ALASKA - KETCHIKAN

ALASKA - Ketchikan

Early this morning our group flew to Ketchikan from Seattle. We were met at the airport by David Blick, DDGER and Mike Luhr, SDGER as well as many other wonderful Elks from the Ketchikan Elks Lodge.  After checking into our hotel, we started a walking tour of downtown.

Our first stop was a funky, corner coffee shop where we had our first taste of Alaska coffee.  It was excellent and carried us forward for the rest of the day.  We then visited a locally owned souvenir shop where Tom bought an "ulu," a traditional curved Eskimo knife with a elk antler handle.  Our tour continued to the Ketchikan History Museum where we had a chance to see displays of the Eskimo heritage in the area.

Upon leaving the history museum, we followed the river down to Creek Street which was the "red light" district during Ketchikan's early days. Several of the ladies toured Dolly's House, one of the most famous brothels of the time and we even picked up a replica of their "employment application."

 

When it began to drizzle a little (in typical southeast Alaska style), we decided our timing was perfect since we had just arrived at Annabelle's Chowder House for lunch. After a great meal at Annabelle's, we boarded a private tour bus for a driving tour of the area with our guide, Forest, a PER from the Ketchikan Lodge. Our first stop was a beautiful waterfall, where Tom took a small tumble on the trail.  It was the opinion of the group that he had been attacked by a "flash" bear - a rare species that is so fast they cannot be seen but wreck havoc wherever they go!  After leaving the park, we had the privilege of touring the Saxman totem park and were educated on the purpose and construction of the distinctive Alaskan totem poles.
 

 Dinner Monday evening was held at the Ketchikan Lodge. The members have recently completed this new facility and are justifiably proud of their work. Their membership is growing and they have a vibrant a healthy lodge. For dinner, we were served the rare and special dish of white king salmon. We enjoyed our evening with the Ketchikan Elks very much and appreciated their gracious hospitality.