Alaska 2014

Ketchikan snakes for several miles along the southwestern shore of Revillagigedo Island, facing Tongass Narrows. With 14,000 inhabitants, the fourth largest community is known as "Alaska's First City" because it is the first town travelers reach when ferrying north. The city was established in 1887 when a salmon cannery was built at the mouth of the Ketchikan Creek. Today fishermen and loggers still contribute to a colorful atmosphere in the cafes and bars around the waterfront. Situated at the conjunction of three cultures - Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshan - the community proudly features the Totem Heritage Culture Center, the Totem Bight State Park, and the Saxman Native Village. In Ketchikan, rainfall is measured in feet, not inches, averaging over 14 feet each year. As you can see from the photos, we were blessed with cool, rainy weather on this visit to Ketchikan.