Trip notes - Cruise and Ketchikan

[nitrah55]

Our fears about the demographics of the cruise were not well founded. Certainly a good number of geriatrics, but some college age people, too. Holland America skews old, and the pace is mellow and the music is subdued on board. I am of an age where I like that.

After a day, we arrive in Ketchikan, billed as Alaska's first city (since it's about the first anyone arrives at) and the salmon capital of the world (I think several salmon serve on the town board).

They measure annual rainfall in feet there- this year looks like another 13 foot year. As you might suspect, it was raining lightly when we arrived. We had booked a flightseeing tour over and into Misty Fjords National Monument. By the way, any of you thinking of becoming strippers in the Pacific Northwest might consider changing your name to Misty Fjords. But I digress.

Our floatplane took off gently, and in only a few minutes we were above a mountainous wilderness abundant with snow, lakes, mountain goats, bears, and just plain stuff. Glorious. You must do this if you're in K'kan. We landed on a lake, not far from some otters. It is very quiet out there.

Ketchikan itself is a tourist trap. If you're there for lunch, go to Annabelle's and have the Clam chowder in the sourdough bowl.

Our pilot pointed out where the "Bridge to Nowhere" would have gone, were it there. They have already paved the road to where it would go. The purported purpose of the bridge would have been to connect the island on which Ketchikan's airport is across a narrow inlet with Ketchikan proper. The bridge would be costly because it would have to be tall enough and wide enough to allow cruise ships to pass underneath it.

[ulysses5019]

Our fears about the demographics of the cruise were not well founded. Certainly a good number of geriatrics, but some college age people, too. Holland America skews old, and the pace is mellow and the music is subdued on board. I am of an age where I like that.

After a day, we arrive in Ketchikan, billed as Alaska's first city (since it's about the first anyone arrives at) and the salmon capital of the world (I think several salmon serve on the town board).

They measure annual rainfall in feet there- this year looks like another 13 foot year. As you might suspect, it was raining lightly when we arrived. We had booked a flightseeing tour over and into Misty Fjords National Monument. By the way, any of you thinking of becoming strippers in the Pacific Northwest might consider changing your name to Misty Fjords. But I digress.

Our floatplane took off gently, and in only a few minutes we were above a mountainous wilderness abundant with snow, lakes, mountain goats, bears, and just plain stuff. Glorious. You must do this if you're in K'kan. We landed on a lake, not far from some otters. It is very quiet out there.

Ketchikan itself is a tourist trap. If you're there for lunch, go to Annabelle's and have the Clam chowder in the sourdough bowl.

Our pilot pointed out where the "Bridge to Nowhere" would have gone, were it there. They have already paved the road to where it would go. The purported purpose of the bridge would have been to connect the island on which Ketchikan's airport is across a narrow inlet with Ketchikan proper. The bridge would be costly because it would have to be tall enough and wide enough to allow cruise ships to pass underneath it.

Sounds great so far. I probably went on this same cruise several years ago. I was on the Statendam. And I concur that the age skews older. Maybe I'm in that "older" demographic. Do they still do the trivia quiz? One of the dancers from the floor show was the "librarian" and proctored the quiz.

[nitrah55]

We did the trivia quiz twice. The proctor was the cruise director.

Beloved Son and I won the first time, we got key rings.

The Bride and I lost the second time. The prize was Holland America picture frames; we were not broken up about losing.

[ulysses5019]

We did the trivia quiz twice. The proctor was the cruise director.

Beloved Son and I won the first time, we got key rings.

The Bride and I lost the second time. The prize was Holland America picture frames; we were not broken up about losing.

LOL. I managed to win a HA cup, fridge magnet, umbrella, coasters and letter opener. Then I doubled my haul when I discovered Mr. Statendam (ice breaking shipboard game).

[peacock2121]

I am and shall remain jealous.

[earendel]

We did the trivia quiz twice. The proctor was the cruise director.

Beloved Son and I won the first time, we got key rings.

The Bride and I lost the second time. The prize was Holland America picture frames; we were not broken up about losing.

LOL. I managed to win a HA cup, fridge magnet, umbrella, coasters and letter opener. Then I doubled my haul when I discovered Mr. Statendam (ice breaking shipboard game).

Add to that the rolling suitcase I that I won as part of the "mother lode" of prizes on the J!-like game show night.

[nitrah55]

We did the trivia quiz twice. The proctor was the cruise director.

Beloved Son and I won the first time, we got key rings.

The Bride and I lost the second time. The prize was Holland America picture frames; we were not broken up about losing.

LOL. I managed to win a HA cup, fridge magnet, umbrella, coasters and letter opener. Then I doubled my haul when I discovered Mr. Statendam (ice breaking shipboard game).

Add to that the rolling suitcase I that I won as part of the "mother lode" of prizes on the J!-like game show night.

I forgot that both Beloved Son and I competed in the "Game Show" event.

Two rounds, four people at podiums with sound buttons to buzz in.

Beloved Son was in the first round, which he won.

I was in the second round. My priorities were (a) get a better score than Beloved Son and (b) win, in that order.

I did both.

All participants got tote bags. Nothing extra for winners.

Afterwards, I asked the Bride and Beloved Son, "Was it obvious I was holding back?"

They said yes, but they know me.

[MarleysGh0st]

All participants got tote bags. Nothing extra for winners.

What kind of New Age "don't damage their self-esteem" nonsense is that?