Birthday Greetings

We timed our stay at Ketchikan to coincide with the arrival of our son Duane and his family who were on a Cruise touring the major stops of Southeast Alaska.  We were pleased to be able to greet them as they disembarked the Norwegian Pearl at Ketchikan.  

Mariah and Porter on the Boardwalk Trail to Cape Fox Lodge

Their arrival also coincided with Duane’s 40^th Birthday giving us the opportunity to spend some time with him on his special day.  

Birthday Time for Duane

An early morning arrival meant we would all have breakfast together.  With so many tourists in town, we chose a venue that most likely would not be crowded, the Cape Fox Lodge overlooking downtown and the Tongass Narrows.  The funicular that runs to the top of the hill was out of order, but fortunately we knew the back way – a climb up some stairs along a boardwalk trail leading to the Lodge.  We were nearly the only patrons in the restaurant making for a nice, quiet venue to visit with each other and help Duane celebrate his Birthday.  

Native Baskets on Display at Cape Fox Lodge

The Lodge is owned and operated by the Native Cape Fox Corporation and takes its name from the Old Cape Fox Village on the Alaska/B.C. border.  Cape Fox Tlingits along with members of the Tongass Tlingits left the original Cape Fox Village in the early 1900’s and settled in Saxman located just a few miles south of Ketchikan.  Historic photos,

Native Artifacts at Cape Fox Lodge

baskets, bowls and other artifacts from these older Tlingit villages are on display at the Cape Fox Lodge.  After breakfast we toured the Creek Street area of Ketchikan, the historic district of “ill repute” where ladies of the evening were active from the late 1800’s to as recently as the mid-1900’s.  

Creek Street, Ketchikan

Thirty-three houses were reported to be operating in 1927; citizen groups and religious leaders over the years tried to shut Creek Street down.  

Leonard, Duane and Family

Today these houses serve as curio shops for tourists looking to purchase souvenirs of a different sort.  

Creek Street

From Creek Street, we walked back to the main part of town stopping to do a little more shopping along the way.  

The day was warm and having had our fill of shopping, we went to a favorite local pub to quench our thirst - drinks all around accompanied with country-western music by a local entertainer, what fun!  Our time together was short but sweet; by 1pm it was time for the group to board their ship which would be departing at 1:30pm for Victoria, British Columbia.  

Bon Voyage to the Norwegian Pearl

Grandchildren Mariah and Porter talked about all of the activities available for young people on the Cruise Ship and the parents talked about the variety of shows and programs that they have been enjoying as well - so nice to hear that they are having a good time before they need to head back to work and school.

Can we help with the lines?