Welcome to Ketchikan!

Our stop in Ketchikan ranged the hours from 7:00am -12:30 noon.  We were off the ship so early that the carpets in the elevator hadn’t even been changed yet!  LOL!

Ketchikan is considered the “Gateway to the Inside Passage” because of its extreme southern location.  When we stepped off the ship, a group of historical characters in bronze welcomed us to their city.  After a stop in the visitors center to locate a map of the town, we set off to find the boarded planks that Ketchikan is most known for – Creek Street.  There is no sugar coating the reputation that part of town has been known for in history, but today, those colorful houses built on the water are now shops where visitors can purchase souvenirs and gifts.  There are many, many shops to choose from but if you know what you want and are willing to hunt it down, there’s no doubt you can find the exact thing you’re looking for.  As we strolled down the boardwalk, casually looking through the stores, a sudden commotion took place outside.  People gripped the handrails and leaned out over looking into the water below.  Then, just when you thought there couldn’t possibly be anything worth staring at in the still waters, a seal popped its head out of the creek.  I snapped a photo and walked away satisfied with the wildlife I saw on the trip.

The seal from Creek Street says “hello.”

If you continue down the boardwalk on “Married Man’s Trail” you will come to the Salmon Ladder.  Reviews online mentioned that you could see the salmon swimming upstream if it was the right time of the year.  Sure enough, as the walkway ended, salmon pushed against each other in the water below trying to get further upstream.  I was surprised how many there were – you couldn’t miss ‘em!

Above Creek Street is the side of a mountain…at least that’s what it felt like after hiking straight up approximately 110 steps!  At the end of the boardwalk steps began a long ascent up to the lookout, which was well worth the effort.  Up there, you could see over the town, ships and ridges beyond the sound.  It was beautiful!  There is also a resort at the top called Cape Fox Lodge that has an elevator from the lodge down to Creek Street – so if you want to reach the top without walking, just pay $2 and ride up in the elevator!  They called it an “elevator” but it really reminded me of a smaller version of the Swiss Air-Tram’s in Juneau and Gatlinburg that go straight up the side of the mountain.  A quick, fun ride!

We went back to the ship at noon and grabbed some lunch at the buffet.  As we sat there, a voice came over the PA system, “Would so-and-so and so-and-so report to the nearest telephone and call this number immediately!”  This happened three times before the ship blew a last boarding call…then we sailed out of Ketchikan.  It wasn’t until later on during a concert that I heard the ship left a lady in Ketchikan!  From what was said, the lady became separated from her friend and didn’t make it back to the ship before it left.  So, she had to fly from Ketchikan to Victoria, B. C. (our next stop) to meet the ship there.  I had heard of cruise ships leaving people before, but it was so weird to be there when it actually happened!

The creek that runs through Creek Street – salmon below!

That evening, Charles and Andy Stanley had a question and answer session in the Vista Lounge.  This was one of the highlights of the cruise for me; listening to Dr. Stanley talk about his life, the struggles he went through and the things God has used his ministry for was truly inspiring.  They sat on upholstered chairs in the middle of the stage; Andy read the questions that were submitted and Dr. Stanley answered them.  Some of the questions were “When did you know God called you to be a pastor?” “Who has influenced you the most?” “Where did the idea for the name ‘In Touch’ come from?”  All of these led into stories about Dr. Stanley’s life and how God has grown their ministry.  In Touch Ministries goes into 115 million homes, 160 countries, 2800 radio stations and material on the “Messengers” have been translated into over 50 languages.  On top of that, the In Touch website is the second most viewed Christian website in the world!  What an impact Dr. Stanley’s life has made!  Andy talked about the “Life Principles” book and how that developed the idea for the Life Principles Bible.  When asked what are some of the key principles that have shaped his life that could help others, Dr. Stanley answered…

1 God will move heaven and earth to show you His will when you are serious to find it.

2 God will provide for you.

3 Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.

4 Trust God to protect you.

“You will remain young and useful as long as you plan for tomorrow.  If you’re not planning for tomorrow, what is your mind on?”  – Charles Stanley 

Our historical friends…

After the Q & A session we walked around the ship for a little while and then headed back to our cabin.  I really enjoyed our stop in Ketchikan.  We were very blessed to get out early and walk around the town before it began drizzling again and then browsed through the shops when it did.  It was one of those places where you just felt like you were in Alaska.  (I’ve probably said that in every review!  But it’s true!)  The mountains felt so close and seeing the seal and salmon in the creek really made it feel like you were close to nature.  The session with Dr. Stanley and Andy was one of the best parts of the cruise.  Though I’m familiar with a lot of Dr. Stanley’s teachings, books and some of the personal stories he shares in those, it was an awesome time to sit and listen to him talk about his life.  God has done some amazing things in his ministry, but sometimes we only see the grandness of it all and miss what he had to go through to get to that point.  I walked away from that session with an even greater respect for Dr. Stanley and what he teaches.

Have you read all my posts about the Alaska Cruise?  You can by clicking the links below…

Where we departed from – A Day in Seattle

Saturday – Alaska Bound

Sunday – The Tale of the Whale

Monday – Bears, Glaciers and Waterfalls

Tuesday – Mountains of God

Wednesday – Remnants of Russia