City Manager 334 Frout Street CitY()f Ketchikan, AK 9990 I Phone (907) 228-560'.l l\ekhlkan Fax (907) 225-5075

TRANSMITTAL MEMORANDUM

TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council

FROM: Lacey G. Simpson, Assistant City Manager

DATE: July 11 , 2019

RE: Ketchikan Visitors Bureau's Quarterly Report of the President and Chief Executive Officer - January Through March 2019

Pursuant to paragraph (a) of Section 14 of the 2019 Community Agency Funding Agreement between the City of Ketchikan and the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau, attached for City Council review is a copy of the President and Chief Executive Officer's quarterly report for the period of January through March 2019. Should Councilmembers have questions and/or concerns regarding the President and Chief Executive Officer's report, staff can attempt to respond accordingly.

AGENDA- 07/18/19- GGFYl3 1ez11 1"11 11 KETCHIKAN Our lifestyle, your reward II•

July 10, 2019

Karl Amylon, Manager City of Ketchikan 334 Front Street Ketchikan, AK 99901

Re: Community Agency Funding Agreement between Ketchikan Visitors Bureau, Inc. and the City of Ketchikan for the Year 2019

Dear Mr. Amylon:

Enclosed please find my report of activities conducted during the 1st quarter of 2019 and invoice #3-5456 requesting payment 2 of 4 as outlined in the 2019 City of Ketchikan-Ketchikan Visitors Bureau Agreement.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact me at your convenience.

Thank you for your assistance and attention to this matter.

Sincerely, -faai-~ Patti Mackey President & CEO Ketchikan Visitors Bureau, Inc.

50 Front St. Ste. 203, Ket chikan, AK 99901· 907-225-6166 • pmackey@visit-ket chikan.com KETCHIKAN VISITORS BUREAU Activity report to the City of Ketchikan 1st Quarter 2019 activities

Marketing statistics are included in the dashboard report that is attached. This format has been created to provide an "at a glance" review. If you have any questions or would like further information, please don't hesitate to let me know.

Top paid lead generating* sources this quarter/year to date: Pay per click advertising FreeTravelGuides.com www.alaskasinsidepassage.com {SE AK Tourism Council) Journeys/VIA Magazine {AAA WA/ OR) Alaska State Vacation planner www.travelalaska.com {Official State of AK traveler site)

We also generated leads from internet searches, national guide books {i.e. AAA motorists), friend and family referrals, prior year KVB visitor guides that are still in circulation and the chamber of commerce.

* Leads are defined as a visit to our web site prompted by an advertisement and all requests for a copy of our visitor guide. Pay per click advertising is placed with Google, as well as search engines such as Bing, MSN and Yahoo

Ketchikan Trip Planner guide requests this quarter/year to date break down as follows: 80% visiting by cruise 8% by air 7% by 6% undecided

Trip Planner distribution this quarter: 15,572 YTD: 15,572 Arrival Guide distribution {local racks): 6,545 YTD: 6,545

Hotel occupancy rates compared to prior year: Rooms occupied this quarter: 13,058 {42%) 2018: 15,646 (44%)

Events generating hotel occupancy/bed nights* in Ketchikan this quarter include: Jazz & Cabaret, Weara ble Art Show, Rainy Day Quilters Show, Tongass Federal Credit Union annual meeting, Coast Alaska Board meeting, SSEABIA Home Show, First City Council on Cancer Auction, FSA Food Show These events combined with performances, fund raisers and private functions generated an estimated economic impact for meetings, conventions and events of: January: $ 10,044.00 February: $ 23,436.00 March: $ 32,922.00 Total Qtr/YTD: $ 66,402.00 *Figures are for events held at Ted Ferry Civic Center and/or groups who utilized KVB services. Some hotels consider this information proprietary and will not provide data to the KVB. Actual figures are typically higher than reported.

www.visit-ketchikan.com Stats for the quarter/ytd: Unique visitors: 43,965 New visitors: 42,370 % of New Visitors: 96% Of note: As indicated in last quarterly report we boosted our ad word buys to help drive more visitors to the site. This resulted in a 14% increase in new visits over same period last year, 9% over 2017 first quarter. Overall visits to the site (unique users) increased 13% and 8% respectively.

Highlights for the quarter KVB's Board of Directors and Advisors met January 8 for their annual planning retreat. Board members prioritized tasks for the coming year and determined topics for their 2019 planning sessions. Among the priorities identified: • Work with youth through the school district to educate students on the opportunities for careers in the visitor industry. • Engage the industry in discussions on challenges and opportunities as tourism grows in Ketchikan and to provide input to the borough for its work on a tourism planning document • Enhance community education efforts on the benefits of the industry • Interact with community leaders and serve as a resource on tourism related issues and planning efforts such as dock and uplands development and touri sm master plan

Printing and distribution of the 2019 Ketchikan Arrival Guide commenced in January, with guides printed and received in Ketchikan in February. The arrival guide is specifically written as a tool for people who are already in Ketchikan and is distributed to roughly 35 locations around Ketchikan.

KVB's annual banquet and 2018 awards presentation was held February 22 at Ted Ferry Civic center. Award recipients included:

RAINBIRD AWARD: Stephen Bradford. Presented to the outstanding individual, group or bus iness who has volunteered their time and talents to further the efforts of the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau and the visitor industry in Ketchikan.

SPIRIT OF ALASKA AWARD: Merita Kamberi. Presented to the individual or organization whose friendliness and service to visitors exemplifies Ketchikan's high standards for hospitality. HEART OF THE COMMUNITY: Tongass Trading Company. Recognizes the efforts of an individual or organization within the tourism industry who have demonstrated support for programs that benefit local needs.

CHINOOK AWARD: Lynn Wadley. Presented to the individual or organization in recognition of efforts to bring meetings, conventions and/or events business to the community.

GOLDEN TOTEM AWARD: Ketchikan Museums. Presented to the individual or organization who has demonstrated new ideas and cooperative efforts in working with Ketchikan's visitor industry.

KVB assisted the US Navy's public affairs staff in advance of the Ketchikan port visit of the USS Zumwalt March 22-24 and staffed the visitor center at Berth 2 during the public tours offered on March 23.

Journalist assistance this quarter: Andrew Waite, Alaska Airlines Beyond; Tam Melacca, a French journalist working on a television show "Invitation au voyage" arriving in Ketchikan in May to film a story about salmon; Candy Moulton, True West Magazine-Alaska history, mu seums round up. Catharine Lo Griffin, Hana Hou Magazine- Race to Alaska story. Allen Cox, editor NW Travel & Life, wildlife viewing/birdwatching in Ketchikan.

KVB report t o the City of Ketchikan 1'1 Qtr/2019 activities/ Page 2 of 4 Our quarterly news brief, which is sent to travel journalists featured the following topics : Active travel activities - land, water and underwater adventures Ketchikan on trend for travelers- long weekends, photo opportunities for social media posting Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary's expanded raptor center managed by Sitka based Alaska Raptor Center Only in Ketchikan- unique offerings only found here

The 2019 Ketchikan cruise ship calendar was published this quarter after review by Ports and Harbors and Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska. The theme for the calendar is celebrating Princess Cruises' soth anniversary of sailing in Alaska. I'd like to thank Pioneer Printing for continuing to provide pre-press and printing at no charge.

January Worked with contractors to lay out plans for website upgrades. January member lunch was canceled due to a conflict for the invited speaker.

February Extended offers of 1- and 2-year lease extensions to tenants of the tour center in the Berth 2 visitor information center.

March KVB's March luncheon was organized by the board of directors as a work session with members to discuss challenges and opportunities for the visitor industry. Over 40 people attended the event.

Promoted seasonal visitor information clerk positions, interviewed applicants.

Worked with Port Director Steve Corporon, HAP representative Kari Erickson and carver Kenneth White to discuss Princess' request to gift the berth 2 visitor center with a totem pole that Kenneth had carved on board one of their ships.

Assisted in making arrangements for City of Ketchikan representatives attending SeaTrade to participate in events hosted by ATIA and CUA Alaska in Miami.

State, Regional Tourism activities I attended ATIA board and committee meetings in Juneau February 5 and March 19-20 and participated in several teleconferences throughout the quarter.

