Hello from Alaska

[Dee63]

Just thought I would pop in and say a quick hello. I have heard a lot of people saying that Scotland looks a bit like Alaska, I've yet to find out for myself. I do intend to find out someday, maybe when the kids are grown and I have time again.

I've definitely enjoyed reading the forums and look forward to learning more!

Dee

[kathyv]

Hi there Dee and welcome, nice to have you on the site!

I guess it would depend on where in Scotland and where in Alaska you were. . . I've been to both and didn't see anything that struck me as one or the other at the time.

[Dee63]

I live in the SE islands of AK. Specifically Ketchikan. Lots and lots of rain here with storms through out the year. Moderate temps year round and tons of evergreen trees, mountains rising straight out of the Pacific and seasonal tourism May through October. Very isolated the rest of the year. Regular population about 14,000 with Prince of Wales Island included, and all of us make fun of the stupid Americans that come here. (And yes, I know we are supposed to be American too)

I had one tourist walk up to me and ask in a very dramatically loud voice, if I spoke English. To which I promptly replied, not well, but I speak American fluently. He looked perplexed and then asked what the exchange rate was. (Too good to pass up, this one was! ) I informed him it was two to one and asked him to give me two bills. He gave me two dollars and I gave him one back and then left.

Why didn't he give me a couple of twenties?!

Thanks for the welcome!

Dee

[kathyv]

Yea, I understand, we get the same tourists around here. . . How old are the deer when they become elk, what time does the wind stop blowing? That sort of thing.

I haven't been to Ketichikan, just Anchorage, Seward and the Kenai peninsula. That area reminded me more of North Eastern Oregon than any place else!

[deblang]

Wow!! Someone from Ketchikan!! I was born in Ketchikan, although I live in Nevada now. Don't remember too much though. We lived on Grant street across from a creek, and my Mother worked at the St. Francis Hotel. Is it still there? I DO remember icecycles as long as my arm and lots of totem poles (or maybe the totem poles were in Tokeen. We spent the Summer on Tokeen before moving from Alaska).
Would love to back someday and see it as an adult.
Welcome to the forum!!

deblang

[Dee63]

Originally Posted by deblang

Wow!! Someone from Ketchikan!! I was born in Ketchikan, although I live in Nevada now. Don't remember too much though. We lived on Grant street across from a creek, and my Mother worked at the St. Francis Hotel. Is it still there? I DO remember icecycles as long as my arm and lots of totem poles (or maybe the totem poles were in Tokeen. We spent the Summer on Tokeen before moving from Alaska).
Would love to back someday and see it as an adult.
Welcome to the forum!!

deblang

Hi Deblang, thank you for the welcome. Yes the Mary Francis is still there, but it is an apartment complex now with a few businesses peppered in it. There are a few totem poles through out the town, but most of them are still in Saxman. There are probably more totem poles in Tokeen and Hollis area as the there was not as easy an access to them so the museums didn't take as many of those as they did other areas. If you did come back, you would find that most of the area hasn't changed much except at the docks. The cruise ship industry has taken over and there are about 50-70 jewelry shops down there. We avoid downtown like the plague in the tourist season. Jostling with 20,000 people in a four or five square block area is just too much.

Dee

[deblang]

Thanks for filling me in. I WILL make it back someday!!
It sounds like downtown Ketchikan is like the Strip here in Vegas. Definately a place to be avoided at all costs!! And speaking of stupid tourists ( I work in the Gaming industry ), we hear "So, do you live here?" How can I give an equally *!!#&$##* answer to that without getting myself fired??

deblang