has been a K-town landmark since around 1924. It's located next to Ketchikans infamous "Redlight District".
These "cool" pooches, decked out in sunglasses, have to be two of the most photographed residents in Ketchikan. Every time I happen by, there's always folks looking up and pointing at them with smiles on their faces. So, when your walking around K-town and are by the "Creek", look for the yellow and green building, take a look at the second floor and you too, can go away with a smile on your face. Till next time; K-townking

Up In the Mountains

I had some tourist in my cab the other day that wanted to go where tourist don't usually go. So I gave them a tour of the town as we head to the mountains. Now, at this time of year the surrounding mountains are pretty much free of snow, but not this year. We had more snow then I've seen in my 30 years in K-town, so there is still quite a bit of the white stuff hanging around, and they wanted to go play in the stuff. We went up Brown Mountain about 20 miles from K-town. It was a beautiful day, the sun was bright and the sky was cloudless. On the way there we drove through part of the Tongass National Forest and they were amazed at the size of the trees. I have a couple of trees that a Ranger friend told me that are well over 400 years old and I make it a point to show the off when I'm out that way. When we arrived at the trail leading to the snow, they took off for their fun in the snow. While they were off, I took a few photos of the surrounding area. See Ya Later; K-townking

Trawling for Salmon

Now, trawling for salmon is to me, the least stressful on the fish, then all other forms of commercial fishing. The fish are caught on a single baited hook. The trawler uses several baited hooks on a long line and drag it behind the boat. The fish are not marked and just look much better then one caught in a net. Because of this fact, they usually get a better price for the salmon. The trawlers spent many,many hours out fishing, just like the sports fishing guy. They are out in the some areas, competing with charter boats, and the guy next door. Now their season is a short one, that's one of the reason for the good price, they catch less fish. When they catch 100 lbs., they've had a good day but, not all the days are like that. Most of the time they are lucky just to have one for themselves for dinner. So, when your at your local fish market, ask for a nice trawl caught wild salmon and enjoy. Remember: Friends don't let Friends eat farmed fish!!! Later: K-townking

KINGS are a runnin'

Reports from the water front a few days ago, say that someone on Thursday caught a 42lb. King salmon. Today, everybody and their brothers were busy putting their boats in the water. Of course, not till after treating their MOTHERS to a nice, somebody else cooked it, meal. There were lots of boats out at the Point when I passed by on the way from work this evening. Folks will start gearing up for the Derby(see 5/8s Post) and be on the water fishin' almost everyday, testing for what is attracting the Derby winner. If your lucky enough to be making a stop in Ketchikan on the week-ends of between Memorial Day weekend and the 7th of June, you too may have the opportunity to catch the Big Winner yourself. So, stop by and drop a line, you never know!!! You just might win $10,000 big ones.
Well, today was the last day that Ketchikan will be without a cruise ship making a stop until, some time in September. We will have at lease one ship a day and on the big days, 5-6 ships, we will have over 10,000 people visiting K-town. Those are, to be very honest, pure Hell. These passengers are put into a downtown area that is about 6 square blocks and it gets pretty crazy for about 8hrs. and then it's normal, or what passes for normal around K-town. Those are the days that you can't make it to your favorite watering hole fast enough, to unwind from your day. But, that's what we live for and it's only for 5 months.
Hey,no one took me to brunch and it's time to eat, so till tomorrow; K-townking

FISH ON !!!!!!!

This is the time of year that sold me on living in this great state of Alaska. I had never fished on the ocean before and to be quite honest, it was a little scary, but once I got out there, that was another ball game all together. The smell of the salt air, your surrounded by the natural beauty that is Alaska, the wildlife you can see, and the thrill of catching a big King Salmon, there's nothing more fun. Although, it's not as easy as one might think. You have to put in your time, in order to catch the real "BIG" fish that are out there. That's why folks spend soooo.... much time out there. In order to catch the "BIG" one, it is said you must put in an average of 20 hours trolling for them, before you may be lucky enough to land one. May is also the month that the Ketchikan King Salmon Derby starts. The 62nd Derby starts on the Saturday before Memorial Day and ends in 2 weeks on Sunday. Now, your only allowed to fish for derby fish on the weekends, no fish are counted during the days in between. The grand prize is well over 10,ooo dollars in cash and prizes. The Derby is sponsored by the Ketchikan CHARR Educational Fund,Inc and they use the proceeds from the Derby to fund their scholarship program.
Now, what I really like fishing for are Halibut. This is one of the many bottom dweller that we enjoy. Others are several types of cods, that most don't like catching but are, actually, quite good eating. I can say for a fact that, Smoked Black Cod is my favorite. Fishing for halibut is often quick and easy, that's why I enjoy it most. If you have a favorite spot,hole, or what ever, you can, 9 out of 10 times, get there, drop your hook to the bottom and have a fish before you set the pole. Now, that's fishing. It's not like that very time,but if you have a spot, you can find fish. I have gone out and limited out in less then 2 hours. The hardest part of fishing, is the work one must do when you get your catch home.
Living in SE. Alaska, we are fortunate to have all 5 species of Pacific Salmon to fish for during the the long days of summer. We can start fishing in April and fish all the way into October for these fun catching, great eating creatures. With it light till almost 11 PM, lots of folks will make a evening of it and go out for a few hours after work. There are all kinds of ways to put your catch up for the winter and the people of SE.Alaska spend many hours smoking, drying, caning, jarring and vacuum packing their fish. Oh, I forgot the best part, SHARING their product with their family and friends.
So, get off the couch, put the boat in the water, call me and lets GO FISHIN'
K-townking

