Alaska – Visit Ketchikan’s Southeast Alaska Discover Center & Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center in Juneau

Ketchikan – Southeast Alaska Discovery Center (info from the center)

At the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center in downtown Ketchikan, you can explore the unique natural and cultural history of the Tongass National Forest, a place where people have lived in harmony with nature for thousands of years. Stroll through a lush rainforest, visit a re-created native fishing village and learn how the Tongass sustains Southeast Alaska communities today. You can also hear the story of the forest in person from one of our friendly Forest Service rangers, enjoy a film in our comfortable theatre or help your kids become Junior Rangers. In the summer, join a ranger for a guided walk and learn about Ketchikan's enduring ties to the rainforest.

We are located at 50 Main Street, just a short walk from the cruise ship docks. Visit our directions page for driving or walking directions. 

We're open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. all summer long. Admission is just $5 for adults (CC or cash accepted only), and includes access to all of the center's exhibits, films and ranger programs. Kids are free when accompanied by an adult, and we honor and sell all of the America the Beautiful federal passes.

Juneau - Mendenhall Glacier Visitors Center (info from the center)

See you next article ... July 20, 2016
Between now & then ... I will be 'in Alaska' my 14th time there ...
and planning to visit both of these centers.

Alaska is home to a wide variety of wild Pacific Alaskan salmon. Did you know ? And terms

Found this insight from AlasakSalmon.com:

 

Did you know ?

*Rainbow, or Steel Head trout are a type of pacific salmon
*Less than one out of every thousand salmon eggs live to be spawning adults
*Salmon is a healthy food that is high in vitamin D, protein, and omega-3.
*Alaska Salmon run at different times depending on the location and the species of salmon.

Alaska is home to a wide variety of wild Pacific Alaskan salmon.

King Chinook Salmon
Silver Coho Salmon
Red Sockeye Salmon
Pink Humpback Salmon
Chum Keta Salmon
Cutthroat Trout Salmon
Steelhead Trout Salmon

Terms: 

Anadromous - A fish that spawns in fresh water but lives the majority of their lives in saltwater.
Salmonid - Family of fish that includes salmon, trout, and whitefish.
Alevin - A salmonid that has hatched from the egg, but the egg sac is still attached. The egg sac provides nourishment until the salmonid is able to catch food.
Fry - The name for a juvenile salmon that has absorbed its egg sac and is rearing in the stream.
Kype - The hooked jaw many male salmon develop during spawning
Parr - A large juvenile salmonid, sometimes called a fingerling, during this stage between a fry and a smolt.
Smolt - A juvenile salmonid that will soon enter the ocean. During this stage, the fish changes from the camouflage spots to a sliver chrome color.
Substrate - Material such as rocks and gravel that make up a stream bottom.

 

The cruise lines offer opportunities for packages ‘and’ there are many private charters available.  These tours ashore, sell out quickly because they are so very popular ! 

Not just men sign up for these type excursions, but women too.  I’ve been with my father !  Matter of fact, I was the only one that day, who caught 2, that were large enough to keep. We had them smoked and shipped home. Totally delightful, to come home and enjoy salmon you caught yourself.

The cost to have them package is not expensive at all. To ship, different story.  But it’s not much different in cost, than had you gone to your local grocer and bought fresh salmon !

Though I won’t be fishing on my upcoming cruise to Alaska in June, I am totally looking forward to viewing salmon in Ketchikan … At the famous creek !

Isn’t it time to visit Alaska and try out some salmon fishing ?

Call me & get away to Alaska !
(434/800) 237-3832

Next Alaska Blog article, June 15.  See you then !