I participated in SE Conference's annual Mid-Session Summit, in Juneau Feb 12-13 and served as a panelist for the tourism component of the conference.

I was asked by the AK division of economic development to come to Juneau in March and teach train the trainer sessions for the AlaskaHost customer service essentials program. Fifteen representatives from Juneau based businesses participated in the 2-day training program March 13-14, which was funded through participant fees and Juneau's TBMP (Tourism Best Management Practices) program.

Ketchikan Story Project Provided assistance to CUA Alaska, to obtain footage from the films for use in an advertisement to air on Gavel to Gavel.

KVB report to the City of Ketchikan 1'1 Qtr/2019 activities/ Pa ge 3 of 4 Admin/General Operations activities

The KVB office and Berth 2 visitor center were closed on New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Presidents Day. The Berth 2 visitor center operated on reduced hours on Jan 2-3 and every Friday through January.

Submitted by Patti Mackey, president & CEO

KVB report to the City of Ketchikan 1'1 Qtr/ 2019 activities/Page 4 of 4 Trip Planner & Arrival Guide Distribution by year

20000

18000

16000

14000

12000

10000

8000

6000

4000

2000 0 I I .II I . I 1. I. •- • Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar April May June July Aug Sept Oct

- 2019TPL 2018 TPL - 2017 TPL - 2016 TPL - 2019 ARG - 2018 ARG - 2017 ARG - 2016 ARG

Internet- Paid Searches vs. Organic 25000

20000

15000

10000

5000

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

- 2019PD 2018 PD - 2017 PD - 2016 PD - 2019 ORG - 2018 ORG - 2017 ORG - 2016 Org Hotel Occupancy compared to Available Rooms by Month 16000

14000

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10000

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0 111111 Jan Feb Mar April May June I I July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

- 2019 2018 - 2017 - 2016 - #Rooms 2019 - #Rooms 2018 - #Rooms 2017 - #Rooms 2016

Meetings, Conventions, Events Economic Impact by Month (Reported) 400000

350000

300000

250000

200000

150000

100000

50000

0 • I I I I I. • I I II Jan Feb Mar April May June July Aug Sept Oct•• Nov•• Dec

• 2019 Events 2018 Events • 2017 Events • 2016 Events Actual Room 2019 Accumulative Hotel Occupancy Report Nights Historical Available Per Year Jan Feb Mar 1st Qtr Apr May Jun 2nd Qtr Jul Aug Sept 3rd Qtr Oct Nov Dec 4th Qtr Total Occ% Rooms

2002 3,918 3,729 4,208 11,855 3,302 5,246 7,508 16,056 8,300 7,980 7,329 23,609 5,155 4,454 3,782 13,391 64,911 47.87% 135,591 2003 3,786 4,425 5,261 13,472 5,081 6,427 8,071 19,579 9,022 9,180 7,234 25,436 5,345 4,027 3,672 13,044 71,531 59.47% 120,281 2004 3,863 3,900 5,048 12,811 5,813 6,356 8,488 20,657 8,716 8,839 7,004 24,559 5,028 3,452 3,330 11,810 69,837 57.76% 120,907 2005 3,013 3,822 4,208 11,043 6,232 6,680 7,804 20,716 8,506 8,554 5,779 22,839 4,804 4,395 3,603 12,802 67,400 59.00% 114,229 2006 4,385 4,807 5,591 14,783 5,976 6,307 7,273 19,556 7,981 7,333 6,281 21,595 5,024 3,889 3,703 12,616 68,550 54.59% 125,583 2007 3,546 4,046 5,418 13,010 4,894 6,252 7,520 18,666 8,717 9,222 6,588 24,527 4,537 4,419 3,550 12,506 68,709 53.15% 129,264 2008 3,410 3,732 4,036 11,178 5,630 5,444 8,496 19,570 9,441 8,616 6,517 24,574 4,970 4,503 4,294 13,767 69,089 53.14% 130,010 2009 3,059 3,125 4,763 10,947 4,704 5,655 6,543 16,902 7,275 6,743 4,682 18,700 4,416 3,885 3,648 11,949 58,498 45.09% 129,726 2010 3,568 4,101 4,813 12,482 4,606 4,952 6,560 16,118 7,003 7,836 5,998 20,837 5,923 4,358 4,003 14,284 63,721 49.22% 129,459 2011 2,727 2,863 4,088 9,678 4,310 4,560 5,632 14,502 7,014 8,200 7,565 22,779 5,288 3,381 2,939 11,608 58,567 46.44% 126,108 2012 3,267 4,177 4,602 12,046 4,666 5,379 5,959 16,004 7,077 8,802 6,231 22,110 5,114 3,680 3,604 12,398 62,558 67.09% 93,246 2013 3,548 3,279 3,206 10,033 3,926 5,107 5,409 14,442 6,381 7,198 5,188 18,767 3,855 3,871 3,022 10,748 53,990 49.50% 109,060 2014 3,742 3,460 4,382 11,584 4,819 4,809 6,073 15,701 6,539 6,840 4,770 18,149 4,924 3,826 3,984 12,734 58,168 52.04% 111,769 2015 3,514 4,053 5,509 13,076 5,114 6,316 6,448 17,878 8,506 8,125 4,864 21,495 4,412 4,355 4,326 13,093 65,542 57.41% 114,165 2016 4,234 4,271 5,063 13,568 6,297 7,148 7,326 20,771 8,123 7,531 5,850 21,504 5,500 4,521 5,389 15,410 71,253 54.50% 130,743 2017 5,361 6,048 5,813 17,222 5,744 6,546 7,605 19,895 9,818 9,041 6,298 25,157 5,307 5,266 4,364 14,937 77,211 51.16% 150,925 2018 4,818 4,966 5,862 15,646 5,782 6,545 8,042 20,369 8,835 9,016 7,464 25,315 8,028 5,845 4,804 18,677 80,007 57.82% 138,384

., .. ~ . it.119·~ ...... ~· .. :0 :.-.. . ! ·-.• : ~ ;,•: ·~·f\~~·,j~""l.. :; .. : ,I, UDI. ·n.-·· r: " ...· ~J.t.!>•:,;:; -:: ·i.1"1:• . .;. 'I'; ... ' - • ' -·. ')·" 1':.t: ···\ o.-: ' ~ .. ' ·u,m.a Avail. Rm/Nt. 2019 , 11,001 9,655 10,181 , 31,443 I I 0 I I 0 I I 0 I 31,443

Vacant Rm/Nt. 2019 I 6,596 5,492 6,291 I 18,385 I 0 0 0 I 0 I 0 0 0 I 0 I 0 0 0 I 0 I 18,385

Participating Hotels (# of rooms) The Landing (107) Gilmore Hotel (34) The Ceda rs Lodge closed October and December 2003 & October and December 2004. Opted out of reporting in 2005. Rodeway Edgewater Inn (47) Gilmore Hotel Closed 10/ 01/ 11 to 04/01/12 and again 10/01/12 to 04/30/13. Inn at Creek Street (24) The Narrows opted out of reporting for 2013, 2014 and CLOSED 2015, Reopening as The Edgewater Inn to Report fouth quarter. Super 8 Motel (82) Cape Fox Lodge/Elevator down/3rd fl oor closed, 1st Qtr.of 2015 Cape Fox Lodge (72) Salmon Falls Resort/Seasonal June-September beginning 2017 Salmon Falls Lodge (52) Inn at Creek Street added 10 rooms as of mid-July, 2017 My Place Hotel (64) Cape Fox Lodge/ Half the prope rty out of service for complete remodel/4th Qtr. of 2017 Total Rooms= 482 Cape Fox Lodge/Additional remodel/3rd Qtr. Of 2018 Cape Fox Lodge/All outside buildings closed for remodel/4th Qtr. Of 2018 Writer Chris Batin spent several weeks in Ketchikan, in April and cover story September 2018

A

1 ~~ One of America's greatest seen ic byways takes visitors beyond the tourist hubs

