Ketchikan: Part II

These were all carved by the same artist we saw working below.  Depending on how complicated the design, may take nearly a year for one totem.

First Shore Excursion

Wednesday, August 31, we are visiting Ketchikan.  The city was established in 1887 when a salmon cannery was built at the mouth of the Ketchikan Creek. The infamous Creek Street Historic District was known as Alaska's most notorious Red light district from 1902-1954.  Today the old " sporting houses" are local shops.

We took a nearly 3 hour tour through the rain forest, a raptor center and totem pole maker.  This was a rare, sunny day for Ketchikan. They receive over 200" of rain and 260 days of rain.  We loved the sun as the last time we were here, it rained and rained some more.

The trip through the rain forest with a guide was delightful.

This is Herring Bay where there is a salmon hatchery.  Bears are plentiful, although we didn't see any.  Our guide said to watch carefully as they would come in and out off the trail.  Lots of scat, but no bears.

Sunny Ketchikan Port

For those of you who have been Alaska you know how rare the sun is here.  Beautiful day.

Arriving at first port.

Today we are in Ketchikan. Cool and rainy.

Sailing Away

Casting off....sailing away

Boarded and ready to sail

Joyce Beery Miles

View from our plane

This was the view from our plane as we approached Seattle. What a gorgeous view of Mt. Rainier.

Visiting Mt. Hood: Part III

Our visit was perfect as we had a flawless weather day.  After nearly 100 degrees yesterday, the 65-70 at Timberline Lodge was a welcome change.  The winds were fierce and the weather actually felt like fall.  From the decks of the lodge, we could also see Mt. Jefferson, the next highest peak on Oregon after Mt. Hood.

There was a distinctive cloud formation as we neared Mt. Hood base.  We felt there was a specific name for the cloud, but even with research, we did not find a name for this formation.

As desolate as the terrain was, this was still a great day trip from Portland.  We ate lunch in the lodge.  Great soups and homemade cobbler.  

Visiting Mt. Hood: Part II

We were eager to locate the Pacific Crest Trail as a friend, Kim Vawter had just passed through last week on her 2600+ mile hike from Mexico to Canada.  We found the trail in the barren, desolate space at the foot of the mountain.

In the lower level gift shop of the ski lodge, we found stacks of provision/supply boxes sent for various thru-hikers on the PCT.

I made a comment about wouldn't you hate to arrive here for a box and have yours on the bottom.  Bob remarked, worse than that would be to arrive expecting a box and nothing there for you!!

Visiting Mt. Hood

Mt. Hood is the only area in US with a  year around ski lift to snow. Elevation is 11,000+ ft. We actually saw some snow boarders coming down off the mountain.  At the foot of Mt. Hood is Timberline Lodge, a WPA project completed in the Depression era in 1936-38.  The lodge is a lovely old building built with massive timbers.  

Columbia River Highway: Part III

After lunch, we headed east about 9 more miles to the Bonneville Dam.  Another awesome experience.  This dam on the Columbia provides more power than 20 coal fired plants.....leaving no carbon footprint.  We also watched the salmon climbing the ladder.  There is a very informative Visitor's Center, along with picnic spaces-- all at no charge.  

Columbia River Adventures: Part II

There are numerous falls allong the River Road.  This was one where we stopped for a photo op and had our lunch in the shade.

This is Molly on the left and Haley on right.  Jim and Betty are dog sitting Molly.  Haley is theirs.

The upper falls is 542 feet tall and the lower is 69 feet.

Fabulous day on the Columbia River Highway

S

We are in Portland, OR for a few days before our cruise visiting Jim and Betty Krejci, Purdue friends. We ate breakfast at the " Original Pancake House", came home and packed our lunch and headed out east to the Columbia River Highway. This highway is 100 years old this year so must have been created the same time as our national parks. 

 
The Vista House is 100 years old and was built so visitors along the Columbia River Highway had a place to view the river as well as make a rest stop.  Today, 100 years later, it is still just as beautiful and the views are gorgeous.  I never forget a vision I have of what Lewis and Clark much have thought as they came down this river toward the Pacific over 200 years ago!!!
Sent from my iPad

This was on the McKinley Express to Denali

This was on the train in 2002.  Wonder if the name of the train

was changed when McKinley was changed to Denali?

Cruising the Inside Passage

We are heading to Alaska for the second time.  In 2002, we cruised with friends, Oak and Shirley Grant from Jacksonville.  This time, we invited ourselves to go with them when they told us they were going again.  We will cruise the Inside Passage to Anchorage and on to the Kenai Peninsula.  We are skipping any land tour as we did that in 2002.  This time we are in search of whales and hopefully the bears in the Kenai.