Ketchikan Duck Tour
On our second visit to Ketchikan, Alaska, we chose to adventure on one of the more unique shore excursions we had ever experienced: we rode the “Duck” mobile.
What is the “Duck” mobile you may ask? It is an amphibious vehicle that tours both on land and in the water. That sounds interesting we thought. Therefore, we chose this to do when we were in Alaska last summer.
Arriving at the port of Ketchikan, we saw the familiar annual rainfall gauge, and port shopping area. It was cool, drizzly overcast day again, but we were ready for our adventure. We noticed parked very close to the dock the large yellow “Duck” mobile. It stood about 6 ft. off the ground; it had an enclosed roof, windows at each seat for viewing, and a large ladder to climb in order to get abroad.
Our trip was about 2 hours driving through the interior of the Ketchikan area, past the Salmon Ladder, and past several salmon hatcheries. We also drove past the infamous Creek Street, now turned antiques and shopping district.
Creek Street during the gold rush era was the old Red Light District. The street has quite a scandalous history.
Creek Street Prostitution
Taken from ExperienceKetchikan
“The History of Creek Street can be summed up by fishermen, bootleggers, & prostitutes, oh my! Creek Street is known as Ketchikan’s old red-light district. In the mid 1920’s there were over 20 bawdy houses on Creek Street alone! In fact, Creek Street was once home to Ketchikan’s #1 industry prostitution. The prostitutes or working women were frequented by men looking for a little company and some liquor.
During prohibition, Creek Street was the place to go for a drink as bootleggers would smuggle in Canadian whiskey to supply the houses of prostitution and backroom saloons. Creek Street Ketchikan is built over the water and the bootleggers would simply wait until high tide and would row their rowboats right up the stream to deliver their goods in the cloak of darkness. Most of the houses had hidden trap doors underneath the house just to receive delivery!”
We enjoyed learning about Creek Street. We continued from there and explored more of Ketchikan. About half way through the trip, our driver drove us down a boat launch and into the harbor. We were now floating past the boats in Ketchikan’s harbor. We had glimpses of many eagles flying high above the towering trees, seals lying sunning themselves on the rocky shore, and majestic mountain views.
We had a wonderful, very memorable time in Alaska. I hope to go there again someday.
Jill's Cabana Stories and Travels 