BY CHRISTOPHER SATIN

here's a question that many travel According to Doyle, the secret to a good itinerary is advisors know a ll too well. to pre-plan the amount of time a client should spend "I've already been on an Alaska at each location. Also. it's wise to ask for assistance cruise - why should I go back>" from AMHS agents to help plan your client's itinerary: Sure. an agent can explain to a AMHS personnel can help identify multiple-day and client that there is, u ndoubtedly. single-day routes; where the ferry departs for a port; plenty to experience in a state that and when it retu rns to the same home port each day. stretches over 663,268 square miles. This is key to planning a comprehensive vacation that But the real way to answer the question is to share makes the most of what each port has to offer. The some of the stories of only-in-Alaska adventures. AMHS website offers a variety of out-of-the-way a Whether that's surviving a "thar she blows" experi­ adventures to help agents start the planning process. ence that includes wiping whale snot off your face; crossing a stream where hundreds of sal mon bounce Cordova off your legs like pinballs; or surfing the white-capped Decades ago. on my first trip to Cordova. I borrowed a barrel waves of Alaska's Lost Coast. there are some van from a local air taxi operator. When I was done, the bragging-rights experiences that can only be had when operator told me to just leave the keys in the ignition. visitors - and advisors - do a bit more legwork. "Don't worry about anyone stealing it,'' she said. The system of coastal that sail from town to "The road stretches dead ends in each direction. lf town, known as the Alaska Marine Highway System someone steals it. where are they going to go?" (AMHS). is the secret to d iscovering many of these This anecdote conveys the vastness of the road less travel gems. Plus, not only does the AMHS help clients areas surrounding Cordova - and the possibility for enjoy amazing adventures and once-in-a-lifetime adventure in the area. Statistics show that in 2014. experiences, agents who book this kind of a unique more than 24,000 Alaska ferry passengers and 10.000 Alaska trip can benefit from new sources of commis­ vehicles emba rked and/or disembarked in Cordova. sion on long-range ferry passenger fees and vehicle About 80 percent of passenger embarkations at cha rges. Even if clients travel the ferry system on foot. Cordova were by Alaska residents. agents can still earn commissions on accommodations, So, what do residents know about Cordova that rental vehicles, ATVs and more at many AMHS ports. visitors don't> To get started, here are some notes on a two-month­ For expedition vets who put for th the effort, long AMHS custom adventure I enjoyed last su mmer. Cordova offers the stuff of dreams. Last year, Rodney Moll. a member of The Explorers Club and a veteran A Scenic Byway traveler to Alaska. rented a van in Anchorage and The AMHS is a designated "All-American Road" and booked passage on the AMHS to Cordova. Once there, the only marine route recognized as a National Scenic he spent 10 weeks exploring the Cordova mariti me Byway. It stretches for 3.500 miles a long the southern wilderness. He flew up friends and family from Alaska coastline. starting in Bellingham, Wash.. and Southern California; hired charter boats for fishing ending at Dutch Harbor on the Aleutian Chain. and sightseeing; and reserved lodge accommodations Danielle Doyle, marketing manager for the AMHS, and services. He fell in love with the solitude and says that only a few coastal communities served by the myriad adventuring opportu nities available in route are connected to a land-based highway system. Cordova - opportunities that AMHS helped make "In addition to providing necessary economic support possible. he says. to roadless communities, AMHS ferries offer rare and "I fell in love with the people there," Mo ll said. "I unique travel opportunities for thousands of Alaska could put an expensive camera on the seat, leave visitors and residents each year," she said. the window open and walk away. and I'd bet that

TRAVELAGEWEST.COM • JANUARY 21. 2019 • 17 First row from le~ A helicopter tour out of Valdez is a popular way to view glacial moraines; ice surfing is one of the more unique activities in Yakutat Second row: 45 Southeast Tours offers a daylong ATV tour across the border into Canada that climbs to alpine exploration areas above 5.000 feet; fishing along the AMHS is some of the best in the world; a rentarcabin outside Yakutat Third row: Fly­ fishing a tributary of Lunch Creek; a guided tour of a remote glacier in the Chugach Mountains after flying there on a day tour: visitors can take a bush plane to the Tsiu River. a popular spot for photographing brown bears.

..... cover story -~111P­ °'")>( ·,.~ :( - °<, ···•··...... ,,_ ···--- .... ········__,....,.··· .-···-·················· r \ Less adventurous clients will enjoy Dierick"s \ Juneau Tsiu River Lodge. This comfortable. homey inn is 9-~.. ,} '>9.. reasonably priced and offers great food. superb . ;;.•·) ...... ) salmon fishi ng. beach exploration excursions. good bear viewing and plenty of opportunities for l.... . ~ aspiring photographers. angell Skagway The best base camp spot in Skagway is the ,.. . someone would roll up the window on the car. Westmark Inn. which offers comfortable rooms leaving everything in place. • with Gold Rush·era decor. For Moll. a highlight of his time in Cordova I am a lifelong fan of writer Jack London and was fishing on and off the road system. He says the great Klondike-Alaska Gold Rush of 1898- taking the ferry saved a lot of travel time for him 1899. which funneled more than 100,000 people around the region, especially when he visited through Skagway to the gold fields of the north. Ketchikan Visitor's Bureau. "We receive a lot Valdez, another port served by the AMHS. But I knew I didn't allocate enough time on my of compliments from visitors who really like trip to explore the area's famous Klondike Gold Ketchikan because of the walking. self-guided Yakutat Rush International Historic Pa rk. So, instead, I tour maps we hand out. The self-guided walking Of all the cities in . Yakutat is drove the Klondike Highway north. which para!· tour of town center is perhaps the most popular the left-behind child of Alaska tourism. This is leis the park's Chilkoot Trail. The beauty and thing visitors do here.' partly due to past decisions to refuse cruise-ship sheer ruggedness of this area is remarkable - it Mackey says a good way to start a visit is at development. and partly because it's fa r off the is. in my opinion. simply the most scenic stretch the new "Ketchikan ls ..." exhibit at Tongass path of most major cruise lines. of highway in North America. Historical Museum. Through informative and Ya kutat doesn't have the brewpubs, gift shops Luckily, I did have enough time in Skagway to entertaining vignettes. it examines the past a nd and tours that larger cities offer, yet here you'll enjoy an ATV adventure offered by Southeast present of Ketchikan, including the area's frontier find Alaska in its purest form. Tours. For several hours, we explored the alpine history and legendary brown bear lore. as well Rhonda Coston, Yakutat borough planner. wears glaciers. wildflower-filled meadows and cascading as provides a look into the lives and culture of many hats - one is tourism director, and the other creeks of the area·s high country. Ketchikan residents. is the "Alaska Angel" for travel agents. "The entire culture in Ketchikan revolves "Yakutat welcomes visitors in small groups," Ketchikan around rain. more so than any other destination she said. "That's mainly because we don't have In Ketchikan. I spent several nights at Clover Pass in Alaska." said Anita Maxwell. the Ketchikan the infrastructure for large cruise ships." Resort. where I mingled around a nightly camp­ museums director for Tongass Historical Museum. Yakutat tourism is quite possibly the next fire with other Alaska ferry passengers. I stayed "Visitors can learn about how we dress. how we big thing in Alaska adventure tourism. Outside in a guestroom. but some visitors chose to park work and even how we celebrate life in the rain. magazine even honored Yakutat as "one of the an RV or motorhome at the resort - some for a It sets the stage for their visit." five best surf towns in America· (an activity that week, others for the entire summer. After learning about the local history and is often promoted as "surfing with sea otters.") "RVers who spend time at Clover Pass can rent culture. clients might want to sample some of Yakutat is home to Hubbard Glacier. North our boats. hire our guides and partake in our the wilderness activities here. Sportfishing tours America's longest tidewater glacier. It's an ideal three-meals-a-day option." said Michael Briggs, abound in Ketchikan. but one of the best is spot to explore via hiking trail. tour boat or kayak, marketing manager for Clover Pass. "Or. they can Baranof Fishing Excursions. which is owned and as well as a great place for camping on the beach. use their own boats to explore the area's remote operated by Chuck and Greg Slagle. The daylong Even if clients don't fish. they should start a bays and inlets." Alaska Fishing a nd Wilderness Dining excursion visit to Yakutat at Situk River Fly Shop. Owner Hotels abound in Ketchikan. One good option combines a day of fish ing with an onshore lunch Bob Miller is an excellent resource for a ll things is My Place Hotel. which is strategically located in a massive, Hobbit-style cubby surrounded by Yakutat. He's also passionate about history - he's across the street from the ferry terminal. while old-growth rainforest. There, a chef prepares a transforming a World War II hangar into an other top spots include The Landing Hotel and seasoned fish bouillabaisse that will have clients Alaska Warbirds Museum - and he has an Bayside Hotel in downtown Ketchikan. Salmon begging for the recipe. archive of propaganda material from the war Falls Resort is one the most luxurious resorts in The AMHS allows visitors to explore Southeast years that you won't see anywhere else. the area: it features a picturesque water fall. a Alaska and celebrate the region·s spirit in a new On my visit to the area last summer. I spent the cordial staff and superbly crafted log buildings. and unique way. While I might not be able to join day with Mark Sappington of Yakutat Charter The picture windows in the property's huge the ranks of legendary world explorers. my trip Boat Company, and we caught eight halibut restaurant allow guests to view bears, eagles and along this one-of-a-kind American highway, weighing more than 100 pounds. The following foxes fishing for the creek's migrating salmon. gave me at least a fleeting feeling of being day, Coston accompanied us on a three-day When it comes to activities, Ketchikan is a "back of beyond." And, in this day and age. that fly-out excursion following Alaska's "Lost Coast" manageable destination for visitors. opportunity is priceless. • to a remote cabin near the Tsiu River. There. "Downtown Ketchikan is a walking-friendly we enjoyed some of the best si lver salmon town for both cruise ship and AMHS passengers." The Details: Alaska Marine Highway System (www. fly-fishing of my life. said Patti Mackey. executive director of the ferryalaska.com)