Breathe Taking

When you are in K-town there are an endless number of things to see and do, but for me, one of the most exciting and breathe taking, is to take a flight into the Misty Fjords National Monument. I have done this several times in the pass 30 yrs of living in Southeast Alaska. Each and every time I've been back there, there has been something special about the flight into the Misty's. I have been fortunate to have always seen some type of wildlife on the flights, from Grizzles to Mountain Goats to whales to Black bear. This is a big reason that most folks take the flight and even though the pilots can't guarantee you'll see any wildlife, their very good at finding them.
There are several very good Flightseeing outfits in the Ketchikan. The flightseeing tours can be from 1 1/2 to 2 hours. So, check them out and chose the one that offers the tour your interested in. Believe me on this one, you will not be disappointed.
Now, if your the real adventurous type you can rent or bring your own kayak and spend as much time as you have to go into the Misty's and paddle around and really get the full enjoyment of the back country. In K-town there are several outfitters that will help you with all that it takes to enjoy a safe and fun adventure in the Misty Fjord National Monument.
It's another beautiful day in K-town, the sun's out, it's about 65* and I hear my bike callin' me "Come ride me,ride me". See Ya in the Wind; K-townking

Things Are Looking Up

Boy O' Boy, things are strange in K-town. With the season ready to start in full swing this week, I'm baffled. We have about 50 jewelery stores in the downtown area and as of today I haven't seen hardly any activity in them for all most a week. They must be hiding behind the shades in the windows putting out their wares. I never understood why one would come all the way to Alaska to purchase jewelery in the first place. But people do. Must be so they can tell everyone back home they got it in Alaska, that would be my guess.
Since last Wednesday there have been just a ton of geese flying over head every day and night also. I had taken my dog for a late night walk and there where several flocks fly by while we were out. It such a fun thing to watch. You can hear them coming for a long way far, you hear the Honk,Honk them make and try to spot them. It amazes me how they fly in their"V" formation, change directions, get spooked by a helicopter and still remain in their formation. There not always perfect, they may be long on one side and short on the other, but it's still a "V". I made several attempts to get a photo of them and my camera just wouldn't zoom in well enough.
I also noticed that the bear hunters have arrived in 2's and 3's over the last week. I have yet to see any sign around my house, or heard of anyone seeing a bear around town. I know that their out of the den by now and looking for the first food of the year. So, keep your eyes peeled and maybe you'll see one early.
When your in K-town there are many, many, many things for you and your family to do and see. One of the really fun things is KAYAKING. There are a couple of outfits that can help you with that. I recommend Southeast Sea Kayaks. Greg and Gillian and their twins will take you out and show you the sites ,wildlife, ranging from whales to bears to some of the many birds that live on and near the water, to sea lions and seals. It's always a great time and they even feed you. Now, how can you beat that. The tours on average are 2-4 hours, although they can outfit you for week or more. But for the cruise ship traveler the 2-4 hour trip is the norm. You really can't bet this.
Well, that's it for now, besides the Cubs are on. Till next time, Be Safe. K-townking

FIRST SHIP CALLS

The first ship of the season arrived yesterday morning and brought about 1,400 passengers to visit K-town and they were welcomed with a fairly nice day. The sun was out and the temperature was in the low 50's. There was a good breeze, so it felt more like 40, but for this time of year we'll take it over rain and blowing.

