We made it to Alaska! I have to admit, it’s nice to be back. We left early this morning to take advantage of mirror calm waters across Dixon Entrance.
With no waves, we were able to slow-boat the whole way, which let us enjoy the scenery and the activity around us. Shortly after crossing the border into the US, Ryan was looking out the back while I watched the helm and called out that he saw a whale tail back a ways in our wake. When you see a tail, that means the whale is diving, so I wasn’t expecting to see anything; but I went back to look and was about to turn away when a whale freaking LEAPT OUT OF THE WATER and splashed down on it side in a classic breach maneuver. I was frantic trying to watch the action and at the same time get my camera with the long lens, remove the lens cap, turn it on, make sure it had a data card, etc. We saw them breach a couple more times before diving back down and out of view, but I never got my act together with the camera. Sorry we can’t show you any pictures of that moment, but hopefully we will have more opportunities to witness and record this very exciting activity. What a welcome to Alaska!
After that we saw several groups of dall porpoise, but few of them approached and none of them interacted with us the way the dolphins did in Burke Inlet. Once we crossed Dixon Entrance the water became log-infested and we had to be careful not to hit any. It was just as well we were going slowly.
Tonight we are staying in the South Bar Harbor marina in Ketchikan. We needed some fuel and groceries (we couldn’t bring fruit and vegetables in from Canada) and were interested to see town. The people at the port were friendly and helpful, but I’m not really loving Ketchikan. Downtown feels like it is just a collection of souvenir and jewelry shops for the visiting cruise ship passengers. There were two cruise liners in port when we came into town, and they dominate the tiny town.
The downtown area does look cute. It’s nice the way they’ve painted the buildings with bright colors, presumably to compensate for the grayness of the weather.
I‘ll be glad when we head back into less developed areas tomorrow. Next stop Misty Fjords National Monument!
I wanted very much to see that whale..but we only got a 9bird log!😫. bob and I had a few hours in Ketchikan when we were on the Alaska Ferry. We had to dock far from town cause the cruise ships take up town docks. I remember walking along time and that curve to town..not very interesting and then all the shops selling trinkets and crap to tourists. We are packing up the camper now and heading out on Monday. I remember you and Ryan making countless trips back and forth to your boat when packing up to leave!