April 28 - Ketchikan, Alaska

 We woke up to see this outside our cabin window.

We aren't docked right near town as we have been in years past.  RCL (the parent company of Regent Seven Seas Cruises) has its own dock now outside of town.  It's sort of a shame because we used to be able to just get off the ship and be steps from town.  Perhaps other ships dock there now.  A shuttle is provided so you can get into town about 5 miles down the road if you want.

Our tour today was Alaskan Lodge Adventure and Seafeast.  Phil and Norm/Margaret were also on our bus.  Norm/Margaret live in BC and were also on my pub tour yesterday.  We took a bus for 20 minutes north to meet a boat which took us to a lodge.  It was a nice, large, enclosed flat bottom boat so the ride was quick and smooth.  The tide was out so it was a very steep ramp down to the boat and then back up to the lodge.  There was no chance of slipping, but it was still a little hairy.  At the lodge (less National Park Lodge and more fishing lodge) there is a boardwalk through the forest which is beautiful.

The terminal is a converted mill building and is huge.  There is a very large souvenir and sundries store inside, although it's not heated, so it was rather chilly.

The boat to the lodge

One of the interesting chainsaw wood carvings along the walk.

The number of mosses around was amazing.

Ketchikan normally gets 8-10 feet of rain every year.  The record is 15 feet.

This spruce tree is estimated to be 1000-1500 years old and is 40 feet around and 180 feet tall. Forest fires don't happen because it's so wet and lightning storms are very rare. Wind is what does the most damage in the forests as the trees have very shallow roots and they all intermingle their roots.  If one goes down, it takes several others with it.  This tree was leaning towards us, but it was a calm day, so no worries.  

After our walk in the woods, we went back to the lodge for a shrimp/crab boil feast.  Very southern style with shrimp, crab, sausage, corn, and potatoes all served right on the table that was covered in old newspapers.  No plates or utensils required, but there were a few condiments.

After lunch, we took the boat back to the bus, and along the way we saw some more sea lions sunning themselves and an island with a bald eagle nest.  Those eagles began to stir as we approached in expectation of the fish that the guide threw out to bring them soaring near the boat.  This was the best shot I could get through the boat window. With at least 4 tour boats today, they got some easy meals.

We were very lucky with the weather today.  It rained just a little bit occasionally but passed on quickly.  We were told that it rained nonstop yesterday.

Again we played men vs women in Trivia and I think it was a draw between us, but neither team ended up in points territory.  We had 8/15 and supposedly at least one team had 14/15.  It's always the same team that has the highest score so we are a bit skeptical.

Nine of us went to Compass Rose for dinner and again they put us at the center Captain's Table.  We have been given Customs forms for Canada and we were comparing notes on having the forms rejected by the Reception Desk.  Even though the form clearly says members of the same household may use the same form, Regent is insisting on one form per person with no scratchouts or corrections.  The say CBC want perfect forms and one per person.  Every one of us had had returned forms. No use arguing, so we had to get 2 new forms on our way to dinner, and I folded them into thirds to fit into Michael's shirt pocket.  While filling them out "perfectly" after dinner, I noticed a red notice that said Do Not Fold Form.  Uh oh.  I submitted them anyway, and after a thorough check, they accepted them.  We may still get a call, but for now we're OK.

We lose our last hour of time tonight and have a sea day tomorrow.