TRAVELAGEWEST.COM • JANUARY 21. 2019 • 19 Writer Bobbie Hasselbring visited twice last summer TRAVEL

magine taking a nearly I 3,000-mile RV trip yet driving ' only 800 miles. Picture a journey that allows yo u to see regions otherwise inaccessible to RVs. • Now envision a tour filled with breathtaking scenery, historic FERRY TO THE towns and captivating wildlife, including seeing whales and eagles up close. Welcome to RVing via the Alaska Marine Highway System IAMHSl. aka LAST the Alaska ferry. Last summer photographer Anne Weaver and I traveled through the Pacific Northwesfs FRONTIER gorgeous Inside Passage on the Alaska fe rry with a Pleasure­ Bring your RV along for the ride on a cruise up the Way Class B motorhome. It was Pacific Northwest's spectacular Inside Passage convenient, wildly fun and oh­ so relaxing. We made plans to stop for - by Bobbie Hasselbring a few days in Ketchikan and Juneau, two towns inaccessible by road, as well as Skagway,

12 TRAILER LIFE I FEBRUARY 2019 a favorite Launch point for RVers not backing up. You're following to Denali National Pa r k and my directions." The driver easily the interior. And while some parks, and soon our rig and passengers bring sleeping bags dozens of others are stowed. and camp on the ferr ies' tent Passengers are prohibited decks or snooze in ch airs, we from sleeping in their vehicles, reserved a snug cabin with so we've booked a four-berth a private bath. cabin. Besides bunks, the cabin offers a sink, shower, toilet, BOARDING IN BELLINGHAM closet area and Large window. Bellingham, , is the We stash our gear and head up Alaska ferry's southern terminus. to an observation deck. As the We park in the Loading Line and ferry smoothly pulls away from walk to the cute-as-a -button the dock at 6 p.m., a harbor seal Fairhaven district, filled with bobs in the water, and a great historic brick bu ildings, cafes blue heron floats by. and boutiques. The trip to Ketchikan is 38 Soon , we're boarding the hours, the Lo ngest Leg. Since 418-foot-Lon g MV Columbia , the we sail all night, it feels brief. system's Largest vessel. Ferry In the dining room, a spacious staffers are experts at Loading area with wraparound water RVs and other Large vehicles. views, we enjoy perfectly cooked We ove rhear one driver say, Alaskan salmon dinners for $15 "I don't think I can back it up ... each. Then we stroll the decks, The crewman replies, 'You're enjoying the Long su mmer Light. After taking in a free Spider-Man movie, I slip into my berth, and LANDING IN KETCHIKAN ABOVE, TOP TO the ferry's gentle rockin g sends Reach ing Ketchikan at 7 BOTTOM: On the me into a deep sleep. a. m., we disembark with the northbound route from Bellingham, We wake to a sunny, cool day, Pleasure-Way and head to Washington, ferry­ perfect for sippi ng coffee in deck the Landing Restaurant and goers sit back in chairs. If you haven·t experienced Hotel for delectable crab deck chairs and the Inside Passage, it's hard to omelets. Our friend and drink in the scenery. imagine its incomparable bea uty Ketchikan resident, Patti, In Ketchikan, a pic­ - soaring mountains covered suggests we start downtown turesque boardwalk on wooden pilings with deep green forests, nearly at the Southeast Alaska leads to shops, ve rtical cliffs slashed with lacy Discovery Center, a Forest restaurants and waterfalls born in high-altitude Service exhibit exploring the other attractions snowfields, and green and blue area's rainforest and other on Creek Street. waterways, alternately serene ecosystems. We check out and roiling. There's almost no historic ph otos and watch the video Discovering the development here, save for the Tongass about one of the last intact rainforests. occasional village or small town. Three cruise ships are tied at the docks, so It's a vast wilderness that makes streets are bustling with tourists and tour buses. me breathe deeply. Ketchikan has always been a boomtown. Once it was

FEBRU ARY 20 19 I TRA I LER LIFE 13 TRAVEL FERRY TO THE LAST FRONTIER

timber and fish; now it's adventuresome travelers. a 1,000-foot waterfall We grab a walking-tour map at the visitor center and that thunders into a saunter along Ketchikan Creek's wooden sidewalks to misty pool. shops and historic buildings, including Dolly's House, Finally, we fly over a 1919 bordello offering tours. Then we pop into Tongass Behm Canal, the Longest Historical Museum and enjoy old-time photos and artifacts, waterway in the Misties, including classic diving gear, fishing equipment and a 1904 and deplane onto a Fresnel Li ghthouse Lens. floating dock in Rudyerd After lunch, we head to Carlin Air for a tour of Misty Bay. We stand in this Fjords National Monument. a vast wilderness of spectac­ natural temple with ular fjords, inlets and waterways. Our little plane feels the rush of a creek Lilliputian in this Land of giants. We fly over endless green the only sound. forests and mossy swamps [muskegs). Lakes and rivers. Ketchikan is famous for totem poles, and we visit Totem We buzz Deep Canal and massive rock walls that plunge Heritage Center, which houses the Largest unrestored into secret valleys. Captain Jim banks the plane around totem-pole collection in the United States. Native peoples

IF YOU HAVEN'T EXPERIENCED THE INSIDE PASSAGE, IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE ITS INCOMPARABLE BEAUTY- SOARING MOUNTAINS COVERED WITH DEEP GREEN FORESTS, NEARLY VERTICAL CLIFFS SLASHED WITH LACY WATERFALLS, AND GREEN AND BLUE WATERWAYS, ALTERNATELY SERENE AND ROILING. -

