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

   

3 Tips On Kayak Fishing

Let me start out by saying you'll never find me doing this, fishing from a kayak. I first heard about kayak fishing in the newspaper and I've seen it in action. I was out for a leisurely boat ride one day last summer when we spotted this guy in a kayak just cruising through the water, as we come closer he yelled "It most be a monster!" He told us he had it under control and off we went to enjoy our day.

It takes a long time to learn the art of kayak fishing. An apprenticeship must be served in order to transform a novice kayak angler into a veteran kayak angler, which can be discouraging and take years to prefect.

The nearest thing to a short cut is to find an old-timer and have him take you under his wing and then accompany him on his kayak fishing trips.

Generally, kayak fishing increasing in popularity and steadily creating sustainable gratifications aside from the fact that kayaks have been used for fishing for a long time.

History has it that even in early times; kayak fishing has been the primary source of fish supply ranging from "big flat halibut" to other types of big fish. These activities, which took place from the mid 18th century until the late part of it, were all noted by the Russian Orthodox priests. These turn of events are know as "The Native History"

From then on kayak fishing continued to grow and dominate the fishing industry, when once, people were doubtful if it could aid the anglers to catch fish. The steady feature brought about by its "sit-on" type has long been the primary characteristics of kayaks that made it an ideal fishing boat.

However, with kayak fishing, you have to be able to multitask, keep the kayak steady as you paddle through the water keeping the fish on the line, which is part of the whole process.

Therefore, for folks who wish to know the tips about kayak fishing, here's 3 tips that might help you enjoy this tricky activity.

1)  Safety First
Like any activity, it's necessary the before you plunge into action, you must first and fore most observe some safety measures, be sure you can protect yourself from any imminent danger.
The kayak angler must check the weather, tide conditions and any elements concerning kayaking.

2) Hatches Should Be Closed At All Times
The kayak angler should always try to keep the hatches closed while fishing. Water can never seep into you kayak when you keep the hatches closed.

3) Steady Fish
It will make things a lot easier for the angler that when out on the water to drop an anchor to help keep the boat steady while your on the verge of catching a fish.
Best of all, before you head out on your kayak, it would be a great idea to inform family or friends of your whereabouts. In this way, someone can keep track of your activity.

As we say in Alaska, safety should be first!!!

Remember that fellow at the first of this post, we passed him as we were coming into K-town. He showed us the salmon that was towing him, a nice bright King salmon about 40lbs.

Go Have Some Fun!!

K-townking

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

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

Should You Take a Camping Trip to SE. Alaska?

Are you looking for some place to go this spring,summer, or even fall? Whether you are looking to do something independently, with your family,or with your friends, have you ever thought about going camping in SE. Alaska? If you have yet to examine camping, you may want to think about it, as camping is often referred to as a fun exciting pastime.

Although it is nice to hear that camping is a fun way to spend some free time that you may have, you may be wondering if you should really go camping. While individuals from all walks of life enjoy camping, camping isn't for everyone. If you would like to know whether you should go camping or at least think about it a little bit more,you will want to continue reading on.

One of the many signs that you should think about going camping is if you love spending time out of doors. Whether it's playing sports,swimming, or just sitting on your front porch, there's a good chance you'd like camping.Camping is based on the out of doors. You will likely find yourself sleeping,eating, and playing outside. For that reason, if you have a love for the outdoors, then a camping trip is something you should examine.

If  you're looking for a change, you may want to think about going camping. If you're wondering if you should go camping, there is a good chance that you have never been camping before. Unfortunately, when many people take a short trip or a full fledged vacation, many end up staying on the "safe side." While it's more than possible to do so, you might want to try something new and different, like camping.

Another sign that you might think about camping is if your on a budget. Camping is nice and it's a relatively affordable activity. When it comes to camping, many campers choose to camp in parks or other public campground areas. Many of these camping establishments will charge a small admission fee or a small camping fee, but you'll find that the fees are significantly lower than the cost of many amusement parks or airfare for a long trip. It's important to mention that you can get a lot of your camping supplies, like food, for very cheap prices as well.

Also,what is nice about camping is that you will find that you have a number of different options. You may choose to camp in the traditional manner, in a tent or you may want to rent an RV. If you don't own your own RV, you may rent one. You'll also have a choice of choosing a campground. No matter where you are looking to camp, you should be able to find a number of campgrounds to choose from. If you carefully choose your campground park, you may even be able to handpick your own camping spot.

Of course, the decision to go camping is entirely up to you, but you may at lease look into it. There's a reason why camping is regarded as one of the most popular American pastimes.

Hope to see ya around Ktown's campgrounds this year, later K-townking.

Sping Coming On Fast

Well, I've been seeing signs that winter is almost done with and spring is just around the corner. And it's time to plan that summer trip to Alaska. I have been searching the web and there are some outstanding deals out there. Check with your favorite travel agent and come on up for a visit. Keep checking with the K-townking for all the great places to see and Fun Things to do on your visit to Ketchikan, Alaska.

