Solo Sojourns

And so to the last port of call before returning to Vancouver. Tomorrow we’ll be at sea for the entire day and night.

Finally found a place that’s wetter than Broadford. Ketchikan gets over 230 inches a year, today was no exception. It was heavy. The cruise brollies we’re out in force. I was supposed to go out to some beauty spots with a pro photographer but given the weather and a sore throat I thought it better to cancel the excursion.

As I keep observing on this trip, Salmon holds cultural and ecological importance for many indigenous communities in the North West Pacific region. None more significantly than Ketchikan. Known as the salmon state capital of the world, it sees an impressive salmon run each year, where all five species of North American salmon fight their way upstream to spawn. Shops are full of salmon products.

It has been a staple food source for generations and is deeply intertwined with their traditions and way of life.

Along the street I saw this sign. A stark reminder that we’re in the Pacific ring of fire here and subject to tremors and earthquakes which can trigger tsunamis. Last sizeable quake 7.7 was in 2012 and occurred 170 miles south of Ketchikan. The quake prompted a brief tsunami warning and got Ketchikan’s attention.

Apart from salmon there are the usual craft stores selling furs, sculptures, Indian art and so on.

Funny to see legalised Cannabis stores in both BC and Alaska. You need ID and they won’t serve anyone under 21.

The Pacific North West does not disappoint. It has a rich cultural heritage of indigenous peoples going back thousands of years. The wildlife and geographical and geological features are impressive. It’s a land of plenty. I’ve had a great time. First with two lovely friends I met in the Camino in 2014 and then on a weeks cruise. The cruise was perfect for seeing the Glaciers up close but I’d probably have preferred to plan a land journey to find out more about the things I only briefly encountered on the ship. And I’d like to have seen more wildlife because no one can ever get enough of that stuff!