Alaska, Part 2: Ketchikan, Misty Fjords and Wrangell (July 11–13)

Welcome to Ketchikan!

Ketchikan is known for its deep roots in the Native Tlingit culture and is filled with totem poles. We visited the Saxman Native Village and were able to watch as they were creating these beautiful works of art, and our guide talked about all the symbolism in the totem poles—it was fascinating! Here are a few of the totem poles I saw around Ketchikan:

... and a lady

Ketchikan is only slightly less known for its yarn store:

The next day, we traveled to Misty Fjords National Monument. Normally, the scenery is ... well ... misty. Lots of fog in and around the trees, giving the area an otherworldly feel. Not for us, though. It was warm and sunny the day we visited, so we got this sparkly view instead:

This was my first seal sighting on the trip as well:

The seals were a long way away, and even though I used my actual camera with its zoom lens, I didn't really get great pictures. Still, I was just happy I saw them!

The next day we went to Wrangell, where I saw ANOTHER totem pole:

And also this moose made out of moose antlers:

But the coolest thing about Wrangell are the garnets. Wrangell has a garnet deposit that was once owned by a mining company. Eventually the deposit was willed to the young people of the town. To this day, only the children of Wrangell have free use of the site. They go with their families to look for garnets in the rocks and streams, and then they sell the stones to visitors at the ferry terminal, at the city's cruise ship dock, and in the city museum and gift stores. As I walked through town, I noticed that shards of garnet are embedded in the sidewalks!

Here's a close-up!

Later in the morning, I left for my most anticipated excursion: the Anan Wildlife Observatory! I took so many pictures that afternoon that it requires an entire blog post of its own. See you there!