Best birthday EVER!

Today is my birthday and this trip has definitely been the best present. Last night Robert and I went to an all-you-can-eat crab dinner and play. The Fish Pirates Daughter is a local play that has been done every summer for the past 43 years. Much fun! I remember seeing it when I was a teenager at the Frontier Saloon. (yes - that is the only time I've been in a saloon. Really.)

We went down to Creek Street to do some shopping and try to see the seals that hang out around the docks. Shea and I saw them the day before, but didn't have the camera. We even saw one catch a fish and another one swimming on it's back. It was a bit rainy, so I guess the seals were hiding in the pilings under the buildings.
For my birthday, I told the kids I wanted to go on a hike and guess what?? The sun came out!! So we took them over to Lunchcreek trail. Fun! (all except the part where braden slipped on the some wet wood and landed HARD on his bum)

I love my sister. I love my brother. Quit choking me. Quit poking me. This is the best trip EVER!

Isn't this picture beautiful??!!

Shea and I kept stopping to pick blueberries (to go with my angel food cake and whipped cream party we had today)

Ward Lake

Ward Lake is definitely one of my favorite places in the world!

(a close second is Lake Konigsee in Southern Germany)

Yesterday was Tammy's last day and it threatened rain all day...

Luckily for us, it didn't actually rain until evening.

Another AMAZING day!!

We rented a canoe from parks and recreation...

Robert went out first with Shea and her friend Morgan.

and since Braden earned his canoeing merit badge...

we just sent the kids out to mosey around the lake.

They had a blast!

Then it was log-rolling time!

(it was only about 60 degrees - but the kids didn't care!)

Ouch - that hurt!

LOVE the boots with the shorts.

what a fashion statement!

Tammy and I walked around the lake -

I saw this tree falling over and pushed it up a bit.

me strong.

Look how green!

The fire was wonderful!

(especially for the kids after being in the lake)

A little slice of heaven!

Totem Poles!

Ketchikan has the largest collection of Totem Poles in the world... so we took Tammy to the two best spots to see them. First we went to Totem Bight (at low tide, so we could do a bit of beach combing as well)

purple star fish... so cute!

Shea standing in the door way of the Clan house....
I have a picture of me when I was about six in this same spot!

Looking out from the clan house to some of the Totem Poles

Later in the evening, we went out to Saxman

a small indian village.

Braden LOVES to get his picture taken!

This is one of my favorite totem poles.

it eats hands :)

Another full day....

Tammy is only here until Friday.... so little time and so much to do! Here's a few snapshots of what we did yesterday.

Robert, Tammy and I went hiking on Selvage Trail.

We did a little bit of berry picking
(actually, it was berry eating since none of them ended up getting home with us)

A little bit of bear watching.

this photo is grainy since I had to crop way in.

Tammy wouldn't let me get closer.

Party-pooper.

Tammy and I pretended to be tourists.

(oh wait - we ARE tourists!)

This is a view of Creek Street

Shea asked Tammy her favorite part about Alaska and her response was "hot chocolate". Tammy and I and another friend came up to Ketchikan about 8 years ago and it RAINED the entire time, so we had lots of hot chocolate. This picture is Thomas Basin and it is right across from the New York Cafe that has the worlds best hot chocolate. Of course we indulged.

Tammy and I drove out to Herring Cove hoping to see bear at low tide.

No bears.

but LOTS of eagles.

After a fabulous dinner of salmon (from yesterday)

we decided to go trout fishing at ward creek.

Not-very-successful trout fishing.

I love this picture!

Our only fish of the evening.

small.

itty-bitty.

Robert put it back

swim free, little fishy. swim free.

Fishing!

We rented a boat yesterday and went out.... on ANOTHER beautiful day! My friend Tammy flew in Sunday evening, so the sunny weather is a great bonus. We out for about eight hours.... you wouldn't think it was tiring, but I slept like a log last night! (I usually only sleep about 6 hours - so 9 hours straight is just about a miracle.)

I was the driver and photographer... Robert and Tammy were the fishers

Shea and tammy sitting on the bow of the boat.

We didn't catch a fish our first 4 hours out... so we headed back to the resort for some advice (and a potty break). When we went back out, Tammy told Shea she would hug the fish if we caught one. I don't think that's much of a hug.... but it was slimey and bloody!!

We let the kids drive and put the boat full speed.

Fun!!

Bugge Beach with Dad

The mother-of-all jelly fish.

dead. thank goodness.

and yes... it does feel like jelly.

ick!

need a log to swim on?

just ask strong dad to get you one!

Robert diving off the wall at high tide.

remember... it's only about 65 degrees OUTSIDE the water.

freezing INSIDE the water.

he's the "fun" parent.

I'm just the photographer :) :)

Haida dancers at Totem Bight

On my mom's last night, we went out to Totem Bight (one of my favorite places to go beach combing as a kid). There is a large collection of totem poles and an indian clan house (I'll have more pictures of that when we go back to just look around). There was a show of Haida Dancers in the clan house and it was wonderful! Here are a few pictures from last night...

The Haida dancers did a number of songs that reflected their heritage. The Raven, Eagle and Killer whale clans were all represented. The drums are absolutely amazing. We looked at buying one at a shop downtown - only $300. I think we'll get a t-shirt instead :)

Robert and Shea looking at creatures on the beach after the show.

Shea walking on the beach in her new purple rubber boots. Thanks to Grandma Zee, Shea and Braden have "Ketchikan Sneakers" to go exploring without getting their feet wet. What a great grandma!

Here's a photo of me, Shea and my mom in front of one of the amazing totem poles.

This little girl was adorable during the songs.

I took a picture when the dancers were turned around so you can see their beautiful regalia. Very impressive!

Connell Lake Trail & lunch in a bears bed...

We went on a great hike yesterday to Connell Lake.... see the last pictures for where we ate lunch, so cool!

We ate our lunch in a bear (or a few bears) bedroom next to the lake.... see the prints here:

We were hoping to see a bear (not close, of course) but none came out while we were there. Bummer!