Day 5 Ketchikan

Early this morning we passed the border between Canada and the US. We headed through Revillagigedo Channel then entered the Tongass Narrows which led to Ketchikan. We've traveled 645 nautical miles.
So glad we have the rugs to keep us straight!

The town of Ketchikan is along the shore of Revillagigedo Island in the Tongass Narrows. Ketchikan is a Tlingit (Klin-kit) name meaning "thundering wings of eagles." The first inhabitants were Tlinglet tribes who set up a fishing camp at the mouth of Ketchikan Creek. In 1887 a salmon cannery was built there and the town became known as the salmon capital of the world.

We really got an education on the Tlingit people. Tlingit society is divided into two moieties, the Raven and the Eagle. These are divided into numerous clans that are subdivided into lineages or house groups. The culture is very much threatened and just a few traditional villages still exist. Totem poles are a form of visual communication of legends, clan lineages, history, notable events, and to honor someone who died. The pole above tells the story of the Beaver Clan chief who suffered a horrible death (red) by the whale clan. The beaver clan got retribution (smiling beaver).

The Tlingit lived in long houses. A fire was in the center, meat dried in the rafters, and possessions were stored in the wooden floors. They lived according to status with the chief across from the door.

Those with lower status slept near the small door which opened at the bottom of a totem pole-possibly giving meaning to "low man on the totem pole." The Tlingit would have a potlatch-ceremonial feast. The host's status is elevated because considerable resources were required to sponsor one. Totems poles were usually risen at the potlatch.

Ketchikan has the world's largest collection of totem poles. Many of the poles have been rescued or donated. A lot of work is required to keep the wood intact because of Alaska's wet climate.

This is the Ketchikan Creek-it's actually a pretty good size. I was told during salmon season it is so thick with salmon one can not see water. Also it is thick with bears and eagles.

This is the Creek Street Historic District, formerly known as "The Line." This was Alaska's most notorious red light district from 1902-1954. It is a zigzagging boardwalk on pilings above Ketchikan Creek that supported at least 30 such type establishments in it's heyday, with Dolly's house being the last to close. The boardwalk was called the Married Men Trail and led away into the woods for clandestine activities. When the tour guide was explaining this I thought he said, the "Merry Men Trail."

Because the town is at the base of 3,100' Deer Mountain most of it is built going up the mountain or on pilings over the water. Roads are not accessible to all houses so series of boardwalks and steps are built. These are actually considered to be "streets," are named and cleared of snow in the winter. The tunnel is kind of funny-there is a two way road around it, boardwalks over it and it is possible to row under it.

Can you imagine having this "street" to your house?

This is the beautiful scenery leaving Ketchikan, heading north toward Juneau.

This picture was taken at about 10:30 pm. I know, it looks like broad daylight. We never saw night time in Alaska or a sun set. The very darkest was just twilight.