June 12, 2011
In Ketchikan we had a bear that kept coming into the campground and we never saw it. One morning it wandered into a campsite and surprised folks eating b’fast. Another morning it scared a neighbor who let her dog out and the dog took off after the bear. Then yesterday, before leaving for the ferry, several dogs took off down a stream to chase a bear away. In spite of all that action, Marty was content to “fight her fear” and go for a 3 mile hike up into the rain forest to a lake with a beautiful waterfall tumbling down the mountainside. The day previous we had also taken the mile long walk around the lake.
The first day we were there we spent much of the time wondering around the town and taking in all the commercialism. We did learn a little history as well, but not much. There were 4 and at times, 5 cruise ships disgorging 10,000 people!
Yesterday, the 11th we took the ferry at 4 pm and cruised to Wrangall arriving here here around 10 pm. We stayed in a private campground that was literally a gravel parking lot. The pits. Tonight we’re in the Wrangall city campground and tomorrow we hope to move up the road a bit to Nemo National Forest Service campground.
It’s been raining on and off ever since we got here with short breaks. This afternoon we took a boat cruise up the Stikine River for about 6.5 hours – didn’t see much wildlife but the beauty is indescribable. At one point we got off the boat for a few mins and heard about some studies being done on the King Salmon in the river. Then another time we got off the boat at a sandbar and found wolf prints along with a set of moose and calf prints. Our guide surmised that the wolf was after the calf and was tailing the mom looking for an opportunity.
Now tonight we’re going to play at least 3 games of Rummy Cube. Marty is whipping me this round and that has to stop…right now. I’m thinking that one of our friends has a good idea - they don’t keep score!
June 13, 2011
Today is a “chore” day – laundry and showers first, the move to new site at National Forest Service campground – if they have room (4 sites only). We just plan to relax, read, play a game, etc. I’m still reading Mitcher’s ALASKA and am about 400 pages into it with 500 to go. I especially enjoy the history part of his writing.
We have one more day in Wrangall tomorrow – will probably just hang around the campground, maybe take a walk on one of the Forest Service roads, or just read. When I planned this trip, I really only wanted two full days here, but the ferry schedule limited us since we wanted to go to Petersburg as well. Oh well.
Pics later. Library closes in 5 mins for lunch.
The bear stories sound so cartoon-y from a distance--"pic-a-nik baskets!!" But I remember from personal experience-pure chilling fear including insomnia that "fighting the fear" is not for cowards. There's a big difference between seeing a wild animal contained in its zoo area and when you encounter one on its own terms. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYour trip sounds fabulous. I love seeing you two in pictures smiling and relaxed. The biggest hazard I feared was a possible let-down after years of anticipation. But it does not seem like this is any real danger at all. Chased off by dogs and conquered by a 3-mile hike into bear country!! Yay!!
Have a happy Father's Day! Glad you'll be spending it doing what you love best!
Love,
Jackie