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taboo5 | profile | all galleries >> United States >> Alaska Cruise on the Island Princess (June 2011) >> Ketchikan, Alaska and Dungeness Crab Catch (June 2011) tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Ketchikan, Alaska and Dungeness Crab Catch (June 2011)

Ketchikan is the first city and the first stop of many cruise ships on the Inside Passage of Southeast Alaska. Its economy is based upon tourism and fishing, and it is known as the "Salmon Capital of the World." During the cruise ship season, its historic downtown, wedged between water and forested mountains, becomes saturated with tourists. The city of 7,368 persons (as of 2010) is built into steep hills and is partly propped on wooden pilings, with boardwalks and wooden staircases. Ketchikan has the world's largest collection of standing totem poles. It is also supposed to be the rainiest place in the United States. Average annual rainfall is 152 inches. Ketchikan was made famous by the $223m Gravina Island Bridge (nicknamed "the Bridge to Nowhere" by its critics) between Ketchikan and Gravina Island, which was provided for in the 2005 Highway Bill. The Alaska government ultimately chose not to build the bridge.
Ketchikan Alaska and Dungeness Crab Catch cover page.
Ketchikan Alaska and Dungeness Crab Catch cover page.		 Map showing the cruise route with the star indicating Ketchikan, Alaska.
Map showing the cruise route with the star indicating Ketchikan, Alaska.		 View of the cruise ship as we disembarked in Ketchikan, which was our first stop.
View of the cruise ship as we disembarked in Ketchikan, which was our first stop.		 We went to the George Inlet Lodge in Ketchikan where we were going on a crab catch trip.
We went to the George Inlet Lodge in Ketchikan where we were going on a crab catch trip.
These steep steps lead to the pier where the lodge is.
These steep steps lead to the pier where the lodge is.		 View of the lodge and of some carved bears.
View of the lodge and of some carved bears.		 This ramp leads to the boat that we took.
This ramp leads to the boat that we took.		 From the boat, we spotted this bald eagle's nest.
From the boat, we spotted this bald eagle's nest.
Even better, we saw this bald eagle about to take off from the shoreline.
Even better, we saw this bald eagle about to take off from the shoreline.		 Our guide pulled this crab trap up from the water.
Our guide pulled this crab trap up from the water.		 Close-up of the crab trap and crabs.
Close-up of the crab trap and crabs.		 To preserve the crab population, immature crabs, and pregnant female crabs are thrown back into the water.
To preserve the crab population, immature crabs, and pregnant female crabs are thrown back into the water.
Close-up of one of the crabs.
Close-up of one of the crabs.		 While they are hard to see, these are seals along the water.
While they are hard to see, these are seals along the water.		 A no-longer functioning factory on the shoreline.
A no-longer functioning factory on the shoreline.		 A glacial waterfall along the water's edge.
A glacial waterfall along the water's edge.
Crabs shells piled up after our Dungeness crab luncheon. Whoever had the highest pile had to dance (I'm glad we lost)!
Crabs shells piled up after our Dungeness crab luncheon. Whoever had the highest pile had to dance (I'm glad we lost)!		 After lunch, we went to downtown Ketchikan.
After lunch, we went to downtown Ketchikan.		 Tourists can go to the Visitor Information Center to find out about local tours.
Tourists can go to the Visitor Information Center to find out about local tours.		 This concession stand was very popular with its variety of items for sale.
This concession stand was very popular with its variety of items for sale.
A saloon and trading company in Ketchikan.
A saloon and trading company in Ketchikan.		 A Ketchikan statue depicting workers with picks and axes.
A Ketchikan statue depicting workers with picks and axes.		 There are several diamond and jewelry stores in the town.
There are several diamond and jewelry stores in the town.		 A main street in Ketchikan.
A main street in Ketchikan.
These duck boats on the duck boat tour go on both land and water.
These duck boats on the duck boat tour go on both land and water.		 Ketchikan claims to be the salmon capital of the world.
Ketchikan claims to be the salmon capital of the world.		 Other towns in Alaska (and elsewhere) might dispute that claim.
Other towns in Alaska (and elsewhere) might dispute that claim.		 A salmon market there. I did not try the salmon, but I can vouch for Ketchikan's Dungeness crabs.
A salmon market there. I did not try the salmon, but I can vouch for Ketchikan's Dungeness crabs.
The Inside Passage is one of many tourist shops there.
The Inside Passage is one of many tourist shops there.		 The Tsongas Trading Company is named after the nearby Tsongas National Park.
The Tsongas Trading Company is named after the nearby Tsongas National Park.		 Ketchikan is supposed to be the rainiest spot in the U.S. The rain it is measured in feet rather than in inches.
Ketchikan is supposed to be the rainiest spot in the U.S. The rain it is measured in feet rather than in inches.		 One of many cruise ships that had stopped in Ketchikan.
One of many cruise ships that had stopped in Ketchikan.
Another cruise ship (not ours). Ketchikan is a major stop for cruise ships going up Alaska's Inside Passage.
Another cruise ship (not ours). Ketchikan is a major stop for cruise ships going up Alaska's Inside Passage.

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