alaska!
I'm Going To
I will soon embark on a once in a lifetime experience and check a long awaited destination off my bucket list: Alaska. If you know me or have been following my travels, you know just how long I have longed for this experience. My original trip in August 2020 never took flight, so I'm thrilled to finally be on my way to the the famed Inside Passage and "Salmon Capital Of The World" to experience Ketchikan and Waterfall Resort.
the journey
What's the best way to get to Alaska? Alaska Airlines, of course. We will depart Dallas (DFW) at 6 a.m. on a Tuesday morning to travel to Seattle (SEA) and then on to Ketchikan (KTN).
We will land in Ketchikan at 11 a.m. local time (Alaska Daylight) and stay at The Cape Fox Lodge, which is tucked into the hillside on the edge of the Tongass National Forest. The Ketchikan airport is on an island separate from the town, so we’ll transfer to The Cap Fox Lodge via the Airport Ferry ($6 per person).
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I'm still researching how to spend our time in Ketchikan, as we'll have the full day to explore. But as many of you know, one of my favorite parts about traveling is the adventure that comes with it. I like to be knowledgable about a destination without having too much planned in advance. Talking to locals is often the best way to determine what to do and see.
I've investigated what my friends at Travel Alaska recommend, so I have some general ideas. And our gracious host from Waterfall (Chuck Baird) and local expert booked a 6 p.m. sunset cruise, which I'm very excited to experience.
the main attraction
Next up is the main attraction: Waterfall Resort Alaska, a fishing lodge that has been around since 1912 (if you're inclined, check out the cool history of the resort). Accessible only by air and sea, Waterfall Resort is located on Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska’s 1,100-island Alexander Archipelago, near the Inside Passage. According to the resort, it's as as easily reached as it's wonderfully remote.
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Fun fact: the Inside Passage is the historic settlers’ route turned interisland marine highway.
That's the big picture of the trip. Continue reading if you want to know more about my Alaska fishing adventure!
my first floatplane
I'll never forget the excitement I felt the day I learned of Waterfall Resort and saw a picture of the floatplane you take to the property. That was five years ago and now the dream is coming true!
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I'm equally as nervous as I am excited for the last leg of our journey to get to Waterfall Resort. We'll be taking a 40-min floatplane (my first ever!) from Ketchikan, arranged by the Waterfall team. Floatplanes depart at 11:30 a.m. from the Cape Fox Lodge lobby and upon landing, it's pretty much straight to the equipment room and onto a boat for the fifishing experience to begin.
One of my favorite things about travel is the opportunities (like this) it provides to try new things and get out of your comfort zone. While I plan to take a digital detox on this trip (no social media or posting), I will most certainly be calling my family upon landing to let them know I made it!
packing for the trip
The resort offers a very helpful packing list to ensure you arrive with all the necessities they don't already provide, which includes:
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All-weather gear
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Helly Hansen bib overalls
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Hooded jackets
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Neoprene XtraTuf boots
Because Alaska weather can change in an instant, the plan is to layer and be comfortable. Thanks to my pals at Maui Jim (I'm talking to you, Karen!), I'm covered on the polarized glasses and the only new thing I had to buy for this trip is waterproof gloves. And of course, the only new thing I wanted to buy was a GoPro 10. I've got it and ALL the waterproof, fishing, and adventure accessories ready to go. A digital detox does not mean I won't be capturing the entire experience to share upon my return!
