Totem Bight

Eagle wearing a Chilkat blanket.

Ketchikan is home to the world's largest collection of totem poles, making the Totem Bight State Park an annual adventure when we are in town. The Chilkat blanket was a prized possession amongst the natives, with the art of weaving orininating with the Tsimshians near Wrangell, AK and spreading to the Tlingit tribes through trade & marriage. A unique combination of mountain goat hair (hunted by the men) & red cedar bark fibers, it was woven by the women with the men's detailed design in mind. The color combination is always black, white, yellow & blue due to the natural dyes available in the area.

http://www.dnr.state.ak.us/parks/units/totembgh.htm

The Halibut pole, my Mom's favorite, is being redone as the pole was rotting from so much rain. It was fun to see it close up as opposed to suspended high above us...don't ask me why I am making such a silly face.
Oscar throwing rocks into the ocean during high tide.

Fireweed: nearing the top to remind us that summer is almost over.

The Clan House

(This is a replica built by the CCC in the late 30's)

Oscar & I in the infamous clanhouse doorway

It's all in the details...

A few of the poles will soon be undergoing extensive work as they have been damaged by rot from too much rain exposure or insects.

Big Boy: Oscar was so cute trying to hold the railing as he walked down the boardwalk.Typical summer day in Ketchikan: raining with temps in the mid-50's.

Must...Pick...Up...Rock!

Throwing boulders this time!

Oscar had a few close calls when they fell near his feet rather than in the water. He probably wouldn't have felt anything though as he had gotten his feet wet!

Gee! Haw!
Practicing our mushing commands outside a nearby curio store.