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Strangers in Paradise … Ketchikan, Alaska

August 27, 2014 by Lynn Leave a Comment

 

Ketchikan

Brown Bears fishing for salmon in Tongass forest near Ketchikan Alaska (photo fs.usda.gov)

Brown Bears fishing for salmon in Tongass forest near Ketchikan Alaska (photo fs.usda.gov)

 

Imagine a paradise for salmon fishing … thousands of pink salmon running upstream through miles of fresh creek water which flows into their spawning grounds in Margaret Lake. The creek runs through Tongass National Forest, the largest forest in the U.S. which happens to cover most of southeast Alaska, and is just a 30 mile drive or a 20 minute Floatplane ride from Ketchikan, Alaska.

Denis boarding DeHavilland Beaver seaplane for flight to Margaret Creek from Ketchikan Alaska

Denis boarding DeHavilland Beaver seaplane for flight to Margaret Creek from Ketchikan Alaska

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Officially proclaimed as a “national forest” by Teddy Roosevelt, who also lent his name to the “Teddy Bear” after he helped rescue a small bear cub, Tongass is referred to as the “Great Bear Rainforest” and provides the spawning grounds for over 80% of southeast Alaska’s salmon fishing industry.

Seaplane flight up the Tongass Narrows towards Traitor's Cove - near Ketchikan Alaska

Seaplane flight up the Tongass Narrows towards Traitor’s Cove – near Ketchikan Alaska

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And why is Tongass such a paradise for bears, both the giant brown grizzly and the smaller black bears? Because bears are omnivores who love to go salmon fishing and then feast on their fresh catch as well as on the abundant greenery in this national forest.

Ketchikan Alaska

Ketchikan Alaska

 

So earthly paradise still exists for the bears of southeast Alaska, and we had the distinct pleasure this morning to take an early morning “floatplane” (amphibious seaplane) from Ketchikan to Traitors’ Cove to observe the bears salmon-fishing on Revillagigedo Island. Both the ride to and from Traitors’ Cove provided spectacular views of both the islands in and the mountains surrounding the water below. But the most memorable part of our excursion was observing the salmon running in the great spawning migration up against the currents and the bears joyfully fishing for them in bear paradise.

Stay tuned to BonVoyageurs.com for more Countries of the World as we share our joie de vivre from around the world.  Luxury escapes and city breaks to Quebec City, New York, Washington, Buenos Aires. In Europe, places like Paris France, Nice France, Provence and the Cote d’Azur (French Riviera), Tuscany and Florence in Italy, Rome, Napoli and the Amalfi Coast. In Asia, countries like China, India, Nepal and so much more!

Filed Under: Alaska Cruise, Cruises, N. America, Uncategorized, USA Tagged With: Alaska, around the world, Bear, city breaks, Joie de vivre, Ketchikan, luxury escapes, Quebec City, Salmon, Travel, USA

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Meet the Crew.

TOP 10 travel experts and influencers on social media and rated as one of the most influential travel bloggers in the world, Denis and Lynn Gagnon have been circling the globe for more than 45 years. Former international business travelers, they know how to travel - with class, comfort, and style. Members of the National Press Club, PTBA , NATJA and SATW. Wish to connect? Email them at BonVoyageurs@gmail.com.

A NEW addition to the BonVoyageurs team is Atlanta-based travel writer and culinary expert Dominique Gagnon, and travel photographer Justin Ellis. By day, Dominique designs and grows new meaningful consumer brands, while Justin is a neuroscientist and psychiatrist researching early brain development. By night, they are watching Chef's Table while plotting their next culinary and sport adventure.

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