14 TRAILER LIFE I FEBRUARY 2019 TRAVEL FERRY TO THE lAST FRONTIER in the Northwest carved poles aluminum boat with a fast to honor the dead and record engine. Michael doesn"t gu ide events and traditions. The center bu t regularly fishes these wa ters. houses 33 poles, house posts and While Ketchikan is known as the pole fragments carved in nearby Salmon Capital of the World, this Ferry Route Tlingit and Haida villages during year"s run is spotty, and we catch the mid- to late-19th ce ntury. only rockfish. The next day, Anne Wan ting more, we head to and I rent an open 14-foot skiff, Saxman Village Totem Park"s and using Michael"s rigging tricks, 25 replica poles. There·s also land a nice-size pink salmon. a brightly decorated long house In the morning we drive to where you can experience native Salmon Falls Resort, a fishing drumming and dancing. In the resort featuring an upscale 'Bellingham carving shed. we watch a master dining room. While Salmon Fa lls carver wo rk. doesn"t offer RV camping, we We drive north to Clover Pass want to experience a fu lly guided Resort, a fishing resort with RV all-day fishing trip. Anne lands ALASKA FERRY TALE . spaces, motel rooms, a dining a silver salmon, but I am not so Alaska encompasses 650,000 square miles, and room and marina. After pulling lucky. Before returning to Clover much of it is without roads. The Alaska ferry is a big into our waterfront site, we watch Pass, I drown my fishing woes part of the state's "highway system" and is designed eagles dive from treetop perches, in the dining room with delicious for transportation; sightseeing is a bonus. Its route as camp chef Sandy fills our crab legs and king sa lmon. has been designated a National Scenic Byway and an All-American Road, and it is the only marine bellies with hearty spaghetti and The next morning. while corridor with this distinction. Parmesan ch icken . Then we fall packing for the ferry, we hear The ferry lets RVers get off t he beaten path into bed, lulled by the sound of ··whoosh!"" Five humpback and explore lesser-known communities like Native water lapping against the docks. whales steam by the docks, Alaskan villages that are impossible or too time­ We"re up early to fish with undulating in and out of the consuming to reach on the road. Passengers can Clover Pass Resorf s Michael water, ta ils and flukes high. view gorgeous scenery and watch for whales without the crowds or fussiness of a floating cruise resort. Briggs aboard a 20-foot covered a fitting Ketchikan farewell. AMHS ferries are basic, clean and comfortable. In addition to cabins, many offer a movie theater, arcade, reading room, kids' playroom, public showers On the Glacier Discovery Tour, a 20-minute helicopter flight transports tour-takers from Skagway to the remote "ice river" known as Meade Glacier. and restrooms, plus indoor and outdoor observation decks. The vessels also serve hot and cold food, and the flagshi p MV Columbia has a restaurant dining room. Guests also have access to hot water, a toaster, a microwave, ice an d vend ing machines. While the ferry is under way, passengers aren't allowed on the vehicle deck except during scheduled times. Pets must remain in the owner's vehicle and can be visited every eight hours. Be aware that the vehicle deck can be noisy, and for anxious pets the experience may be frightening.

ALASKA MARINE HIGHWAY SYSTEM www.ferryalaska.com TRAVEL FERRY TO THE LAST FRONTIER

Shaped by glaciers over the millennia, the Inside Passage to Alaska is a 1,000·mile-long natural wonder. With plenty of time to enjoy the view, ferry passengers can appreciate the ever-changing panorama.

JOURNEY TO JUNEAU After busy days in Ketchikan. we board the afternoon ferry to Junea u, and l"m Looking forward to the Leisurely overnight trip. Arriving to fair skies the next morning, we park in a public Lot and head up the Mount Roberts Tramway for spectacular views of downtown, Gastineau Channel and snowcapped mountains. We hike shady trails, explore the gift shop and talk with native Tlinglit artists. CLEARSOUR E To Learn more about those humpbacks we spotted in Ketchikan, EXTERNAL RV WATER F1ILTERS we board the Gastinea u Whale Watch boat. Our guide says Alaska's 100,000 S!Jmleu glaciers provide minerals to feed phyto­ stul-- plankton, which feed the fish that bring 1:u:nis lleavy cluty c:cm;i~n enl$ the whales. Humpbacks can be as 0 S mluon Long as a school bus and weigh carbcn b otk filler 80,000 pounds. Our first humpback BETTER is a small female who repeatedly rolls and Lunge feeds at the surface, giving BUILT. us good views. "Black -and-whites!" the captain shouts. He's spotted areas - a Large male, a half-dozen females and a baby. Orcas actually belong to the dolphin family, but they get the "killer whale" •• name from thei r tag -team hunting BETTER techniques. We watch this pod cavort, WATER. th eir tall dorsal fins and white side spots visible. Later, we drive to Sp ruce Meadow RV Park, pull into a shady, gravel­ topped site and tuck in early. BEmR The weather is cool and drizzly the next morning when we meet Terri, ~ WATER FLOW. '-'"' our Juneau Food Tours guide, fo r a "' -~" taste of Alaska . First stop is Tracy's (/)"' King Crab Shack, a Juneau institution, :;; "O BETTER ~very nioo setup. Vias looking for something like fo r crisp mini-crab cakes and creamy "' a:"' this. Much much much befier Yr<1 ter llow• .." c: crab bisque. Then on to Deckhand c ... REVIEWS. • 1211 0/17 Amazoo Customl!r Revi

18 TRAILER LIFE I FEBRUARY 2019 a local-beer flight at the historic us this garden fed Klondike Gold Rush travelers. WHERE TO CAMP Alaskan Hotel. In 1997 Cha rlotte Jewell reclaimed the space for JUNEAU We walk off some calories by an organic show garden. Spruce Meadow RV Park cruising the docks. Like Ketchikan, After tou ring the garden's flowers, herbs www.juneaurv.com Ju neau has plenty of souvenir shops. and vegetables, we head to the glass-blowing My favorite la ndmark is the whale studio . We don white coats and safety glasses, l

SKAGWAY BOUND We're on the early ferry to Skagway, famo us as the gateway to the Klondike goldfields. It's a two-and-a-half- hour cruise, an d the ferry drops us downtown. We park the Pleasure-Way on a level, gravel-topped site at Pullen Creek RV Park. The campground, one of the nicest on this trip, sits across from a leafy city park, and offers water and electric hookups but no Wi-Fi. With false-fronted buildings and wooden sidewalks, Skagway resembles a Western-movie set. We poke into shops and check out the City of Skagway Museum's old photos and exhibits on rail history and period fashions. We lunch at Jewell Gardens an d Glass, a historic show garden, and join Head Gardener Randy and Assistant Director Josie for lu nch at Poppies Restaurant. As I tuck into delectable halibut cakes and Anne enjoys duck confit salad, Ra ndy tells

FEBRUARY 2019 I TRAILER LIFE 19 TRAVEL FERRY TO TH ELAST FRONTIER

chamber for 12 hours and promises to mail them to us. We're intrigued by Skagway"s colorful history, so we stop at the Gold Rush Cemetery, a well-kept burial ground used from 1898 to 1908 for Skagway resid ents, including infamous con man Soapy Smith. In the evening, we take in Days of "98, a rollicking musical about the city"s past. The next morning, our last before heading back on the ferry, we board vintage passenger coaches on the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway. QUICK This narrow-gauge line, built in 1898, beca me the primary route to the DROP. Klondike goldfields. We've chosen the t hree-and-a-half-hour excursion that retraces the original route to White ON UE Pa ss Summit. The train chugs past silty Skagway JACK River, through valleys dotted with orange columbine, purple lupine and yellow yarrow, and under glaciers QUICK FACTS and cloud-topped mountains. As we pass Bridal Veil Falls, Inspiration Point • Raise or lower jack using and Dead Horse Gulch, eager pho­ a power drill and tographers gather outside on cove red 3/4" socket head* platforms. The train goes by the original Klondike Trail of "98, worn into the • No hand cranking required rocks, and we spot rusted metal cans • 2,000-pound lifting capacity and an old shovel head, as we imagine the th ou san ds of miners that trudged • 14" stroke up this trail. • Fits most cargo, utility and After lunch back in Skagway, we travel trailers head to Temsco Helicopters for our final adve nture, the Glacier Discovery • Powder coating protects Tour. We don glacier boots and climb against the elements aboard the 'copter for a 20-minute flight • Removable foot pad with to Meade Glacier, one of the largest, where the pilot smoothly sets down. locking pin included Wit h hiking poles in hand, we follow • Patent pending glacier guide David ove r the rippled surface. He says the 500-year-old ice came from the Juneau lcefield 50 miles away. The cracks and crevasses we hop ove r wink like blue diamonds. David invites us to drink from a

•power drill and %" socket head not included. Do not use an impact drill for operation rushing glacier stream. Th e water is icy and delicious, the perfect toast to our ~ u Alaska ferry adventure. m .,;

c: c: ~ Worth Noting: There is no Wi-Fi on 8 AMHS ferries. To pass the time, people read, ~ talk, play games, watch movies, write in :3" journals and enjoy the scenery.

