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Peiying Mo | profile | all galleries >> Travel >> Alaska Panhandle >> By Land >> Ketchikan tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Ketchikan

Ketchikan, surrounded by mountains and seas, means "Thundering Wings of an Eagle" in the Tlingit Indian language. Without connections through road or rail, it is only accessible by air and sea. We flew from here to Misty Fjord National Monument on a floatplane. Fishing and mining once dominated the economy. It was Salmon Capital of the World in the 1930s.

It is also known for having the world's largest collection of the totem poles - an important Indian art form. We went to the Saxman Village to see some on display. Totem figures are not Gods. Totems are not worshiped like religious icons nor used as a talisman. They were never used to ward off evil spirits and claims of bizarre, magical "totemism" practices are fiction. The meanings of many totem poles are lost with time.
The rustic and charming Ketchikan
The rustic and charming Ketchikan
The very touristy buggy ride
The very touristy buggy ride
The former red-light district is now a popular tourist destination
The former red-light district is now a popular tourist destination
There are lots of big trees perfect for carving
There are lots of big trees perfect for carving
At the carving center, a worker carves a totem using ancient designs and paints
At the carving center, a worker carves a totem using ancient designs and paints
Some historical totems are being restored
Some historical totems are being restored
The Saxman Totem Park
The Saxman Totem Park
The Saxman Clan House
The Saxman Clan House
A  worker is retouching the faces of the creatures
A worker is retouching the faces of the creatures
All the totems are original, moving from other Tlinglit villages
All the totems are original, moving from other Tlinglit villages
g5/11/16011/3/67551204.UJjsaQIl.jpg Each totem tells a story
Each totem tells a story
the story starts from bottom to top
the story starts from bottom to top
Ravens and wolves are are among the frequently used symbols
Ravens and wolves are are among the frequently used symbols
No two totems are alike
No two totems are alike
The stories are usually about the relationships between nature and humans
The stories are usually about the relationships between nature and humans
Posing with the Halibut Totem
Posing with the Halibut Totem
With Tlingit artist Ken Decker and his drum
With Tlingit artist Ken Decker and his drum