Well back to Alaska

[Ken The Kanuck]

Getting ready to head back north, I quite like Alaska cruise as the country is similar to the B.C. coast and the folks are of the same stock. The better half isn't even putting her suitcase away as she just got back from 5 days in Las Vegas ( won a trip for 2 in a poker game ) and we are heading out on Friday. Bit of a weather change for her as it was 100 F. in Vegas I believe.

Not being a big tourist tour kind of a guy I tend to hit the small museums and local bars. Last trip the wife and I took a bus for the first time since we been married, went out to the Alaskan brewery and sample some of thier excellent beer. Costco was a block or so away and we couldn't miss that.

I want to take the bus about 10 miles out from downtown Ketchikan and have a look at this place. I'll try to get a picture of that Gatling gun.

"Totem Bight State Park
This seaside park of totem poles holds a special charm. As a Sourdough tour guide narrates the legends of the Tlingit and Haida totem poles, you'll walk along a path in a lush rain forest to the beach. The many totem poles dot your paths as you enjoy the quiet serenity of the park. There is also a Native clan house. We'll take you inside and tell you how the people used to live years ago.


Russian Museum
Another attraction of the park is the Russian museum featuring a magnificent, historic collection of guns dating from 1535-1868. Included in the collection is the third-made Gatling gun made by Mr. Richard J. Gatling himself. The Russian museum also has displays of mammoth tusks, furs and ivory. There is a delightful curio shop adjacent to the museum. "


Anyone else have any ideas for the trip which don't include crowding in with a bunch of tourist it would be most appreciated if you would post them.

KTK
OFC

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Mr. B]

to bad your not heading up to Faribanks, i would take you out to eat just for you to bring me some pistol primers.....Still not a single pistol or rifle primers in Fairbanks/north pole.

Mark B.

[Alaskan]

I don't know much about the South East. What areas will you be visiting?
It will give us a better idea on suggestions.

[Ken The Kanuck]

I don't know much about the South East. What areas will you be visiting?
It will give us a better idea on suggestions.

Here's the trip, we have done it before and I'm not a big shopper,although I bought a nice skinning knife from a local knife maker last year. That and a few groggy nights in Hyder is about it. Although I have spent some time in our north, which again I imagine must be very similar.

Thanks for your help.

Ken

Trip:

Ship: ms Ryndam
Ports of Call: Vancouver, British Columbia; Ketchikan, Alaska; Haines, Alaska; Juneau, Alaska; Sitka, Alaska; Hubbard Glacier Cruising; Seward (Anchorage) Alaska; Skagway, Alaska
Departure Port: Vancouver, British Columbia
Departure Dates: May 22, 2009

[Faulkner]

I've been on three cruises through the area, all on the Princess line. Last year I rented a Harley Sportster in Ketchikan and did some sightseeing on my own, really liked that. Hooked up with a local rider who turned out to be on the police department who spent a couple of hours showing me around off the tourist path.

Out of Juneau I highly recommend catching a float plane over to Taku Lodge at the base of Taku Glacier. It's on an island, so float plane is the only way to get there, but they have great food and the scenary is magnificant.

I also like to take the train on the White Pass & Yukon Rail Road out of Skagway. My attention span to shopping is about 5 minutes, so I also like to go find something else to occupy myself. I thought the train trip up to the Canadian Yukon and back was great.

Picture I took from the train.

[Bill Hollinger]

I wish I was there right now!

[Ken The Kanuck]

I've been on three cruises through the area, all on the Princess line. Last year I rented a Harley Sportster in Ketchikan and did some sightseeing on my own, really liked that. Hooked up with a local rider who turned out to be on the police department who spent a couple of hours showing me around off the tourist path.

Out of Juneau I highly recommend catching a float plane over to Taku Lodge at the base of Taku Glacier. It's on an island, so float plane is the only way to get there, but they have great food and the scenary is magnificant.

I also like to take the train on the White Pass & Yukon Rail Road out of Skagway. My attention span to shopping is about 5 minutes, so I also like to go find something else to occupy myself. I thought the train trip up to the Canadian Yukon and back was great.

Picture I took from the train.

I have to agree with you on the train trip, it is the only shore excursion I have taken. I too really enjoyed that trip, especially riding on the little platform between the cars, that was neat.

Being that I live and work in B.C, main of the shore excursions did not have the appeal to me as for folks from a different area. If I want to go for a hike in a rain forest I'll go for a walk in my back yard and clean up the bush.

My inlaws went on a whale watching tour and as they were telling us about it as we were sitting on the Lido deck the talked about a whale they had seen, I pointed out the window and said like that one. Sure enough they were cruising beside us.

Although I do ride a motorcycle ( not very well as some may remember from the picture of my ankle last fall ) I don't have a motorcycle license, do you need one in Alaska?

I appreciate your help, thanks very much.
KTK

[Jim in Salt Lake]

I think you guys are on the right track with the motorcycle but I think I'd avoid further injury (Ken!) and rent a convertible. I'd even get someone else to drive so I could just enjoy the ride. Now about lunch and that winelist....

[Bill Hollinger]

I have thought about riding my KTM 950 up there. I can't think of a better trip to take.

[jamie5070]

My folks did a trip up there one year. They flew in and rented a motor home for about two weeks. They said it was one of the best trips they ever did.
I used to belong to the Gold Prospectors of America. They and thier sister organization run a mining camp in the summer. I always wanted to spend a week or two up there.
john