June 4rd Dixon Crossing Prince Rupert to Ketchikan 86 nm
I got up early around 4:45am or so. Alex followed. We disconnected electric, walked dogs, returned gate cards and shoved off at 5:45 am. Negotiated Venn Passage without difficulty, high tide going out and then a great ride to Ketchikan. Slight south wind, with tide current so over 9 knots most the way. Dixon entrance very mild, hit a squall which made water glass before it ran into us (going west to east). Pulled in to Ketcikan.
June 4,5,6th Ketchikan 3 nights!
Planned to stay two but decided to stay three nights. We have been pushing it a bit and time to try to enjoy more.
Ketchikan has 5 harbors, some open moorage which is first come first serve and then they use “hot docking” meaning put you in vacant slip (usually a fisherman’s) and it the fisherman returns you have to move. We decided to do Bar Harbor. Ended up on Bar harbor south, float 9 (has electric) and slip 34 which was a stern in starboard tie and had a nice view northward up the channel so we really liked this spot (ie could request again).
Settled in about 4pm or so. Walked almost to main town (tourist area) to dispensary to get insomnia treatments. Took the “high” road on the way back as walking up water street had a lot of traffic. Basically a board walk road through mixed neighborhoods then found stairway down down down to another street that ended up dumping us out at the marina. So nice long walk and had picked up supplies.
Our first day was cloudy with some rain. Learning to always have rain coats. Left mid-morning and headed north and then up Carlanna Lake road. Walked up through neighborhoods then onto trail along lake.
It then continued on up through the forest and we saw a few small waterfalls and some nice old growth cedar.
Very pretty. We did not go the entire 2.5 miles up to the end of the trail. Dogs got to swim in lake so it was FUN!!!!
After exited lake we stayed up high in the neighborhood; took Fairview south til it connected with Jackson then down down down and the stairs from Jackson Ave dumped out right across from marina entrance NICE!.
Road bus to the park district with totem historic museum and park along Ketchikan creek. We worked our way back walking on park trails, married man’s trail, along/through Creek street (old red light district) then ended up at Thomas Basin (another harbor we could stay at would be more noisy as is right down town and much of day view would be cruise ships).
Walked through town and quickly went through some shops. We had met a local woman at the bus stop who was in the lumberjack show (she throws the double headed ax). She had mentioned Annabelles as a bar and place locals eat and that it was connected to the Gilmore hotel (est 1869 or something like that). So we went there to check it out. Had cocktails (had to use the its five o’clock somewhere mantra) and a chowder sampler (which was YUM). Very friendly and talkative bartender Rick: he lives here year round (many don’t).
June 6th, last day in Ketchikan
Although the local we met mentioned considering Saxman village as a good place to see totem poles it seemed to be more touristy and for the cruise boats so decided to try Totem Bight State Park. Took the bus which allowed the DOGS! (the local had said well behaved dogs allowed on busses). Did the park and heard some of the stories of the totems from a cruise group guide.
Then walked a mile or so south on tongass highway for maybe ½ mile the turned down Sunset drive and found Refuge Cove Recreation area: trail on the shore with beach access. Dogs got to swim and play. Not a sand beach: looked like broken up shale.
Got back 1pm or so after catching southbound silver line bus at Ward Cove. Filled boat with water, organized some things and installed Alaskan charts in Furano’s. Restful day and evening at home. Moving on tomorrow.
On our last night at twilight we got a neat rainbow in the gloom for a growing away present!