20 TRAILER LI FE .I FEBRUARY 2 0 1 9 ..Ad appearing in First City Players piogtam --~----­ for the season GATHER. CELEBRATE. CONTRIBUTE. For your next event, meeting, or celebration, bring your meeting home to Ketchikan and boost the local economy. The Ketc hil

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business cords newsletters letterhe ad business forms envelopes programs rock cords Pi$-neer • mo nus brochures fliers invitations Printing & more! dbo Ketc hikan Doily N ews 501 Dock St., Ketc hikan, Alaska 99901 • 9 07-225-3157 • k dn@kp unel.net Ad in AAA club's Jou COEUR D'ALENE AAA CRUISE SHOW Join us for an afternoon event featuring some of the world's best cruise providers: Holland America Line. 8 Princess Cruises , American Queen• Steamboat Co. and Viking Cruises. Meet knowledgeable cruise experts. attend insightful presentations and take advantage of savings. Plus, enjoy a sp ecial AAA PackSmart presentation.

COEUR D'ALENE Fri.,Feb. 1 10 a.m.: AAA PackSmart show 12-5 p.m.: Cruise presentations RSVP: (208) 666-5715 HAPPY SAILS WITH HOLLAND AMERICA LINE AND SEABOURN THE Elegant small- and mid-sized ships, exquisite WONDERFUL cuisine and inspiring shore excursions are among WORLD OF the benefits of traveling with Holland America Line and Seabourn. Attend one of these fun and VIKING CRUISES informative presentations to learn more about Join us to d iscover the what makes these lines stand out from the rest. wonderful world of Viking Cruises. Whether OLYMPIA TRI-CITIES you want to sail the (Seabourn) (Holland) rivers of Europe, Russia Wed ., Jan 16 at 10:30 a.m Wed., Jan 30 at 5:30 p.m. or Asia or experience RSVP: (360) 704-6185 RSVP: (509) 737-6817 an ocean cruise, Viking checks all the boxes for VANCOUVER WENATCHEE a fulfilling time, with (Seaboum and Holland) (Seabourn and Holland) Tues., Jan 22 at 6 p.m. Wed., Feb 13 at 5:30 p.m. inspiring dest inations, (360) 992-1165 (509) 665-6299 beautifully crafted itineraries, luxurious ALDERWOOD MOUNT VERNON ships, fine cuisine, (Seabourn and Holland) (Seabourn and Holland) excellent service. expert Fri.• Jan. 25 at 2 p.m. Wed., Feb. 20 at 6 p.m. tour guides, remarkable (425) 744-7302 RSVP: (360) 848-2090 value and personal attention to every detail. YAKIMA BELLINGHAM (Seabourn and Holland) (Seabourn and Holland) VANCOUVER Tues., Jan 29 at 5:30 p.m. Thurs., Feb. 21 at 6 p.m. Thurs., Feb. 21 at 6 p.m. (509) 573-3677 RSVP: (360) 752-6575 RSVP: (360) 992-1165

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FIRE & ICE PRESENTATIONS WITH NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE BELLINGHAM Come learn about round-trip Alaska sailings from Tues., J~n. 15 at 6 p.m. on the new Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Joy, RSVP: (360) 752-6575 and d iscover opportunities to exp lore the Hawaiian Islands from the comfort of Norwegian Cruise Line's MOUNT VERNON Wed., Jan. 16 at 6 p.m. Pride of America. RSVP: (360) 848-2090 wa.aaa.com/st<>res/store-events. wa.aaa.com/journey 49 TRAVEL & LIFE

COEUR D'ALENE, IDAHO You will first notice something different about Coeur d'Alene when you realize you can't pass a utility box that isn't a work of art. The Utility Boxes Beautification Project is just one of many funded by the Coeur d'Alene Arts Commission. This Idaho Panhandle town values its creatives-with a mandate for a portion of all new construction costs to go to a public art fund for the last 20 years, the city has over 100 pieces of art in its collection. Pick up a self-guided walking/biking brochure, which will lead you all over town from parks to public buildings. CDA chainsaw artists have even turned City Park's tree stumps into art. Many of the works dotting the lakeside or popping out of alleys take inspiration from nature writ large­ like the building-size allium flowers blowing in the breeze and giant highway-side osprey feathers. Several art galleries mingle with antique shops and cafes downtown. From fine to funky The Art Spirit Gallery features an eclectic mix of regional artists, and the cutting-edge Emerge Gallery showcases and supports emerging local artists. Visit Studio 107 for a taste of wine with your art, then head to one of the downtown watering holes for a night of music ranging from jazz to opera. Go to coeurdalene.org to plan your trip. KETCHIKAN, ALASKA This Southeast Alaska city is more than just a pit stop on an Alaska cruise. Visitors will notice its creative side right away in dockside collaborative sea life sculptures and mosaic sea creatures capping the piles along Thomas Basin. Artists who flock to the town for its majestic beauty,

80 March I April 2019 nwtravelmag.com Unexpected Art Sce nes FEATURE

Octopus Pile Cap with Deer Mounta in in often finding summer work in the tourism industry, soon the background. Mosiac Octopus "pyle" realize the peace of the Alaskan winter is the perfect time cap was created by local artist Terry Pyles. Ketchikan to create. Rather tha~ hibernate, Ketchikan bustles with creativity during its long rainy winter. Its community of artists buoy each other with events like the Monthly Grind-a homespun variety show with free entry for anyone who brings a dessert to share. Springtime is for showing off the fruits of all that winter creativity. See what these artists have been up to by ambling along the many galleries of downtown's Mission Street, including Ketchikan mainstay Scanlon Gallery and Starboards Frames and Gifts, where artists produce in a variety of media, including kelp. The town of 8,ooo, home to the world's largest collection of totem poles, keeps traditional tribal arts alive. The poles stand tall throughout the community and are best viewed on the rainforest paths of Totem Bight State Park and Saxman Native Village, where visitors can watch preeminent Tlingit totem carver Nathan Jackson and others at work on poles commissioned from around the world. The Totem Heritage Center houses ancient totem poles rescued from abandoned village sites, some dating back 200 years. Learn more about Ketchikan at visit-ketchikan.com. f' Ad in AAA club's Via Magazine for OR members March/April 2019

ON THE ROAD

f '

5 THINGS WE LOVE Portland's Sellwood

~ Once an independent town. the riverside Though Sellwood became part of Railroad car. b;1s often cameoed on neighoorhood retains Portland in 1893, the area, now the offbeat comech. Perust rhe tea known as Sellwood l\loreland, snll \\all, where cuhh1es hold more than its quirky free spirit. has a charm of 1rs own. It's home to 120 vanctab, from the spiced Rt· <;wt>ll .t teahouse in a <.:aboose, a puppet blrnd to the honevsuckle scented museum, and other quaint delights. coconut oolong. rhcn rnrl up" ith your cup on .1 rrnshcd \'l'lvt:t rourh m 1 Green-,~inged real. great blue her­ th<' tea hall, or 'It our,1dt• on thl' p.mo. om, and all son' of other bird' Aock to Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge, 4 Don't hl' fooled h~ tht· ordm;1ry a beloved local park. \\7andcr rhe farad<' The Portland Puppet wooded trails, and you m1ghr sec Museum 1s anvrhing bur common purpk loose~mfe blooming in the place In"de <;1t lOO puppt>t' and wetlands and hawkc; nesting m the marionette<;, mam of them l rafted rrces. I like an ea'>y 2.- rrule loop by by mu,eum co 0\\ ner "t{ \'CO i\I rakmgBluffTrail around rhe pond. Owrton Overton founded the Olde then rerurnmg along rhe Willamette \X/orlcl Puppet Thtatrl' in 1 <>..,6 and River on Springwater Corridor Trail. ha~ smce made puppet<; for parade~. theme park\, and even rhe live pro 2 lreasure hunrl ro; looking to get lost due tlon of n"nn\ l11111chb11ck of in Southeast Portland\ vintage scene Notre D11111t? Famou<; TV pupp e t~ live might want to start their quest at here, roo: Look for Iamb Chop. a gift Stars Antiques Malls. Founded by from venrriloqtmt \han T.ew1<; four friends, the two shops house a maze of more than 100 sellers who 5 The Moreland Theater opened m deal in wire birdcage,, old croquet 19?6 to sho" silent film, wd except sets, nntage mone pmter\. and all for upgrade' to accommodate wralk sorts of"e\traordinan 1unl... .~ 1es~-thc place remain~ unchanged Parron~ ~rill ('OJO} th(' on~nal hand 3 Think rhe Sellwood branch of painted ceilings. arabe~qm· arch entry Tea Chai Te loob srra1ght our of \'<1y•., .md red cu,hmnrci 'cars. \ml Port/.md111~ You're right. The cozy with a S6 matinet. the· pnn 1~ a teahouse, tucked m a "c:mle Pacific throwback, too. ..,.AR 11 f H >1Ds Ad in AAA club's Journey Magazine for WA members March/ April 2019

