1. Dolphin in the bow wake2. Totem Poles
3. Downtown Ketchikan
4. This sign on the Sanitation Truck in town
We arrived in Ketchikan, Alaska on Tuesday afternoon. This is a town accessible only by boat or airplane. The roadway extends about 15 miles north and 16 miles south.
Once again, the “sought-after” marina was booked and we were sent to the commercial docks off the side of town. I am not sure how to get our act together to align timing with reservations but I am about to move this up on my list of stuff to figure out.
Our berthing was less than perfect, as the docks were so grimy that “dainty” Lara was so grossed out by the dock (and these nasty/large mushroom things and their slime) that she nearly let the bow swing out to hit another boat before she could “get ‘er tied up”. Jim actually had to jump off the boat and help to get it tied up while Lara was examining the loathsome muck under her fingernails. These docks don’t have cleats but just seem to nail a board about 4” above the dock requiring the boat ropes to be passed under the growth and slime infested board and then tied to itself. It makes for a lot more interaction between the line handler and the native dock gunk. YUK.
Meanwhile, Jim called Customs and Immigration to come. We must consider ourselves in quarantine status and must not leave the boat/dock before being released. While Jim collected the pile of paperwork for scrutiny, Lara sprang into MRS. CLEAN action hence the toothbrush story below.
Within the hour, Officer Valdera, USA Customs arrived and ran through the paperwork. We passed and they will allow us to stay! We grilled him on the places to go/see/do/eat in town and we were relieved that he did not require us to get rid of our eggs/milk/meats etc... which were stuffed under the floorboards (just kidding).
Once again, our priority was an internet hook up. Some of you may recall that Jim is working – or attempting to work. This means he must clear his “in box” of all requests and address customer issues in a timely manner.
We also had to address our Wells Fargo Banking problem. Our credit card was frozen at the beginning of this adventure because we failed to call the bank and notify them that we planned on using this card in Canada. What’s up with that?!!
ERG. Since we were in ROAM mode for most of the initial adventure the thought of spending $2 bucks a minute to be on hold for an hour with Wells Fargo – we were really stuck and needed to get that untangled.
Being off to the side of town, we put on our rain gear – yes that cloud of showers continues to follow us and marched off with our empty back packs in search of “stuff”.
We hauled home the following: a crab pot, a bate bag, a bottle of holding tank treatment, a 48” x 60” American flag.
We celebrated our arrival in Alaska with a night out to dinner where we met a local couple. He works for the highway department and his wife and daughter perform in the local lumberjack show (twice daily when the cruise ships are in town).
The following day (Wednesday) was declared Crew Rest Day and the Captain works his other job. Jim found a local Internet Café and set up his office first thing in the morning. Lara headed off for the main part of town – having figured out the local bus and traveling for a $1 each way.
Internet cafes are the life blood of the boating community. This one was filled up with the crews from all kinds of vessels. Jim sat next to two musicians from a cruise ship. Often these crews are from all over the world so they are also anxious to “connect up” with their friends/family. They arrive to the internet cafes with their laptops (Apple is preferred) and headsets. They are making internet phone calls. So – picture in your head a room with tables and chairs and about 8 people hunched over their computers talking in a variety of languages into their built in cameras. There are another 10 + people clicking away on desktops (that are provided) or laptops. Finally, there are a few folks making long distance phone calls on the house phones. These cafes offer beverages and light snacks. The prices are pretty reasonable at about $4/hour.
While Jim worked, Lara left to explore the town in hopes of some interesting photography which would be a challenge due to the now driving rain.
The cruise ships arrived and hoards of large American’s poured into the streets.
One of Lara’s favorite activities is to find the local thrift shop. The Ketchikan Thrift shop was no disappointment. For $2.95 she procured five novels, two cook books and knitting yarn. These stores give an interesting perspective to the town and are just fun to shop.
Once again, the “sought-after” marina was booked and we were sent to the commercial docks off the side of town. I am not sure how to get our act together to align timing with reservations but I am about to move this up on my list of stuff to figure out.
Our berthing was less than perfect, as the docks were so grimy that “dainty” Lara was so grossed out by the dock (and these nasty/large mushroom things and their slime) that she nearly let the bow swing out to hit another boat before she could “get ‘er tied up”. Jim actually had to jump off the boat and help to get it tied up while Lara was examining the loathsome muck under her fingernails. These docks don’t have cleats but just seem to nail a board about 4” above the dock requiring the boat ropes to be passed under the growth and slime infested board and then tied to itself. It makes for a lot more interaction between the line handler and the native dock gunk. YUK.
Meanwhile, Jim called Customs and Immigration to come. We must consider ourselves in quarantine status and must not leave the boat/dock before being released. While Jim collected the pile of paperwork for scrutiny, Lara sprang into MRS. CLEAN action hence the toothbrush story below.
Within the hour, Officer Valdera, USA Customs arrived and ran through the paperwork. We passed and they will allow us to stay! We grilled him on the places to go/see/do/eat in town and we were relieved that he did not require us to get rid of our eggs/milk/meats etc... which were stuffed under the floorboards (just kidding).
Once again, our priority was an internet hook up. Some of you may recall that Jim is working – or attempting to work. This means he must clear his “in box” of all requests and address customer issues in a timely manner.
We also had to address our Wells Fargo Banking problem. Our credit card was frozen at the beginning of this adventure because we failed to call the bank and notify them that we planned on using this card in Canada. What’s up with that?!!
ERG. Since we were in ROAM mode for most of the initial adventure the thought of spending $2 bucks a minute to be on hold for an hour with Wells Fargo – we were really stuck and needed to get that untangled.
Being off to the side of town, we put on our rain gear – yes that cloud of showers continues to follow us and marched off with our empty back packs in search of “stuff”.
We hauled home the following: a crab pot, a bate bag, a bottle of holding tank treatment, a 48” x 60” American flag.
We celebrated our arrival in Alaska with a night out to dinner where we met a local couple. He works for the highway department and his wife and daughter perform in the local lumberjack show (twice daily when the cruise ships are in town).
The following day (Wednesday) was declared Crew Rest Day and the Captain works his other job. Jim found a local Internet Café and set up his office first thing in the morning. Lara headed off for the main part of town – having figured out the local bus and traveling for a $1 each way.
Internet cafes are the life blood of the boating community. This one was filled up with the crews from all kinds of vessels. Jim sat next to two musicians from a cruise ship. Often these crews are from all over the world so they are also anxious to “connect up” with their friends/family. They arrive to the internet cafes with their laptops (Apple is preferred) and headsets. They are making internet phone calls. So – picture in your head a room with tables and chairs and about 8 people hunched over their computers talking in a variety of languages into their built in cameras. There are another 10 + people clicking away on desktops (that are provided) or laptops. Finally, there are a few folks making long distance phone calls on the house phones. These cafes offer beverages and light snacks. The prices are pretty reasonable at about $4/hour.
While Jim worked, Lara left to explore the town in hopes of some interesting photography which would be a challenge due to the now driving rain.
The cruise ships arrived and hoards of large American’s poured into the streets.
One of Lara’s favorite activities is to find the local thrift shop. The Ketchikan Thrift shop was no disappointment. For $2.95 she procured five novels, two cook books and knitting yarn. These stores give an interesting perspective to the town and are just fun to shop.
3 comments:
My curiosity is asking to see what this commercial dock looked like, I'm sure it smelled awesome huh? :)
I am enjoying your adventures. I've read everything so far but only in a couple of sittings. And I'm just seeing that I can record a comment. It sounds like you are just having a blast!
Hi Todd!
Send Lonnie and Diane our Howdy Do!
Lara and Jim
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