July 7, 2011

Another great night of sleep, I think because of the fresh mountain and sea air up here.  We are sleeping long and hard!  Today we played like tourists most of the time.  How many libraries have a view like this? We returned our Alaska video and fishing book to the library and checked out our four items.  One item is a video on Petra to look at what we will be seeing there on our November cruise through the Suez Canal.  After our library stop we went to the check out the various options for fishing licenses.  We settled on the three day license to start with and the King salmon stamp as well as we aren’t really sure we can tell one salmon from another and we know what would happen to us if we had the wrong one, “Eash Factor” and all.  Anyway, our license will begin tomorrow at noon.  One picks a date and time it starts and the days are consecutive.  Our plan is to fish off the bank, rocks, docks, bridge or whatever.  If that is not successful we talked to the guy renting fishing poles over on Creek Street and he will give us a good deal to take us Sunday or Monday morning over to Herring Bay where they more or less “snag” a fish with a drag and triple hook.  That is not the way I want to do it but if I fish for 2 days with nothing I am sure I will not be particular by then!  Incidentally, the creek flowing into that bay has a lot of bears feeding on the salmon right now.  Unfortunately, the bus doesn’t go that far.  We haven’t decided yet if we will rent a car to drive over there.  Car rentals are pretty pricey up here.  They have these little electrical cars they rent for $40. an hour but really not sure one of those would make it where we want to go!  We also picked up a tide book, since the tides from high to low vary quite a bit here, it is interesting to see the complexity and intricacy of the world God created for us. 

After the library and licensing we headed along the berths, four ships today; two Princess and two Holland America. Today is quite different from yesterday with just one ship in port.  However, if you leave the immediate area right around the ship there aren’t too many people.  We ate like a tourist today at the Fish Pirates Saloon.  It was disappointing but there was live music and really what must one expect when eating looking at a cruise ship!  The small portion of the fresh cod fillet was delicious.  I had to laugh when the band played “North to Alaska”! After lunch we walked around to various shops and some interesting ones tucked out of the way or upstairs. The Golden Thimble was such a tempting place.  I might go back and get a quilt panel, a type I have not seen for years with blocks to embroider. I took photos of a lot of beautiful quilts.  On our walk we watched a couple of the cruise ships depart and observed people fishing, not catching, along the way.  We will scout out where we want to begin fishing tomorrow, not right by downtown for sure.  We have all the rules and instructions we need to go over as well. 

The sun was shining with just a few clouds today.  There was no rain today during our waking hours.  When I looked out at 5am the street was wet so it sprinkled in the night.  BTW, our “dark hours” are approximately 10:30pm to around 4am. Land of the midnight sun, but not this far south!  We can’t see the Northern Lights from here either.  Here is a view of our apt the building in the background, tan with blue trim.     

July 6, 2011

What a lazy day for us.  In fact I hesitated to get in bed and read a book because I was sure I would fall asleep!  A nice day for relaxing.

A bald eagle flew right by our window this morning when I was looking out.  It had something in its claws and stopped on this post to enjoy the treat.  Only one ship in port today, Radiance of the Seas.  I think it might be a sister ship to the Brilliance of the Seas we will be on in Nov.  I’ll have to check that out.  Besides cooking meals, doing dishes, and walking, we played cards, Rummikub and watched a VHS about Alaska we got from the library. As I said, a lazy day…

Courtesy of Cheryl O.  North To Alaska - Johnny Horton She said reading my blog makes her think of this.  Funny thing is, the tune went through my mind for a couple weeks before coming up here!  :-)

