Cruising isn’t a very efficient way to see a place. Within the 10 days of the cruise, we had 4 days with our feet on land, and 3 of the 4 were in Alaska.
I loved Alaska when I spent 3 weeks there in 1977. I thought it was so fantastic that if I ever returned, I would never leave.
Seventeen-year-olds know precious little, but I digress.
Our first port was Ketchikan, Alaska.
We rode the city bus 12 miles north of town to Totem Bight State Park. This is where the cruise lines want you to go, but they prefer if you hire a van or one of their buses. Haha, we spent $1 each on the city bus. (The blue line, if you are planning a visit).
“Bight” is pronounced “bite” and it is a bite out of the shoreline. (So why is it spelled funny?) I think the poles look so interesting and would sort of like to have one in my yard.
Tide pools were the added benefit of the park. Didn’t see much in them, but it was fun to be along the water.
Totem poles tell stories. They are not idols, but are diaries or journals. If I had one in my yard, it would contain pencils, a cabin, and a zillion cats. Oh, and yarn!!
Next to Totem Bight is another totem park called “Potlatch”. It is more extensive, has a store, a carving room, a workshop room where children visit and work on a group totem pole, little cabins, a canoe, benches, totem poles (of course!), no entry fee, flush toilets, and fewer visitors because they don’t seem to be part of the cruise line network. It was better than the state park in terms of more to see, and it felt more authentic.
After we got home, I learned this is a salmon berry. It might be because the seeds look like salmon eggs.
We should have come to this park first. It was so very interesting!
We were blessed with a brilliant and sunny day in Ketchikan. Rain is their normal weather.
Isn’t this the coolest canoe ever? Can you imagine carving this with primitive tools? They must have had carpal tunnel syndrome.
8 Comments
I did want to see authentic totem poles while in Alaska, and the ones at this park are beautiful. And amazingly enough, there is no charge if visiting independently. Very nice gift shop as well with some of the best hot chocolate (complimentary) my husband had the entire trip.
Silver Price (is that really your name??), where did you find the best hot chocolate in Alaska? Inquiring minds want to know! 😎
I love your land photos. I, myself, am not one for floating in the water on a big boat. Fly in and spend the entire 10 days just exploring.
Thank you, Diane! I’m with you – be in the place, not in the Never-Never Land of the ship. Shipland wasn’t bad at all, but I was DYING to be in Alaska.
Carving totem poles could be your next venture!!!You are a great writer, write a story for MK!! Would be super fab and you would make it amazing. Go for it! Hugs!
Melissa
Ummm, Melissa, I’m kind of busy right now. . . maybe when we are in our 80s I can dictate a story to you and you can write it for me! Hugs back to you, (AND CALL PETER!!)
Hi Jana: I’m enjoying your “Cruise Tuesdays” entries. I have never been on a cruise on a big ship, so I would be interested to know what you thought of the whole cruise experience. My impression of cruises is that there are too many people (for someone who lives by herself in the country), too much drinking, too much claustrophobia in a small cabin, etc. And too much chance to pick up a nasty virus like we’re always hearing about!
Thank you, Marjie! I will email you separately and tell you the whole truth. It was a mixed bag, but the main difficult part for me was that we only had 3 days in Alaska. They were extremely vigilant about cleanliness, and make you use those hand sanitizers all over the ship.
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