Seniors Catch Up To Ketchikan
Ketchikan, Alaska is where seniors will find their lifestyle to be their reward. An island community accessible by air or by sea, Ketchikan is about 500 miles north of Seattle. It’s found on the famed Inside Passage waterway and is a popular destination for cruise visitors, sport fishermen and adventurous senior visitors.
Ketchikan is not very large, 14,000, but nevertheless it ranks fifth in population for Alaska. Ketchikan, named after Ketchikan Creek, which flows through the town, derives its name from the Tlingit name for the creek, Kitschk-hin, the meaning of which is unclear. It may mean “the river belonging to Kitschk”; other accounts claim it means “Thundering Wings of an Eagle.”
Ever seen a totem up close? Ketchikan boasts the world’s largest collection of Northwest totems. And this video highlights Ketchikan at its best. You can enjoy a Float Plane Trip over the city, one thing I would personally make a priority. And hey, go catch your lunch on a Classic Alaska Charter.
Heart of the Tongass National Forest
The Tongass National Forest, the nation’s largest national forest, covers most of southeast Alaska, surrounding the famous Inside Passage. It offers senior visitors unique opportunities to view eagles, bears, spawning salmon, and the breath-taking vistas of “wild” Alaska. The ½-mile-wide channel called the Tongass Narrows separates Ketchikan from Gravina Island, where Ketchikan International Airport is located. Catch up on a little local history here along with a photographic past.
The “official website“has many scenic sites that attract folks from all over the world. You’ll find Things to Do, a Traveler’s Directory, help getting there as well as an invitation to tour the town. If you enjoy videos like I enjoy videos, Ketchikan Videos provide a nice overview of the city as well as some great advice on fishing, which is a huge industry there. In fact is is known as the “Salmon Capital of the World .”
Our Good Travel Website Friends Invite Senior Readers
Frommers, TripAdvisor, (wow, look at those neat photos!), Lonely Planet and Fodors will more than fill your itinerary. An Alaska Travel Guide that focuses on Ketchikan proves to me to be helpful as well. I leave you today with a nice map. Do you see Ketchikan way down low? There are several great photos as well, compliments of World Guide.
So senior travelers, fire up your interests in Alaska and check in on Ketchikan. Last Sunday’s blog on the 2013 travel predictions included Alaska cruises selling fast. Send for a free guide and have fun way up north. jeb