July 5, 2011

We saw sun today!  Beautiful blue skies accompanied the sun and breaking clouds.  We headed out after breakfast and walked to both the library and tourist information building down by the ships.  I got my library card with a $30. deposit, $20. is refunded when I turn my card back at the end of the month. I can only check out 2 items my first time, then a total of 4 after I successfully turn in my first loan.  I don’t blame them for being careful.  There seems to be a good selection of large print books so Mom can check out a couple when she is here.  The library also offers “Listen Alaska” where you can check out up to ten titles at once with audio books, movies, etc. to your Kindle-type device, PC, or MP3 (iPod), or tablet (iPad).  This is very progressive.  From the library we took Creek Street back to the other side of the bridge.  Along the way we sampled a few things and looked at many interesting things.  We have some Huckleberry vinegar to use on our salads now!   We made a quick stop at the thrift store to see if there was a larger pot so I can make some soup, no luck with that.  When we came out it was just starting to sprinkle. Oh, lots of rubber ducky contestants remain in the creek.  No wonder I didn’t win.  This one was probably mine!  LOL

I began to brown some ground beef for our taco salad for lunch and John went out to look for a market, supposedly close by, to buy some salsa. He was successful and we enjoyed our lunch, did some laundry and then decided to head to Wal-Mart for a good price on a fishing pole!

When we boarded the bus we bought an unlimited pass for the month for $20.  John feels it is worth it.  There are other options, such as 25 rides with a $10. punch card. Well, anyway it is a good deal.  The bus didn’t take much longer than the taxi and costs LOTS less.  We enjoyed great views of sunny mountain sides and plenty of blue sky as the rain was short lived.  We got our poles, a soup pot, disposable roasting pans, and a few other things and headed home. I put a chicken in to roast and John worked on the fishing gear.  Sadly we don’t really know what we’re doing.  I have done plenty of fishing but I have never fished for salmon!  John was going to ask the guy down at a booth who we talked to earlier what to put on the line but he was gone.  Some guys fishing from the bridge helped him out.  Of course, Wal-Mart sold us triple hooks, which they said are illegal!  Anyway, we are set up now and just need out licenses! 

The nice weather is holding and after our roasted chicken dinner we took an enjoyable after dinner walk.  We watched the last of the cruise ships for the day depart, the Silver Sea, I wish I had my camera. Some TV and off to bed for us. 

Independence Day 2011

It was not raining when we went to bed last night or when we got up this morning, but it began raining before the parade.  Actually, we don’t mind the rain at all! We walked downtown and bought a cap for me to wear under the poncho as the hood keeps covering my glasses.  With the cap it keeps the hood back and the bill of the cap also keeps the rain off my glasses!  :-) Why are men’s clothing items more functional than those for women? After our big purchase of the day we found a good place from which to watch the parade. The locals really look forward to this event and we did enjoy it very much. It was pretty amazing to watch the helicopter fly the huge flag over head as a sign the parade was about to begin.This has apparently been tradition each year.  We heard from a local that the fireworks are canceled tonight due to the weather. If we’re still up at 11pm we should  be able to see them from our living room window. 

We went home and ate lunch after the parade, hot dogs, chili, and coleslaw.  We relaxed a bit, watched TV, did dishes, emptied trash, etc.  We planned to go to the Duck Race at the top of Creek St. as we bought a ticket for it, but it was quite windy and raining a lot so we passed that up. The Duck Race is  an event where they put plastic numbered duck up the creek and the first one to the finish line is the 1st place winner getting $2,500, and then lesser prizes as well. No one called to say I won, and worst of all I apparently didn’t win the skiff either!

Anyway, we went directly to the Ironjack competition.  It was covered in the usual lumberjack show area, and mostly locals because all the ships were gone by the time it started. It was a fun event and we had some nice conversations with several locals as well.  Oh, I might mention we passed several people fishing off the bridge on the way to the Ironjack and the fishing seems pretty darn good! I can’t wait to get a license, pole, and try our luck.  I was tempted to offer to buy one of these fish from the fellow as they were so fresh, still flopping about and what a great meal they would make.  Now that the holiday festivities are over we will find out more about our surroundings tomorrow.  I need to get my library card as well. 

