Ketchkian AK: Don't Think Of It As Nowhere

Ketchikan, Alaska is an isolated island community with 6000 residents, 100 miles north of Prince Rupert BC and 250 miles south of Alaska’s capital Juneau.

Remember when Sarah Palin criticized and then killed the “bridge to nowhere?”

Residents here think both Ketchikan/Revillagigedo Island (one proposed terminus of the brigde) and Gravina Island (the other proposed terminus and home of Ketchikan International Airport are “somewhere.”

For now though, the bridge is nowhere, and the airport is served by this $5.00, two minute ferry boat.

Ketchikan’s main attraction that does not involve fish or fjords is the world famous Deer Mountain Trail.

Five miles of “most difficult” hiking up to the top – from deep moss, to sub-alpine, to snow deep enough to end our quest short of the summit.

Despite that Ketchikan had doubled in size yesterday with three cruise ships in port, we met only six brave tiny hikers on the trail.

The three thousand buffet people were apparently window shopping for jewelry, watching the lumberjack show and sending boxes of salmon to points yonder.

We also met a PhD Sasquatch expert who did bird calls and a variety of British, Canadian and American accents for us.

Ketchikan is isolated but since there is no way to drive there and there are only 50 miles of road end to end on the Island, there is probably little grand theft auto.

So, if you like Seattle’s weather, but dislike its non-jewelry shopping and traffic, Ketchikan may be for you.