Family Cruise to Alaska

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Tuesday, 13 June 2006 - Cruised into Ketchikan early in the morning, then took a smaller boat shore excursion into the Misty Fjords wilderness. Spent a few hours in port sightseeing and shopping. On the way out spotted our first Bald Eagle of the trip, saw New Eddystone Rock highlights of waterfalls and wildlife, scenic views of the fjords, and enjoyed lots of great photos before heading back to the ship and cruising north in the late afternoon with sunny skies.

We slept while the ship cruised into port at Ketchikan. 14,000 live here making it the 4th largest town in Alaska. It was established in 1887 when a salmon cannery was built.

From there we embarked on our fist shore excursion. We left right after breakfast for a smaller ship to explore Misty Fjords wilderness area. Then a few hours in port to sightsee and shop.

alaska2006 — On the way out of Ketchikan we spot the first Bald Eagle of the trip. The Bald Eagle builds the largest nest of any North American bird. They are usually hard to see as they are not this close to the open water.

This is the only nest we will see - there is much excitement over this initial wildlife sighting.

alaska2006 — This unique island is called New Eddystone Rock. There were several islands on the way to Misty Fjords. The formation is basalt from a volcanic vent left after the glaciers scoured away the rest of the volcano when they advanced.

alaska2006 — This eagle was spotted on the New Eddystone Rock when we came a little closer.

Around 15,000 Bald Eagles live in Sutheast Alaska making it the most common bird of prey.

alaska2006 — A shot of the famous outdoor photographer, Cal Holman and his parents Liz and Cal Holman. Cal had great fun with the long lens allowing him to get very close to the wildlife.

alaska2006 — On a small island only a few yards big were several Harbor Seals. Here is a very large seal and a smaller one lower on the rocks.

alaska2006 — The entrance to Misty Fjords outside of Ketchikan about an hour. In 1978 over 2 million acres within the Tongass National Forest was designated as the Misty Fjords National Monument.

alaska2006 — The fjords are known for the waterfalls cascading from snow covered mountains high overhead. There were several waterfalls but this one was the most spectacular.

alaska2006 — Our boat was able to get very close to the falls and stayed long enough for everyone to take a good picture.

Here are Virginia Ann and Mary in front of the waterfall.

alaska2006 — Another falls.

alaska2006 — The gang on the tour boat in Misty Fjords. Cal, Liz, Virginia Ann, Cal and Mary in the wind.

alaska2006 — Seals enjoy the scenery from a buoy in the Ketchikan bay.

alaska2006 — This is a pictograph on a rock wall on the way back to Ketchikan on the tour boat.

alaska2006 — The town of Ketchikan. This is Creek Street where the buildings are built over the Ketchikan Creek. It was sunny in Ketchikan which was unusual as they have over 150 inches of rain a year.

In 1903 the city council banned bordellos to the other side of the creek from the townsite. These houses sprang up. In 1953 prostitution was outlawed and the area became mixed residential and commercial property.

alaska2006 — The salmon swim up Ketchikan Creek on their way to spawning grounds. It was not the right time for salmon sighting except for this big fish sculpture.

alaska2006 — Totem Pole near Ketchikan Creek.

alaska2006 — Replica of the Chief Kyan Totem Pole, carved by Stanley Marsden in 1964.

alaska2006 — We pulled out of Ketchikan in the late afternoon and enjoyed many hours of sun while we traveled north.

alaska2006 — Each night our purser would create an animal from our towels. The elephant was very cute.

alaska2006 — The low sun on Alaskan mountains.

alaska2006 — Sunset - these mountains are on our west side. Due to sailing the inside passage there were islands to the west some with very large mountains.

alaska2006 — This night a cruise ship passed us headed south.

alaska2006 — Visiable in the right is a light house on the Alaskan shore.

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