Cruise Log ~ May 18 (Part 1): Visiting Ketchikan, Alaska

Sunrise in the Clarence Strait (Photo by Kathy Hardy)

Snow covered mountains in the early morning light on the way in to Ketchikan

(Photo by Kathy Hardy)

I snapped this shot on the way to Ketchikan. Not exactly sure if this is a mine encampment or a very small town. (Photo by Kathy Hardy)

Sea Planes were continuously taking off from and landing in Ketchikan Harbor. (Photo by Kathy Hardy)

Boats moored in Ketchican harbor (Photo by Kathy Hardy)

Ketchikan, AK has the look of an Alpine Village. (Photo by Kathy Hardy)

A Motor Lifeboat from USCG Station Ketchikan. (Photo by Kathy Hardy)

One of the cruise ships at anchor in Ketchikan. (Photo by Kathy Hardy)

CLARENCE STRAIT, BC (May 18, 2007): I woke up early this morning and snapped some pictures as we entered the Clarence Strait on our way to Ketchikan, Alaska. It was just after sunrise and there were very few people about the decks. It was cold with a wintry wind.

The scenery became more dramatic as we wound our way up the Strait to Ketchikan. Snow covered mountains towered over the tiny town, contrasting with the new spring leaves on the shore side trees. Three cruise ships sat at anchor in the harbor and there was a constant roar of seaplanes taking off and landing on either side of our ship. Bald eagles soared overhead and disappeared into the evergreen covered hills. If you ignore the jagged mountain peaks behind them, the hills surrounding Ketchikan actually look a lot like western Maine.

Ketchikan is a cute little town that kind of reminds me of a village in the Italian Alps. There is also a cute little ferry that takes people and vehicles from the town across the channel to the airport which looked to me to be only a few hundred feet.