I recently returned from a week of nature, fresh air. and adventure in Ketchikan, Alaska. The purpose of my trip was to share in my niece’s graduation. I was blessed to watch her graduate on a beautiful sunny afternoon.
I experienced rain and sun and had the opportunity to explore several areas of the island, as well as a couple of days on the water (and some fun on an uninhabited neighboring island).
As Alaska’s “First City”, located in the southeast part of the state, the annual rainfall averages 141 inches per year! Every sunny day is a happy one. However, with their dependance on rain, too many dry days will have some homeowners rationing water or having to purchase water to fill their water reservoirs.
Having lived six years in Ketchikan back in the 80’s, I’m familiar with the long rainy seasons.
Many thanks to my brother for playing tour guide as we walked along beaches, strolled downtown (in the rain), and experienced the open sea. Below are a few photos from the downtown area. I’ll share some additional posts with more of my favorite photos.
Rain or shine, Alaska is a beautiful adventure!
PS: Although they were not yet hatched, I also learned that my favorite insect, the dragonfly, is the Alaksa State Insect! Who knew?
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I saw several cruise ships. I was told the number of people in town was lower than normal. We heard that fewer people are actually getting off the ship because of the COVID testing and monitoring. Hopefully as the summer progresses the number of tourists who get out and enjoy the town will increase. Tourism is a key economic factor for the residents.
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You can’t call it an adventure unless it’s tinged with danger. The greatest danger in life, though, is not taking the adventure at all. To have the objective of a life of ease is death. I think we’ve all got to go after our own Everest.
~Brian Blessed
peace of life today 
Alaska was our first cruise in the mid-1990s…. and I remember Ketchikan … It was rainy when we docked, but stopped before starting our zodiac noat ride to an island. A wonderful tour. Thanks for the reminder that I need to return to Alaska.
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They would love to have you return, Frank!! During the past two years they did a lot on the island to improve the tourist experience. Although exploring in the rain is an adventure, I prefer the sun. So stunning!
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Thanks for the encouragement.
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Loved the pictures! It did bring back some memories of the time I got to visit.
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Thank you 😊 It was absolutely beautiful! I was blessed with several days of sunshine. 🌞😎
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Nice
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Thank you!!
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Congratulations to your niece 💐 and gorgeous photos to view , thank you for sharing 🌷🙏♥️🌷
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Thank you so much! Yes, we are very proud of her🥰 …and I got to see some amazing nature in the deal!
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🌷🙏♥️👍🏻🌷
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Lovely blue poppies…and the young Eagle!
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Thank you! Oh, if I had more time in the town with the sun out… I thought those blue poppies were so pretty!
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Gorgeous photos. Chris and I thought of about moving to Ketchikan for awhile. 😀
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Wow, that is fascinating! The summers are awesome!
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They get triple the rain we get in Oregon. We liked the small town, and warmer winter (for Alaska), but thought that much rain would make thing smell to moldy. 😀 😀
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There can be mold there. But boy, the outside air is fresh and wonderful, and smells of the sea!
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This looks such an interesting town to visit, despite the rain! I love the young eagle and those stunning blue poppies 🙂
I’m not a fan of those huge cruise ships but I hope for the sake of the local economy that tourists do start to come back. It will surely improve when/if the US drops the requirement for Covid testing as most other countries have now done?
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Yes, I heard something about a restriction on number of passengers because they go through Canada…?? There are other tourist activities going on though, such as FISHING! The best fishing season is just around the corner 😊
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It is certainly a beautiful place!
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Yes, it is! Rain or shine 😊
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Thanks for sharing your adventures!
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Awww, thanks for stopping by!! 😊
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The dragonfly info is great. I think there must be symbolic in all of that for you. The photos walking us around Ketchikan are fun. Wan’t sure I ever wanted to go because of all the tourism there, but it seems to me, the eagles, and wildlife in general are still present. Nice presentation.
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Thank you, Donna! Yes, lots of wildlife, very beautiful there still! 😊
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We went on a cruise ship to Alaska this past May! We didn’t stay long in Ketchikan but it’s super cool there.
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Yes, it is beautiful! …especially when the sun is out! 🌞 After having lived there for a few years, I don’t miss the wind and the rain too much… 😊
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It rained for a couple hours in Ketchikan but stopped and drizzled a little in Juneau but not much. I bet the rain and cold can get to you after a while!
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Yes, it did me anyway. I ended up moving to the Southwest and I am much happier with the sunshine!!
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I enjoy the sunshine too! So Alaska probably wouldn’t be my permanent residence! Hah!
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Absolutely stunning snaps Lisa, thanks for sharing! 🙏🤩
Made me self reflect on a Mahaweli River Kayaking adventure I had earlier this year in beautiful Island nation of Sri Lanka.
I finished putting together a post on the same and trust me it was a trip for the ages and to steal a line from you “I’d go there in a heart beat”! 🤩
https://sachsattic.wordpress.com/2022/07/24/exploring-the-river-mahaweli-on-a-kayak/
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Thank you!! I do love to travel! 😊
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