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MARCH THE FEE FOR THE 16 ISSAQUAH Timber Ridge at Talus CLASS IS $20 FOR 21 BELLINGHAM Ghrist the King Church MEMBERS, $25 FOR NONMEMBERS. 23 EVERETT SonsofNorway To register for a class, send a 27 OLYMPIA GriffinFireDept.13-1 check or money order (made 30 SILVERDALE Crista Shores Senior Living out to American Driving Services) with desired date APRlL noted to American Driving 2 CHEHALIS Woodland Village Services, P.O. Box 66681, Seattle. WA 98166-0681. 6 TACOMA BrookdaleAllenm.ore Include date of birth and Independent Liuing AAA number, 1f a current 10 KIRKLAND Madison Bouse member. A confirmation SPOKANE DRIVING CLASS letter with the details will 13 DES MOINES Judson Park be sent or emailed before 911 Driving School of Spokane Retirement Community the class date If you offers the AAA driver-improvement 27 LYNNWOOD AlderwoodAAA have questions about the course at its facility at 6314 N. Ash St. Cruise & Travel store program. please call Mary The fee is $20 for members, or Danny Lilleness at $25 for nonmembers. Register by MAY (800) 462-3728. Class hours phone or email: (509) 324-0911, 8 REDMOND Redmond Seniur Genter are 8;30 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information or to learn [email protected]. 18 FEDERAL WAY Brookdale about online classes, visit Next class date: Foundation House wa.aaa.com/traffic-safety. M ar. 23, Ba.m.- 4p.m.

wa.aaa.com/journey -1'7 ,: · oo - /) /' Author Allen Cox visited Ketchikan in June 2018

CULINARY CRUISE

BY ALLEN COX

he buzz among passengers onboard the Star Legend is palpable as I and my fe llow passengers wait for the 5:00 p.m. departure Tto arrive. My traveling companion Robert and I are among the capacity-and rather eclectic- collection of 212 passengers, a miniscule number compared to the crowds that swarm the mega-cruise liners. We have boarded, checked in, been ushered to our suites and are now mingling at the top deck's Star Bar, glass of wine in hand. The elegant sail-like roofl.ine ofVancouver's Canada Place decorates the cityscape that rises above the ship. Sunlight breaks through piles of cumulus clouds and glistens on the harbor, making me wonder what the skies will bring over the next 12 days. It's early June. Summer has not officially anived, and Southeast Alaska is known for rain. Although rain is likely, the itinerary is promising: seven ports, two days at sea (including 's Inside Passage) and three full days of adventure in the pristine Alaskan wilderness. Star Legend crew includes a team of naturalists and experienced outdoor guides, putting the emphasis on adventure for those of us wanting to gear up and get outdoors. I'm determined to do exactly that-rain or shine. The evening departure across Georgia Strait brings a hush over the passengers. Cameras and mobile phones click away as Vancouver's high-rises, awash in a pink sunset glow, slowly vanish. It's astounding how quickly civilization retreats after traveling only a few miles in British Colwnbia. Deeply fo rested peninsulas and islands play hide-and-seek as we pass the coves and inlets of the Inside Passage. Glimmering snowcapped peaks of the Coast Range break through charcoal clouds. It's hard to pull ourselves away for dinner in the ship's stylish AmphorA Restaurant. A meal aboard the Star Legend is not to be missed. Windstar Cruises has a partnership with the James Beard Foundation, an organization that recognizes the best culinary talent in the country. Think of it as the Oscars of the food world. Selected James Beard­ awarded chefs make guest appearances on some ofWindstar's cruises, elevating the culinary experience. Recipes from those star chefs remain behind for the fleet's culinary teams to recreate to the delight of diners every evening.

nwtravelmag.com I 52 Getaways 2019 I 21 Besides AmphorA Restaurant, the 440-foot ship of the Compass Rose beckons. Live music, dancing and only six passenger decks sports a second restaurant, drinks are on hand every night for those who aren't a gym, spa, an outdoor bar and two indoor lounges, concerned about rising early. It's easy to meet other a roomy view lounge called the Yacht Club, a library, pa'ssengers on the Star Legend, and my typically screening room, two hot tubs and a small pool hedonistic friend Robert follows the beat to the (which no one seems to Compass Rose with some new Australian friends. Me? be interested in, given the I'm more interested in catching the last bit of twilight late spring temperatures). that's quickly retreating from the dark hills and inlets Rafts of otters. calving Despite the Star Legend's we pass and in consulting my GPS to figure out where glaciers. countless bald eagles intimate layout, the we are and how far we must sail to reach our first and harbor seals nurturing passenger cabins are port, Ketchikan. spacious. We have been Have you ever had a vacation you never want to their pups on icebergs fill the assigned a spacious Ocean end? Well, this is mine. And I am not the only one. days in which Nature presides View Suite, the most It seems Windstar Cruises earns a cult following-I larger than life. modest cabin style on meet a couple on board who tell me they are on their board, and besides a roomy twentieth Windstar cruise, this being their first to sleeping area, it comes Alaska. with a separate lounge with Much can happen in 12 short days. I meet Tlingit sofa and chairs, a walk-in closet and a full bath with elders and listen to stories about their history and tub and shower. Nothing feels cramped, and there's culture (a tribal elder even comes on board in plenty of space to stash everything away. Ketchikan and gives us an engaging presentation After three courses paired with a sommelier's about Tlingit life). I view countless totems, some new wine suggestions, we are pleasantly full and settled in and some ancient. I spot wild bears foraging on shore, for the night (or so I imagine). But a lively beat from and I even visit a sanctuary for bears that can't be

22 I 52 Getaways 2019 I nwtravelmag.com ATASTE OF SE ALASKA Check out these cruise highlights to help you get the most out ofyour Alaskan experience on the Star Legend.

KETCHIKAN In this important hub of Tlingit culture, stroll downtown's historic Creek Street, browse downtown art galleries highlighting Alaskan artists and tour the amazing Totem Heritage Center for a view of ancient totems and contemporary Alaska Native art. visit-ketchikan.com

MISTY FJORDS NATIONAL MONUMENT Sign up on the Star Legend for a guided kayaking tour.

