Ketchikan AK

It's 24 June 2011 and we're up early again to see the docking procedure in Ketchikan AK.  Actually, that's not entirely accurate.  If the helicopter flight to the glacier at Denali was Ann's highlight for the trip, a floatplane ride back into the mountains around Ketchikan is mine.  I'm ready to go.  Unfortunately, the ride to Misty Fjords in a DeHaviland Beaver isn't until later today.  Ann eventually sets off to shop, but to a certain extent I'm killing time until then.  

There is a lot of float plane activity even in the early morning.  We got some good videos of takeoffs and landings from the forward deck of the Zandaam.    

We have yet another quick breakfast in the Rotterdam, then off to walk around Ketchikan.  It takes about five minutes to get downtown from dock 4 (called the new dock further north of downtown on the map).

This is a small town of maybe 8000 during the summer, 13K including the suburbs (defined as the rest of the island).  It gets much smaller during the winter.

While Haines had more of a folksy, home town feel, Ketchikan feels much more blue collar.  Part of this feeling may be that before getting off the ship, we observed a crew repairing a street constructed on the side of the hill where most of the city is built.  The city seems to benefit from tourism, but seems to have an economy running side by side with tourism.  We see construction as well as an active harbor.


There is active fishing in the area, leading to the town's claim as the salmon capital of the world. 

There were four cruise ships in port, but a bus driver we chatted with outside the library said he thought it was not a particularly busy day.  Looking up and down the streets I  could not disagree.   A few years ago in Key West if four ships were docked, Duval Street would have been a mad house of activity.  Here, the activity was pretty sparse. 

There are a lot of shops in the downtown area.  Art favors typical Alaskan subjects, but like Trader Jack's in Anchorage there are some very nice pieces scattered about. 

Ann and I have lunch on the pier.  We ask around and are directed to one particular vendor.  He has a particularly spicy / peppery chowder that is quite good.  As we are eating, more of our group wander to the dock vendors and we compare notes on the day's activities.  Ann finds a quilt shop on the second street from the docs and vanishes for about a half hour while searching for more fabric.  I'm just hanging around, taking pictures . . .

. . . until finally, FINALLY, it's time for the float plane ride. 

We take a short bus ride from the dock to their float planes about five minutes north.  After a short wait, Bryan, our pilot, calls six of us to go to the plane.  On the way I ask if the right seat is taken, and promise not to scream, sob uncontrollably or grab for the controls if I can get up front.  The tradeoff is Ann gets a seat in the far back.  According to her this is the best seat in the plane since she has the seat to herself and is able to move to either side of the plane to get the best views.  In addition, the struts were not in the way back there. 

Four aircraft load, head for the channel and take off in sequence.  Each takes a slightly different route back into the mountains.  Bryan puts on some relaxing New Age (I think) music, but one of the advantages of the right seat is I can also follow the chatter. 

This is a great ride.  There are a broken to overcast stratus at around maybe 2 - 3K with wisps at the ridge lines.  The ride is smooth.  We never get above 1500 ft.  He flies a very comfortable route with easy banks to allow terrific views.  It's a little disorienting in the Beaver with the trim on the ceiling.  Flaps are a lever on the floor between the seats.  The Beaver has a nice panel with Chelton glass.

Bryan says you don't flare for landings - just fly her onto the water.  Sounds like landing a Piper.  After the flight, we ask Bryan what it takes to fly with this company.  He says you just need to get your seaplane rating and show up.  I suspect it may involve more than that, but one must always plan ahead for that rainy day when you need a summer job to occupy your time.  For that reason, I have plans to get my float rating next spring.  My partner in a C-182 RG says Brown's in Florida has a very good program.     

Well, back to the ship and another dinner in the Rotterdam.  We've fallen into a comfortable pattern each evening.  After dinner tonight there is a show of Broadway Hits, then drinks at the piano bar or in the Crows nest, desserts on the Lido Deck, and finally to bed. 

On a few nights there's been a Karaoke contest in the Crow's Nest.  One of our group actually has both the talent and the voice to compete.  She makes it to the finals at the end of the week.