Western Canadian Rockies (WCR) – Day 18 – Ketchikan

By the time we finished breakfast (Thursday June 27) and got organized, it was time to disembark.  So by 10:15 am we were walking towards town. So welcome to Ketchikan, Alaska and as the sign indicates, the Salmon Capital of the World.

Our destination in Ketchikan is the Creek Street boardwalk.  Here is Carmen at the beginning of the street.

We started sort of in the middle of Creek Street from the Mission Street entrance.  At the walkway, there were two gentlemen, one with an eagle that had about a 5-foot wingspan. 

The other had an owl about nine inches tall.

We walked around the east end of Creek Street which is really a walkway on stilts over the water.  As you can see from this picture, regardless of the condition the buildings look, it is still a neat place to visit.

This end of Creek Street became a red-light district in 1903, when the city council ordered bordellos to move across the creek from the town.  More than 30 bawdy houses, with one or two “sporting women” lined the creek.  The more famous madam in the heyday of Creek Street, Dolly Arthur, still has her house preserved on the street.  It much as she left it, featuring antiques, caches, and garish décor.  Of course, for a fee we could have gone inside, so you’ll just have to look at the sign and the bawdy imitator.

We didn’t have much time on Creek Street since we had to meet our boat for the Misty Fjords and Wilderness Explorer.  Therefore, here is a parting shot of Creek Street as we head back to the ship.

We got on the Misty Fjords Explorer on the docks near the Zuiderdam.  As you can see we were right below the bow of the ship under the tether lines.

While traveling on the boat, we found out that we were going to a float plane about 40 miles up the Behm Canal and finally into Rudyerd Bay.  It was a nice boat ride and we did spot an eagle on the way.  As we neared our entrance to Rudyerd Bay, we came upon New Eddystone Rock.

New Eddystone Rock, an ancient volcano core, rises out of Behm Canal.

As we near the float plan dock, we do have some very nice views of sheer cliff walls where one of the float planes had just flown over. 

This excursion did mention waterfalls and we finally come across one near the floating dock.

When we arrived at the float plane floating dock to drop off some of the passengers, and pick up some of the float plane passengers, we saw two planes making to land in the water

The planes take off, pass over us, and turn on a heading to Ketchikan as we also start on our return trip to Ketchikan.

Shortly before leaving Rudyerd Bay, the pilot of the boat slows down and then stops and the word is that he saw a grizzly bear.  After waiting for about 10 minutes, the bear shows its head and then walked around a bit.  We were quite some distance and with the boat moving, this is the best picture we could get.

At a known eagles nest the eagle was there along with an eaglet.  We got a picture of the two of them sitting calmly.

Then the boats radio squawked and the eagle began to fly away.

I couldn’t help but to get a picture of the eagle in flight, such a gorgeous bird.

The eagle flew across the channel then back and landed in a tree near the nest.  We could not stop staring or taking pictures, such a beautiful bird.

The eaglet remained visible in the nest by itself.

Looking back along our route, you can see some of the sights we’ve had.  Although this was a nice trip, I felt it was more of a “water taxi” to shuttle people to and from the float plane excursion that included the part of a boat ride.  Yes, we saw a couple of animals, but I could have done something else instead, like spending more time at Creek Street.  Just saying.

Tomorrow is a full day motoring out of Alaska and into British Columbia.  A day at sea, with a Captain’s lunch planned along with a dinner get together with our Globus trip mates on this cruise.  Until tomorrow, goodnight from Bob and Carmen.