WRANGELL Walk to Petroglyph Beach State Historic Site to view mysterious ancient stone carvings and visit the Wrangell Museum's impressive collection of Alaska Native art and artifacts. wrangellalaska.org

SITKA In this historic Russian capital, visit St. Michael's Russian Orthodox Cathedral, take a guided tour of the Russian Bishop's House at the Sitka National Historical Park, and sign up (on the Star Legend) for a wildlife cruise for a chance to spot a variety of marine mammals. visitsitka.org

ICY STRAIT POINT Zipline down a mountain (sign up on the ship) and then take the shuttle into the village of Hoonah and stop by the returned to the wild. I witness the rare phenomenon of a dozen carving studio outside the Hoonah Indian Association. humpback whales bubble feeding, a remarkably organized JUNEAU group behavior. Rafts of otters, calving glaciers, countless bald Here, you'll have a busy day in Alaska's capital. Catch a eagles and harbor seals nurturing their pups on icebergs fill the cab, take a bus or rent a car and visit Glacier Gardens days in which Nature presides larger than life. The Star Legend Rainforest Adventures (this is a little-known gem) on the is capable of navigating deep into Alaskan fjords, allowing us way to Mendenhall Glacier. While you're out there, visit close access to these wild places without having to be shuttled Mendenhall Glacier, too. On the way back, stop in for a tasting flight at Alaskan Brewing Company's tasting in by float plane or tour boat. room; back downtown enjoy king crab at Tracy's Crab Back on board, after each day's excursions, we relax, Shack and ride the Mt. Roberts Tram. traveljuneau.com indulge in amazing food, meet new friends, laugh and learn­ all while watching the boundless Alaskan wilderness pass by. HAINES A few full days at sea-one navigating the coast of British Here, you're deep in the rugged Alaskan wilderness. In summer months, brown bears gorge on salmon in Columbia and one crossing the vast Gulf of Alaska-afford the Chilkoot River. Ifyou do nothing else, rent a car in respites when naps, board games and spa treatments seem to Haines and head to the Jilkaat Kwaan Cultural Heritage be the most popular activities. & Bald Eagle Preserve Visitor Center, 22 miles from town, Twelve days later, we approach Seward, where we and take the guided tour to view some significant and disembark and catch a motor coach transfer to Anchorage, priceless Chilkat artifacts (it's worth the effort). Back a drive that is no less scenic than every day aboard the Star in Haines, visit The Hammer Museum for a quirky and Legend had been. Create your own Alaska experience by historic survey of hammers throughout history. visithaines. booking a cruise with Windstar Cruises (windstarcruises.com). tf' com TRACY ARM/ENDICOTT ARM AND KENAI FJORDS NATIONAL PARK Sign up on the Star Legend for guided Zodiac tours in these pristine and majestic ecosystems.

nwtravelmag.com I 5 2 Getaways 2019 I 23 Subscribe Past Issues Translate ,..

View this email in your browser Quarterly News Brief for Travel Journalists

March 2019

Hello! Ketchikan Visitors Bureau's e-news bulletin shares what's new and noteworthy around the seaside town of Ketchikan, located at the southernmost entrance to Alaska's scenic Inside Passage.

Here's what you will find in this edition of Ketchikan Visitors Bureau's media e-news bulletin:

• Get active on and underwater. • Alaska's First City stays on trend for travelers in 2019. • Alaska Raptor Center ups its game in Ketchikan. • Explore deeper: only .in Ketchikan.

Media contact: Liz Baker, Thompson & Co. PR Phone: 907-561-4488 Email: [email protected] Subscribe Past Issues Translate...,,.

Stay active on land, on water and underwater in Ketchikan

Vacation used to be an excuse to put on a few extra pounds while overindulging in a destination's local fare and beverages. This is becoming a thing of the past, though, as more travelers lean toward more active travel and more offerings around wellness become available throughout the travel industry. In Ketchikan, visitors have a chance to soak in Alaska culture and scenery with a number of activities. Join Where the Eagle Walks for a walking tour around town with Tlingit guide and elder Joe Williams, Jr., the first Tlingit to be elected mayor of Ketchikan Borough. Head into the scenic temperate rainforest for guided nature tours by jeep, mountain bike, canoe or on foot with Alaska Travel Adventures.Join one of Alaska KaY.ak ComP-anY.'s small-group tours for a day on the water or pai r your boat and kayak trip with a hike on a five-hour adventure through Tongass National Forest. If being on the water isn't enough and it's underwater action someone is looking for, Ketchikan offers outstanding opportunities for snorkeling, not often an option in Alaska destinations. From May through September, Snorkel Alaska offers The Mountain Point Snorkeling Adventure that gives guests a truly unique experience. If a visitor prefers to stay on land but doesn't feel like walking, they have the opportunity to rent a bike from Wacker CitY. Bike Rentals and then enjoy Ketchikan's bike path, which runs along the Tongass Narrows all the way to Potlatch Totem Park, where visitors can check out a museum and carving shed.

Contact: Liz Ba ker, Thompson & Co. PR Phone: 907-310-6100 Subscribe Past Issues Translate ....

Facebook: facebook.com/travelketchikan Linkedln: http://bit.ly/KVBLinkedln

Ketchikan: On trend for travelers

There are a number of trends the travel industry is focusing on in 2019; and, whether looking for a mini vacation, an exciting getaway for the entire family or an 'instagrammable' trip, Ketchikan is the perfect fit. Alaska may 'not seem like the ideal destination for a quick trip or long weekend, but Ketchikan is the ideal destination to feel miles away from the day-to-day bustle without traveling too far. Only a 90-minute flight from Seattle, Ketchikan gives visitors more time to explore Alaska and less time stuck on a plane. Want a trip that is sure to lead to some of your most liked lnstagram posts? Alaska is full of visual wonders, and Ketchikan is home to many of them, including Misty Fjords, Tongass National Forest and wi ldlife. With totem poles and other Alaska Native art, Ketchikan is filled with beautiful, vibrant colors. Also a must are water activities, including snorkeling, fishing and scuba diving. Underwater photographs are sure to grab the attention of anyone's followers.

Contact: Liz Baker, Thompson & Co . PR Phone: 907-310-6100 Email: [email protected] URL: Visit-Ketchikan.com Face book: facebook.com/travel ketch i kan Linkedln: httQ://bit.ly/KVBLinkedln Translate• Subscribe Past Issues

Enhanced offerings from Alaska Raptor Center at Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary

Since 2004 the Sitka-based Alaska Raptor Center has partnered with Kawanti Adventures and The Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary, a 40-acre reserve, just 10 miles from downtown Ketchikan and the cruise-ship ports. New this summer, Kawanti Adventures is offering a raptor flight experience presented in their custom-built, 1,500 square foot flight auditorium. Alaska Raptor Center staff host this live demonstration and provides detailed inform9tion about the specialized physical and behavioral adaptations raptors share. In addition to the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary's trails, bear viewing boardwalks, historic sawmill, totem park and retail center, the new tour features a raptor courtyard. The courtyard boasts magnificent enclosures to provide up-close viewing opportunities of a variety of raptor species, including the majestic bald eagle. With no nets or screens between the birds and guests, there is a unique opportunity for professional and amateur photographers to get the best possible shots of these awe-inspiring creatures. A portion of the proceeds go to the Alaska Raptor Center, a 501 (()3 non-profit organization, for the rehabilitation of wild birds, education, and research.

Contact: Christa Hagan, VP Operations Kawanti Adventures/Taquan Air Phone: 907-228-4610 Email: [email protected] URL: www.Kawanti.com Facebook: www.Facebook.com/KawantiAdventures lnstagram: .@kawantiadv Subscribe Past Issues Translate-..

Only in Ketchikan: Discover what differentiates Alaska's First City from other cities in the Last Frontier

Filled with art, founded on history and surrounded by beauty, Ketchikan offers a one­ of-a-kind look into Alaska's unique culture. Called "Alaska's First City" because it sits at the southern end of Alaska's Inside Passage, Ketchikan lures travelers to its scenic shores for authentic Last Frontier experiences not accessible anywhere else .

• Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show: Axe throwing, log rolling and tree climbing competitions showcase timber sports and pay tribute to Ketchikan's logging history . • Totem Heritage Center: Experience Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian cultures with a visit to the world's oldest known totem poles as well as many other outstanding carvings in the Totem Heritage Center's collection. • Misty_fjords National Monument: Explore fjords and glacial valleys in the largest wilderness area located deep inside the Tongass National Forest, North America's largest temperate rainforest. • Neets Bay: Hatchery: Visit the salmon hatchery to see why Ketchikan is known as the "Salmon Capital of the World." • HumP- Island Oyster Company:: Visit this family-owned farm for a behind-the­ scenes look at the coldest and freshest oysters on the west coast. Alaska's unique environment provides the perfect place for these oysters to grow, and chefs around the country claim that they have the best flavor thanks to the mix of the local waters' brine and minerals.

Contact: Liz Baker, Thompson & Co. PR Phone: 907-310-6100 Email: [email protected] URL: Visit-Ketchikan.com Subscribe Past Issues Translate ....

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