T'is the Season

Man, I can't believe how fast the year has flown by. It's really been one filled with learning alot of new things and having a ton of FUN doing it. If someone had told me this time last year that I would have accomplished the things I have, I would have told them they were NUTS!! I hope those of you who have taken the time to read this blog will continue to follow the K-townking and that you will learn a little about Ketchikan, Ak. and some of the many things to do and see when you visit SE. Alaska. Whether you come by cruise ship, plane, Alaska state ferry, or your own boat this is the place to learn about our BIG little town, of Ketchikan, Alaska.
I know that things have been on the slack side here lately, but life got in the way and I needed some down time. So, now that I'm all rested and ready to get back at it, things will start rolling along shortly after the HOLIDAYS. I want to wish all of you the very best that the season has to offer. May you all find PEACE and HAPPINESS in the coming year, make it a good one, I know I will.

MERRY CHRISTMAS &
HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!!

Till Then, K-townking

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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

Gorgeous Sunsets

If I needed a reason for living in Southeast Alaska, the photo here, should give you one of them. Sunsets can be just gorgeous. With so many different shades of this color and that color, that makes it difficult to capture the true beauty of the scene. With the sky, so alive with it's color show, you have a tendency to forget about the water, the way it captures the colors itself. It can make for some real awesome shots. So as you tour through the inter-coastal waters of the Panhandle, be sure to have a camera at the ready and add some color to your memories of your trip to Southeast Alaska. Enjoy, K-townking

.2 lbs. Makes McQueen Winner

I told you the Derby has been won on more then 1 occasion, on the last day. Why should this year be any different? On Sunday, June 7, 2009, before 8 AM, the Leader in the Derby changed for the last time, when Dan McQueen weighted in his 44.2 lb. King salmon and beat out Mark Toldfelt, by .2 lb. Not only did Dan knock Mark out of 1st place for the largest fish, but he also knocked him out of the lead for the "Largest fish caught in a 16' or smaller boat". So another Ketchikan King Salmon Derby comes to an end. You can see all the results at Ketchikan King Salmon Derby website.
Congratulations to all those who participated and didn't win. I hope you all enjoyed your time on the water, better luck next year.

Ride the Duck, By Land & By Sea

I had never seen or heard of anything like this, but I guess these types of tours are popular from coast to coast in the lower 48. Now,I can see that, by the almost always full crafts as they leave the docks for their tours of K-town. The tours are for about 2 hours. They give a city tour and then they head for the harbor and a little sea cruise tour of the Ketchikan water front. The tour are fully narrated by locals and there is always fun to be had. They make several stop on the land tour and you can always get some great photos, since your up in the air about 12 ft. and above the traffic below you.
When your on your visit to K-town, you can get more info at the Quack Shack(on the dock) and inside the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau. So, watch your head and don't forget your water wings.
Hope to see ya in Ketchikan. K-townking

Derby Update

With the last weekend of the 62 Ketchikan King Salmon Derby just 3 days away, the leader didn't change last weekend, it's still Mark Tollfeldt with his 44lbs. King, caught in a 16' skiff off of Mt. Point. Now,I know Mark and I know he has his fingers crossed and is hoping his fish will hold on to win. He also knows that several 1st week leaders have bit the dust in the final hours of the Derby. I wish him the best of luck, because he might need it, but I don't think so.
Here are the top 15 on the Leader Board listed below. Go out and see if you can put your name on the board and win something special. See Ya on the water; K-townking

May 25 #0601 (Mark Tollfeldt) May 25 #0482 (Tim Eide) May 23 #0419 (Charles T. Denny) May 31 #0515 (Shannon Farstad) May 31 #0489 (Chris Lervick) May 23 #0056 (Gary Zaugg) May 31 #0494 (Donna Frank ) May 25 #1051 (Brett White) May 25 #0211 (Dale King) May 31 #0298 (Daniel McKelvy) May 31 #0307 (Mark Hoyt) May 30 #0402 (Clyde Campbell IV) May 25 #0076 (Floyd Kracke)

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

Getting to K-town

Now, I should have done this sooner, but no one asked me. So, better late then never. If your planning to visit Ketchikan, there are just three ways to get here. The first and most popular is on a cruise. This how the majority of the yearly visitors arrive in K-town. The cruise ships bring about 800,000 people to visit us. There are several different cruise ship companies that offer a variety of tour packages, Holland America and Princess Cruises are among the leaders in cruises to Alaska. You can either contact your local travel agent or the cruise companies for the details. They have all types of packages for all types of budgets. In the past few years the cruise ships have made it very affordable, so that whole families are now taking a cruise through SE. Alaska and more.
The second way to arrive in K-town is by ferry. The ferries are run by the State of Alaska. The Alaska Marine Highway has around 9 state ferries, they are all named after different glaciers within the state. This is a great way to travel if your into taking your time and enjoying yourself. With ferry travel your able to get off along the way and grab the next ferry going your direction. Lots of folks put their RV's or personal vehicle on and then travel at their leisure. You can catch the ferries in a couple of different places, either Bellingham,Washington or Prince Rupert,B.C. Canada. You can check out the ferry schedule at: www.FerryAlaska.com, or you can call 1-800-642-0066 for all the info you need.
The third and finale way to arrive in K-town is by air. Now the only airline that services Ketchikan is, you guessed it, Alaska Airlines. In the summer we have about 9 daily flights in and out of K-town. So, just check with either your travel agent or Alaska Airlines for all the flight information.
O.K., now you know how to get here, so why are you not on your way? You know that you've wanted to visit for some time, why not make it this year. It's not to late but, if you don't act now it just might be. When you do come, look me up and we'll have a cold one together.
Till later: 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