The good weather held for our final cruise into Ketchikan.  Blue skies, glassy seas and snow capped peaks surrounded us as we traveled in our usual formation.  We spotted some Dall’s porpoise feeding in the open water and a few came over to play in our wake.  We also passed a humpback whale spouting alongside us.  It was a peaceful and beautiful final day on the water.

After cruising together for nearly three weeks, it felt bittersweet to pull in to the docks in Ketchikan.  Of course, there was excitement and a sense of accomplishment having made it over 700 miles through the Inside Passage to Alaska.  But, arriving at our destination also means that the trip is ending and that we have to say goodbye to our cruising companions who have become like a big extended family to us.  We will certainly miss this group, though I have a feeling that we will see many of them again.

Once at the docks, we cleared customs, fueled and watered up and then sat back to relax before going to explore the city.  Ketchikan is a fun, bustling town with lots of sightseeing opportunities.  We took a walk downtown and explored the historic red light Creek street district, “where both men and salmon came to spawn.”  Now the boardwalk streets are lined with cute shops selling local art and goods.

In Ketchikan, we went out for one last group dinner at a flotilla favorite, Annabelle’s.  It was a nice way to end the trip with a final group gathering and send off.  We enjoyed a great meal together with memories of all we have seen still fresh in our minds.  Tomorrow our crews will go their separate ways as they begin their travels home.  Some still have a few weeks of vacation on the west coast before heading back.  Others have their minds on the pets, grand-kids, friends and family that await back home.  We wish them all the best and we hope to cruise with them again someday.  Cheers from the Deception crew- Jordan, Brodie, Hannah and Lilly.  And thank you to everyone that made this trip possible!