Friday, November 30, 2007

First City

left side, Ketchikan sign, Alaska


Yesterday, we had the best weather I've seen during my entire month up here. I thought you might enjoy a couple of closeups of the big "KETCHIKAN" sign downtown. Here we see the left side. Scroll down for the right side.

right side, Ketchikan sign, Alaska


They did a good job on this neon sign and have had it for as long as I can remember. See? I'm not THAT old. When the neon flickers, it looks like the fisherman fights the fish.

Ketchikan got known as the "1st City" because when you travel the Inside Passage from the Lower 48 states and Canada, you come to Ketchikan first.

PS--You see the top of Deer Mountain, Ketchikan's tallest mountain at 3,001 feet, under the sign.

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Weight

weight with barnacle debris


Yarr! Me barnacles got plundered off me weight. Shiver me timbers! The scurvy gulls be no friends o' mine.

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

New Dock Progress

new cruise ship dock in progress, Ketchikan, Alaska


So far, they haven't paved paradise but they are adding to the "parking lot". Here we see progress on the addition to the new dock for cruise ships in Ketchikan, Alaska.

Listen: when ships anchor instead of tying to a dock, some tourists choose to stay onboard rather than go ashore via smaller boats. Well, to squeeze out more dollars, I mean get more visitors, you build more dock space.

I read in the KETCHIKAN DAILY NEWS this week that visitors spent 162 million dollars here last year. We shall see what the new dock brings.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Tall Hydrant

tall fire hydrant, Saxman, Alaska


Not a totem, of course, but a tall fire hydrant at Saxman, Alaska's totem park...and, as you can see, rust never sleeps...

Monday, November 26, 2007

Sunday, November 25, 2007

The End

pothole at the end of the road, Juneau, Alaska


My week in Juneau went by so fast. I could never have done all of the things or seen all of the people I wanted to, especially with less than 8 hours of daylight each day. However, I got blessed with a fantastic Thanksgiving. I will try to remember the great fun had instead of the many possibilities missed.

Here we see a pothole at the end of the road, north of town.

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Friday, November 23, 2007

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Parking Garage

parking garage art, Juneau, Alaska


We haven't had any blue sky days while I've been here this week but it hasn't really rained, either. So, I'll take it.

Here we see some public art on one side of the downtown parking garage in Juneau, Alaska.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Juneau Peek

Juneau, Alaska view


Enjoy a peek at the Douglas Bridge in Juneau, Alaska, as seen through some trees at the foot of Mount Juneau.

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Old Face

old totem, Saxman, Alaska


What if you came back now
To our new world, the city roaring
There on the old peaceful camping place
Of your red fires along the quiet water,
How you would wonder;
Planes in the sky over, swarms of cars
Like things frantic in flight.


[all apologies to Oodgeroo Noonuccal, UNDERSTAND OLD ONE]

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Saturday, November 17, 2007

Underwater Grill

grill underwater at Ward Lake


If you have visited here regularly, you know that I am from Alaska. Yes, born and raised, too. I left after High School.

Okay, let me tell you something. I am in Alaska all month. Sorry, I just didn't mention it. For a couple of days this month, I posted some NYC shots taken before I left, and even though I have taken many, many photos this and every year and only a small percentage get posted, I don't like using "old" shots very often. Thus the days this month without a post.

You know, this is a New York City blog and I wasn't going to post Alaska shots, except for a special "when I am back" post ala this summer.

Well, anyhow, I changed my mind. I like posting photos and will share Alaska photos until I'm back in NYC. Alaska is always in my thoughts when I'm in New York, so, in that regard, these are a part of "New York Nitty-Gritty" as much as any others.

Here we see a grill at Ward Lake near Ketchikan, Alaska, my home town. Ketchikan gets well over 100 inches of rain per year--in your face, Seattle!!

Thursday, November 08, 2007

Thursday, November 01, 2007

Jack Lantern

Halloween pumpkin


Can you believe it? I had never carved a pumpkin for Halloween before this year. Here he is! I hope you enjoyed your Halloween, too.