Gemini Rising

Looking for Sarah Palin #4

Ketchikan & Hockey?

Well, I wish I could have gotten to this entry earlier, but it’s been busy out my way, my apologies. Next on the itinerary was Ketchikan. We arrived early, around 7 am, but didn’t have much time in the town. The ship was going to leave at 1 pm. We had excursions to visit Totem Bight State Historical Park and see a Lumberjack show.

Ketchikan is probably first “big” town in Alaska you’ll come to on the inside passage. The inside passage is that arm of Alaska that reaches down into Canada on the coast. There’s a lot of islands and inlets. It’s considered the southernmost entrance of the inside passage. It’s also considered Alaska’s first city, as it’s the first one you’ll encounter as you come up from Puget Sound. Ketchikan’s airport is on a separate island close to the coast, but once you land, you need to take a ferry to reach the city proper.

On the day we visited, there was a light rain and mist. We rushed off the ship and found our line to visit Totem Bight State Park. It’s 33 acres and features vivid totem poles by the Tlingit and Haida Native American Indians. Not only that, there’s a Tlingit Clanhouse among the poles. Each totem pole told an amazing story (sadly, I don’t remember many) but what a rich culture. In the early 20th Century, the area was abandoned by the native peoples, and in the 1930’s the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) was hired to restore the poles. They’ve done an amazing job. I would love to spend more time in this area.



Here's a link for more info: https://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/units/totembgh.htm

At the park this was this plant called a skunk plant. I remember it was a big plant with bit yellow blooms. I guess the native wildlife will eat it, but it’s a bit of laxative and it really loosens the bowels. We were cautioned not to eat it.

We must have been there around an hour and 15 mins. I would have enjoyed more time visiting the park, but we had to make the Lumberjack show.



Who knew Lumberjacking was a thing? We went into Ketchikan proper and found the show. I learned there are colleges which offer courses in lumberjacking. Lumberjacks climb poles, spilt logs, throw axes, etc. It was a very excited show. The small seating area was spilt into 2 and our section was rooting for the Canadians who won. After that we rushed to boat and stopped at a tourist shop with just enough time to buy souvenir stickers!

I fell in love with Ketchikan. It was so lush and green. Heck, it’s considered part of a National Forest! I wanted to bring an NHL Hockey team to Ketchikan. But I don’t know if that would be do-able. Heck, I was looking on Zillow for summer homes in Ketchikan.

I definitely wanted to spend more time in Ketchikan and learn more about the town and its history. I heard Ketchikan is called the salmon capital of the world, but I was so rushed, I didn’t have time to discover why. Maybe next time I’ll try the salmon.

When Sarah Palin was running for governor, she supported a bridge be built between Ketchikan and Gavina Island, the home to the Ketchikan airport. As governor, she vetoed the legislation that would have provided it, citing fiscal responsibly. Sadly, this decision made the residents of Ketchikan a bit miffed, and boy do they hold a grudge. In 2022, the Republican party of Ketchikan voted to censor her to that decision she made back in 2007.


*****

Here are a couple of my favorite quotes by Sarah Palin:

“Buck up or stay in the truck.”

“America is looking for answers. She’s looking for a new direction; the world is looking for a light. That light can come from America’s great North Star; it can come from Alaska.”

“I love those Hockey moms. You know what they say is the difference between a hockey mom and a pitbull is? Lipstick.”