The Geese Have Returned

Although we have some geese the winter in the Ketchikan area. One of the many things that excites me about spring in SE. Alaska is the return of the thousands of geese that migrate through on their way north. You can sit for hours some days and watch flock after flock flying in their "V" formations over the Tongass Narrows. It's a real thrill to hear them honk, honking from miles away and then to catch site of them off in the distant. The really large flocks can look like a swarm of black dots or the edge of storm clouds rolling in coming right at you. There are many small lakes on the islands that surround Ketchikan, there are over 100 on Revillagigido Island, so we get plenty of visitors who stop for some well deserved rest before continuing their journey north.
When the geese arrive it is also the time that many of the hummingbirds start showing up. Don't know if it's true or not , but I've been told that the hummingbirds exactly hitchhike on the backs of the geese to save their energy on the long flight to SE. Alaska. Anyway, it makes for good conversation.

Till next Time
KtownKing

It Must Be Spring

The Smell of Spring

It must be spring in Ketchikan, because things are being cleaned up, fixed up and made ready for the first of our many visitors we will have this summer. It seems that every shop in the downtown area is busy bringing in they stock and cleaning off the winter dust and dirt. Most of the major projects that have been underway over the winter are coming to an end. The dock work on Berth #1 has really made progress in the last week and should be completed on time. Also, the work on the downtown Waterfront Promenade Walkway is coming along and should be done in a week or so.
One of the many ways we know that spring has sprung is by the skunk cabbage shoots coming up in all the soggy areas around and along the shore of the many creeks and lakes in the area. You can smell them from quite a distant and so do the black bears. When your out in these areas be sure to keep alert, because black bears feast on the tender roots of these plants after coming out of the den. I did see something that kind of threw me off a little while I was on my daily hike.  I saw several salmonberry bushes already had their flowers on them. It must be the fact that we had a fairly mild winter. This just means we'll be having berries soon. Time to brake out the canner and start collecting jars for this years jams and jellies.

Early Flowers Equal Early Berries

I have always looked forward to spring time in Southeast Alaska. It's what sold me on making Ketchikan my home and I've had no regrets at all. Spring time is such a great time here. Everything is being reborn or renewed. The forest is coming to life, you see the new growth on the Sitka Spruce, the new growth tips are made into jam, the cedar trees and all the flowering plants that are a part of the Tongass National Forest. The arrival of the 140 different species of birds that call SE. Alaska home for the summer. I love hearing and seeing the flocks of geese flying over head, because with them come the many beautiful hummingbirds and we have several species of them visit every summer. So, here's to Spring, the coming of warmer weather, sunny skies(fingers crossed),plenty of fresh fish and boat loads of visitors to Ktown. Get yourself out and enjoy the arrival of our Alaska spring.

Till next time,
The K-townKing

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