Since we have seen Ketchikan before, we opted to just take a walk around the city rather than go out on a tour.The weather was clear but brisk. Glad we had brought along hat and gloves.
The water front is mostly shops that cater to the tourist industry. However, there were some interesting shops including a quilt shop and yarn store.
The harbor is relatively small with several small inlets for boats. This is our ship in the distance.
The town keeps some of its Native American influence in that there are totems all over. Here there are 2 that look out over the harbor to protect the fishing vessels and smaller boats.
There are totem poles in many of the yards. Some are painted and some are not. They all tell a story and frequent one of the characters is Raven.
Totem poles are carved to commemorate an event, honor an ancestor, record history, social commentary, or embody an oral tradition. They were not objects of worship.
Another totem pole with faces on either side of the base. Also, many are painted, but this one was not and from it weathered face, may not ever have planned to be painted. It also is a different style of carving that the prior one which was just next door.
And yet another totem pole. There is a local museum of totem poles as well as a "school" in Ketchikan.
Stopped in t his local cafe for a decent cup of coffee. It was surprising how bad the coffee was onboard ship. Just that morning Will had located the ships coffee bar and bought a card (yes they had soy lattes) to keep us sane. Never the less, this cafe was a welcome treat. It also had very interesting art work and killer cookies.
One of the shopping areas, a little bit back from the dock area, is this group of shops on piers. It is called Creek Street.
There were lots of dead/dying salmon since it was the end of the season, a seal or 2, and birds all taking advantage of this protected area.
Aside from the totems there were a number of other items carved from wood around the city. You had to keep an eye out for errant guitarists :)
The piece on the left is a beautiful carving by man. The piece on the right is a beautiful carving by nature (driftwood).
This is one of the taller totem poles aside from those in the museum & park. This one is next to the public library. It is called "Raven stealing the sun".
The fish ladder from the foot. Not very full at this end of the season.
The fish ladder from near the top.
Could not resist this picture of a tableau on someone's front deck. The clothes are real.
Another front porch has this series of very different wind chimes.
This monument is on the pier. It commemorates all the various people that came to make Ketchikan what it is today.