July 3, 2011

After coffee and a Rice Krispy bar for John we headed to Wal-Mart by taxi since we were under the mistaken impression that the buses do not run on Sunday. Live and learn, yet with the big amount of supplies it would have been doable, but a struggle on the bus. We got some groceries, unfortunately there were limited choices and they don’t have fresh fruit, veggies, meats, etc. so we made a trip to Safeway later on. Everyone here is pretty excited about the 4th of July, despite the rain the flags are flying, booths are set up, raffle tickets are being sold, etc. I bought a raffle ticket to win a nice skiff with a powerful motor.  I don’t suppose I have to worry about how to get it home.  Maybe if I win I need to move here! We walked to Safeway, a bit over 2 miles, via downtown and the crowds from 3 cruise ships.  River Street was pretty busy.  We will enjoy a walk there on Wednesday when supposedly there are fewer ships in port. It has been raining the whole day but not really cold.  With a t-shirt and light weight long sleeve shirt under our light weight poncho we were plenty warm.  We took the bus back from Safeway and we are well supplied now and will just buy a little bit at a time to meet our needs now.  We had chicken, creamed spinach, and sliced tomatoes for dinner.  Our lunch was splitting a foot long at Wal-Mart after shopping there.  As a total for today, 4 cruise ships were in port, one Carnival, two Celebrity, and the Disney ship was just pulling into port around 11am when we were headed  back from Wal-Mart.  Disney was the last to leave as well, about 8pm. The others were gone by 5pm, not sure when they left.   

Our landlord came by and showed us how to get the TV and Internet up and running. (YAY!)  He seems like a nice man and very accommodating. 

We did see a peek of sun on the mountains across the water, not sure it shows up in our photos.  Awaiting the Independence Day Parade tomorrow!

Ketchikan, AK

We have arrived.  All unpacked and ready for our month here in this quaint, rustic, little apartment in beautiful downtown Ketchikan.

The flights were pretty much uneventful.  When we backed off of the gate in Fresno we sat for quite some some, then they announced we were going back to the gate to disembark a passenger for a medical reason.  I guess she was okay but she apparently wanted to know if the plane had oxygen because she was asthmatic and this brought discussion and a red flag for her.  After she was disembarked the captain and crew came through the cabin to ask people if they were okay, needed anything, and reassured everyone.  We have rarely been on flights where people actually seem to care if you are “ok” or not.  Nice touch and points for Horizon Air in my book.  BTW, they still give free wine and beer on their flights! I mean there was only one choice in wine and it was really a bit early in the day for me, but a nice touch!  Despite the departure delays we had plenty of time between connection in Portland for our flight to Seattle, which was on time.  If you happen to fly this route one day be sure to get a window seat in the right side of the plane.  What fabulous views of the Pacific Rim dormant volcanoes!  I could not identify all the various mountains but I do think I recognized the Three Sisters, Mt. Hood, and of course, Mt. Rainer. There were at least 3-4 others I was not sure of. The sky was so clear and beautiful these majestic peaks covered with snow rose like something surreal from the earth.  I have flown this route before but never with such views.

In Portland we ate a late lunch and the flight was quick to arrive in Seattle.  We were blessed to have one of those little carts that give people rides come along and stop by us.  We asked the man where our next gate and he said hop on as it was too far to walk, boy I was glad we did, it was the total other side of the airport and then taking the tram as well.  We did have plenty of time.  We were doubly blessed beyond belief as my wallet had fallen out of my purse when I used my camera on the plane.  Someone found it (attendant) and they called my name to come and get it!  I didn’t even know it was gone!  I am so grateful and thankful! What a headache that could have been. 

So, alas we arrive in Ketchikan, it is raining, cool, and beautiful.  The airport is on a little island and we took the ferry over, grabbed a cab, and arrived here in about 15 minutes. While we were waiting for the ferry a bald eagle flew by in front of us. with a giant US Flag blowing in the background, rather patriotic wasn’t it? All set for the 4th of July!

Tomorrow…

…at this time we will be in the air, Lord willing.  There seems to be a lot to do before we leave, but that is simply a state of mind because just throwing in some clothing is all we really have to do.  As the thermometer climbs, we are happy to depart the hot weather in the Central Valley.