Sunshine and Totem Poles - Wonders of Prince of Wales, Alaska

May 17 - If Ketchikan is the urban center for this part of southeast Alaska, Prince of Wales (a.k.a. POW) is its total opposite. But I’m getting a head of myself.

Woke up in Signal Creek campground in a heavy mist which went from a comfortable drizzle to a steady downpour while walking the dogs around Ward Lake. In spite of the rain, this trail has to be at the top of my list for best hikes to take between 6 and 7 AM. The lake is looking glass flat and the waterfowl are just starting to feed. There are other folks walking but it is in no way crowded.

Although we have had at least one other camper each night during our stay at Signal Creek, this morning the campground is almost full. There are campers in vans, tents, cars, and one group in just sleeping bags. The children were stretched out under the picnic table and the dads beside with a blue tarp over them. Hearty campers these Alaskans.

Fred tried Alaskan Amber on tap and says it is good. Not sure why. Since I don’t drink will have to pull an explanation out of him (or someone else) before I can do a thing for our next newsletter.

We’ve been in Alaska for a week now (amazing but true) and haven’t seen one bear, thank you very much. But we have seen more Bald eagles than robins. My heart starts racing each time we spot one. Magnificent bird.

The motorhome’s slideout room continues to malfunction. Fred has been able to coax it into working. I wonder every time he puts it out, "Is this the last time?" Call me old fashion but I think the fewer mechanical moving parts you have, the less problems. Well, its time for the motorhome and generator to have oil changes. Maybe that mechanic can help us with the slideout’s malfunction.

Speaking of our time in Alaska, I’m still adjusting to the increased daylight thing. I still find it being light enough at 4AM to see the freckle on the back of my hand disconcerting. Fred says I should stay up pass 10PM and sleep in. That way it won’t bother me. Makes sense in a twisted male way.

After lunch we headed back into Ketchikan to dump out waste tanks and top of gasoline and propane tanks before we caught the 3:30PM Inter-Island Ferry for POW.

This ferry is a lot smaller than the Alaska Marine Highway ferry that brought us to Ketchikan. I like it. In many ways, it is just a smaller version of the big ferry but it feels more comfortable, homer, and steadier. (This last feature might be because we stayed in "sheltered" water.) The best analogy I can think of is it’s like spending lazy warm Sunday afternoon in a hammock with a glass of perfect lemonade watching life go by. All this breath-taking scenery passing by while the other folks are seated around talking about their reasons for going to Ketchikan, what they did while away from POW/home, what’s been happening back on POW, and other general gossip.

As we pass the mile after mile of trees that cover islands barely above the water’s surface and towering shear-faced islands that appear to have no flat places for even a sea kayaker to dock, it’s hard to understand why logging has be curtailed. It would appear, at least in this area, trees are plentiful and, properly managed, a truly renewable resource. Guess I need to talk to more people about this.

Pulled into our next campground, Harris River, and found a nice enough campsite near a handpump (good for building muscles), made dinner, and headed for bed. It was a good day and tomorrow should be likewise.

May 18 - BLUE SKY!!! OMG!!! This is a first since our arrival in Alaska. May not be as blue as in Arizona but might be more welcomed.

Spent the day exploring the area between Klawock and Kasaan on POW. Saw a bunch of black bears, Sitka deer, and Bald eagles. Each animal seemed bigger than their mainland cousins. Another thing to investigate - Is the wildlife on POW actually larger than the average and if so why?

It was a glorious day all the way around but the highlight was the totem park in Kasaan. It was a awesome experience.

Have a bunch of pictures which will better illustrate what I mean than any of my words could do. Will get those pictures together and post asap.

A super day but I’m pooped. I think I’m beginning to understand why there is so much sunlight in this place – you need it to do all that there is to do!!!