Now, that the season is going and your planning your trip to K-town, let me answer the question that I hear most often when people approach me looking for things to do while in K-town. That would be "What is there to see and do in Ketchikan ?" Now, no matter how many times I hear this, it just baffles me. There is soooooooo.. much to see and do, that I have a hard time deciding where to start. Depending on how much time you have, it differs from ship to ship,but most port calls in K-town are between 6 and 8 hrs, and what your budget is, the possibilities are endless. First, you must decide if you would like to take a tour of the area, or if you just want to see it on your own. Do you want to try and see wildlife, visit the Totem parks, go flightseeing, and on and on. The very best place to start is by visiting the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau. In there are several different tour operators, from sightseeing tours,flightseeing, kayaking, to fishing charters to the horse drawn trolley. You can rent a car and see K-town on your own also, the real adventurous can take a tour on a Harley-Davidson.
This is just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak, you can spend your time doing and seeing all that Ketchikan has to offer, or you can do a little and spend your time meeting the locals at one of the the few watering holes in the downtown area. I always suggest the Sourdough Bar, not because of the fine company there(Larry and the crew will treat you well and their fun), but because of the collection of ship wreck photos that Larry has accumulated over the years. It's said that it is the largest on the west coast.
Now here is my list of things that I recommend that you should do when in K-town:
1. Take a tour, whether it's by bus, van, or taxi, DO IT!! Most of the tours are about 1 1/2 - 2 hours long by bus or van or by taxi. Taxi tours are recommended for quick and informative town tours, half hour covers most of the highlights and then you can decide what to spend the remainder of you time doing. Most of the drivers live here year round and most are very informative and knowledgeable of the K-town area.

2. Ketchikan Historical Museum, always something interesting about K-town

3. Totem Heritage Center, 31 pieces of Totem Poles and original Totems from surrounding areas.

4. The Discovery Center. Ran by the US Forest Service details the Tongass National Forest,
which happens to be the largest National Forest in the U.S.

5. Visit the many Native galleries. This is very inspiring and will give insight to the 3 Native
Tribes that have been at home in K-town for centuries.

6. GO and DO SOMETHING FUN!!!

Well, that's enough for now, it's nice and warm, so I'm going to go for a putt. See Ya in the Wind;K-townking

The Ships Are A Coming

Things in K-town should be getting busy this week. The first boat of the season is due to visit on Wednesday, 4-22. Things have been hopping in the down town area all last week, from the city cleaning and painting, to the stores and shops sprucing up the interiors and exteriors, bringing in the new stock for the season. The tour companies have been recruiting driver/guides and on Sunday the horses for the Seahorse Trolleys arrived on the Alaska Marine Highway. The influx of new people to K-town is on the raise. Most are returning to jobs they've had in years past and a lot are looking for that summer job in a place they just enjoy being, Southeast Alaska.
I started this Blog to give the people who are planning their trip some idea of the many different, fun and interesting things that they can do. Whether their into hiking, kayaking, fishing,flightseeing in the Misty Fjords, taking a tour of the different Totem Parks. There are a number shops that specialise in all types of art work by many of the local artist that call K-town home.There is so much to see in and around Ketchikan that it would take way more time then you have. So, my advice, to those of you who will be visiting Ketchikan, is to research the surrounding area and decide what it is you are going to have the time to do on your visit. Then, when you arrive you'll have a much better time and see what SE. Alaska has to offer you and your family.
In the next few days I will be going into a little more detail of some of the places to see and things to do on your stop in Ketchikan. Till tomorrow; K-townking

Warming Sun Today

You can really tell the weather is warming up. All you need to do is take a look at the surrounding mountains. What where once snow covered islands, from mountain tops to almost ocean shoreline, are now, in just a few short days, showing signs of the brown muskeg and the greens of the trees in the Tongass National Forest. With the warming of the weather we, those of us who live in what I call"The Country", are preparing for the arrival of the bears in the area. The city folks are also. Black Bears are seen quite often in the area of K-Town known as Bear Valley. Later in the week it is the start of the Spring bear hunting season. Most of the hunters that I have met in the past come for the full coats of fur that the bears have when they come out of hibernation. If the hunter is not going to take the meat for consumption, it must be donated. In the past years I've seen some really beautiful pelts and even a record Boone and Crockett full pelt. I couldn't believe how huge the head of that animal was. There is some hunting around the K-town area, but not much, most of the hunting is done over on the big Island, Prince of Wales Island. It's the largest island in SE Alaska.
I was over by the Ketchikan Creek yesterday and checking the creek for steelhead and I saw a fellow in his waders. He was using a spinner rod and told me the he had seen 2 steelhead, but had yet to land one. So, the next day I decide to play hooky, I think I'll brake out the fly rod and see if they'll take a fly or two. Well, I've made myself hunger with all this talk of bear meat and steelhead, so I'm off to have dinner. Sure wish I had some bear burger. MMmmmmmm.
Enjoy- K-townking