Ketchikan, Alaska 2013 - Day 1

Chad’s company, Vigor, asked him to go to Ketchikan for two months as acting superintendent, until a permanent replacement could be found.  Vigor flies him home every two weeks, but since I have never been to Alaska, we thought it would be fun if I flew up for a weekend.  So we bought a plane ticket, made the plans, and yesterday I was informed that Vigor will also fly me up - on their dime (or 4,790 dimes, to be more accurate.)  These are things that would be awesome to know ahead of time!

Security at SeaTac was the usual cacophony of bemused travelers who haven’t set foot in an airport since before 9/11.  Usually I look forward to this segment of our airport adventure, because Chad and I have learned how to communicate without speaking, and instead of getting frustrated with long lines and chaos, we can just silently make fun of people.  And like my Dad always taught me: If you can’t laugh at others, who CAN you laugh at?  I believe it’s in the Bible. 

Anyway, the airport proves to be an awfully dull place without Chad.  But you know what place is NOT dull?  The boarding area when it’s crowded with the likes of people who fly to Ketchikan.  Remind me to find out if there is a Meth-addict recovery facility up there...  or, perhaps a Dwight Schrute family reunion?  What I mean is, it was a colorful bunch, and I enjoyed watching them immensely.

It’s a short two-hour flight into Ketchikan, and as I got off the plane, Chad was waiting for me with a dozen roses. I felt like I had just flown to Alaska to see a boy that I met on the internet.  It was awesome, and I will spare you the details. 

Alaska Ship and Drydock from the ferry.

We took a ferry from the airport on Gravina Island, over to Ketchikan which is on Revillagigedo Island.  It’s a quick trip across the Tongass Narrows, and we had a great view of Alaska Ship and Drydock which is where Chad is working.

We drove to ASD and Chad gave me a tour of the shipyard.  It is enormous and it is beautiful.  Well, for a shipyard – if you’ve never been to a shipyard they can be pretty ghetto.  I met some of the employees, I watched Chad handle some work questions that arose (I’d just like to insert a gigantic, “hubba hubba” here, if you don’t mind) and I got to explore a new ship they are building.  It’s called the Prowler and it’s a 136’ longliner (a fishing vessel).

One of Chad's big projects.

Remind me to never wear a hard hat again.

We stayed at ASD for quite a while because this is the biggest job Chad’s ever had, and quite frankly, it’s fascinating.  We finally left because Chad wanted to drive me around town.

Two and a half minutes later, we had driven through the entire town and decided to eat dinner at Bar Harbor Restaurant.  It’s a tiny little shack that’s rated the #2 restaurant in Ketchikan on Trip Advisor.  Chad had the Alaskan halibut tacos and I had gnocchi with pesto and crab.  Dinner was delicious, but the best part of the meal was watching the townspeople come in and greet each other.  Everyone seems to know everyone in this town.  I would personally hate that, but it's very charming and adorable from an outside perspective.

After dinner we drove up and down Tongass Highway, looking at the rundown homes, the stunning views of the surrounding mountains, and trying to spot Eskimos.  I’m not sure that’s politically correct, but it’s what we did.  I saw quite a few folks who I thought were Eskimos, but we were driving too fast for me to roll down my window and yell, “Hey!  Are you an Eskimo?” because that might come across as rude and insensitive.  They weren’t wearing the traditional Eskimo attire (all of my ideas of what Eskimos look like come from Chilly Willy and I’m fairly certain that nowadays that would be considered “racist”).  Also, I saw zero igloos, zero dogs pulling sleds, and zero Sarah Palin.  Needless to say I was shocked.  It looks like I will spend the weekend undoing the Alaska stereotypes that flood my brain from being raised on cartoons, and Chad and I will explore this tiny island, hoping to find some hibernating bears that I can feed berries and honey.

Chad’s apartment is awesome.  He’s right in the middle of downtown, he’s got an unbelievable view, and the apartment is huge.  The furniture looks like it was bought at the estate sale of an 80 year old woman, but I’m not complaining. 

Chad's apartment.

Where the river is windin’

Big nuggets they're findin'

North to Alaska (They go north, the rush is on)

North to Alaska (they go north, the rush is on)

- Johnny Horton

 - Chad and Rachel