Ketchican

First port of call after a full day at sea.We had spent yesterday exploring the ship and getting our bearings - even so, I still turn the wrong way getting out of the lift! Dinner last night was one of the formal evenings but it ws disappointing to see that so few people had made the effort to get dressed up - there were still a few jeans and casual shirts in the didning room. The show in the theatre was a tribute to Braodway with the singers and dancers running through a large selection of songs from several decades of shows.
Our shore excursion was booked for 8am so after an early breakfast we transferred to the quayside for our short bus ride to Backcountry Jeep Safaris. Our trip was about 4 hours long and it was to consist of off roading in a Jeep Wrangler and then paddling a canoe across a lake for a snack and a short nature walk before canoeing back for a bit more off-roading.

After signing the waiver(!) we were asigned to our Jeep and headed off in our small convoy along the the road and in to the forest. The views were wonderful as we headed higher on up to the lake. The Jeeps were all equipped with CB radios so that we could keep in touch with our guide and there was some good banter as we went along. At the lake we were given a paddle and a life vest and then we all got in to a large canoe (there were only about 16 of us) and we paddled across to a decked area where we had smoked salmon, coffee, clam chowder and rolls and then we had a short walk through the woods where various plants, trees etc were pointed out to us. Our guide - or handsome guide as he liked to be known - was really funny and everone had a great time. Back across the lake and back in to the Jeeps for some real off-roading along some disused logging routes. Our guide was a chiropractor in the winter and I think he was just drumming up some business - we were well rattled and shaken about by the time we got back on to the proper highway! A great day and a nice break from the hustle and bustle of the ship.
Back in Ketchican we had a wander round the town, which didn't take too long. Around the harbour area is obviously a tourist spot with lots of stores mostly selling jewellery but a little further back is the famous Creek Street which is very pretty now but in the old days was a bit infamous. Its made up of wooden houses built out over the creek and was known as where salmon and men came up river to spawn. Not much sign o the men, but the creek was full of Pacific salmon many of whom were dead as they had already spawned.
Back down at the dock we had a quick coffee and sat in the sun before going back on board. Dinner over, we went to see the show again and this time it was a comedian who had the audience in stitches - especially wih his observational humour about how tiring cruising is.