ALASKA! -- Day 7 - Ketchikan -

Ketchikan

 

We were off the ship early because we wanted 

to look through some of the tourist shops before our trolley tour -

The trolley tour was interesting, but FAST - 

 Our guide would point out things

but didn't slow down long enough for us to see them - lol -

One thing he shared was that often stairs were considered roads...

You have to park at the bottom of your 'road' and walk up to your house...

The trolley windows were low so that made it harder to see also -

 Still it was good to see some neighborhoods, etc

  

We had a wonderful time at the Saxman Native Village and Totem Garden -

Lots of Totems on the grounds and a wonderful gift shop of locally made crafts.

 

Our tour took us on a walk outside the work shop where they carved totems.

We were told that the ones we'd seen on the dock in Juneau were carved right here!

The highlight, of course was our chance meeting of renowned carver, Nathan Jackson**. SO COOL TO MEET THE ARTIST BEHIND THESE INCREDIBLE WORKS!! We'd slipped away from our tour for a restroom break as we came out he was walking by and said good morning to us - As we answered, he asked where we were from - 

Do you think it was our accents?

 

Turns out his daughter-in-law is from our town [whaa??!!]

And he invited us into his workshop and showed us designs and plans and process, etc. Y'all know I loved it.  We have cedar shavings from his carvings as a souvenir!

 

After we returned to town we met friends at for lunch at The Fish House with a sampling of fish: salmon, cod, halibut and some delicious salmon chowder!!

 

Then we had time to walk along Creek Street and 

take advantage of that photo op you see everywhere

 

We did a little more shopping in town with some unique finds -

and I got that Alaska two-up photo album [and $15 cheaper than in Sitka -]!

 

Back on ship we sat on our balcony and watched float planes before we set sail...

The weather was PERFECT these last couple of days... just cool enough for a jacket.

We got a good nap and enjoyed dinner in the dining room...

Then played train dominoes with friends for a while... 

We've had a wonderful week with this crew!

**From the internets: Among the most famous living Tlingit artists, Nathan Jackson was honored when the National Museum of the American Indian opened in Washington, D.C., in September 2004, featuring one of his totem poles. Jackson has been working in Alaska Native arts since 1959. He attended the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he specialized in fabric design, silkscreen, and graphics. Since 1967, he has been a freelance artist doing traditional-style woodcarving, jewelry and design.

Jackson has completed numerous totem poles, screens, panels, and restoration projects. He has instructed woodcarving and design at several institutions, including the Alaska State Museum, Sheldon Jackson College, the Totem Heritage Center and the University of Alaska. In 1995 was the recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts Heritage Fellowship Award. In 2009, the Rasmuson Foundation recognized his contributions to Alaska by naming him its Distinguished Artist of the Year. Jackson's artwork is on display in every major museum – as well as many public and private buildings – in the state of Alaska. His work can also be found in museums and private collections throughout North America, Europe and Japan.