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Private tour in Ketchikan Cruin M
The Spirit in the Wood -- Ketchikan Totem poles and Northwest Coast Native Art
4.8
(5) reviews
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2 hours
30 minutes
1
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2 hours
30 minutes
1
Cruin M.
4.9
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121
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About me: I grew up in Scotland. Then, at 17, I went to Canada for while. I lived in the Laurentian Mountains, in a cabin in the woods, and I worked as a freelance journalist and columnist. I moved to Ketchikan, Alaska 18 years ago, and finally found a home. I worked on the Alaska State Ferry System for about 8 years. But I married a local girl, a beautiful Tlingit Raven-Clan woman named Elizabeth. She did not like me spending weeks away from home, so I left the Ferry System. I started work as a tour guide, driving large tour groups, 40-60 people, around Ketchikan. I love being a tour guide - every human being has a story to tell, and as a tour guide, I get to hear those stories. But coordinating large groups of tourist often left me too busy to hear some of their stories. I am pleased that ToursByLocals gives me that opportunity to conduct smaller, more intimate, tours. That gives me the time to get to know people a bit better, and to hear their stories. I hope you will come and let me show around Ketchikan, and tell you about South East Alaska, the native culture and carvers, and the plants and animals of the Tongass National Forest. I look forward to hearing your own stories. I have had many jobs in my life. I have been a Journalist and writer, SE Alaska Ferry Worker, a professional tour guide. I have taught writing, and biology. I have loved life (and I still do). I speak marginally well in English (Scots) I write well but speak poorly in French (Quebecois). Bidh mi a’ sgrìobhadh agus a’ bruidhinn beagan Gàidhlig. (Scottish Gaelic). Driving tours max of 5 or 6 travelers (although sometimes I can charter larger vehicles for custom tours). Walking tours max of 25 people, or even more – contact me for walking tours with more than 10.
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Cruin M.
Learn of Totem Poles, the symbols, faces, and animal and what they mean
Overview of your Ketchikan tour
Southeast Alaska traditional art still lives and thrives here in Ketchikan. As well as totem poles all over town. The Totem Heritage Center maintains the oldest poles under controlled air and humidity. Ketchikan has a number of master carvers, reproducing old poles and working traditional form-line design into some unique and beautiful modern designs. I am an amateur carver myself I can show you some of my self-forged tools. I know many of the best modern carvers and am very familiar with their work. Some I can even recognize from the distinctive adzing, the cut-marks left by their tools. The poles are covered in symbols and faces, and animals, which come to life when you know the stories behind them. I have been a story-teller all my life, and I will delight in telling you some of these stories. I would like for you, just for a moment, to feel the Spirit in the Wood! ***Norwegian Cruise Line Passengers Please see note in Itinerary below***
Your Ketchikan tour itinerary
* Pick up at downtown dock * Whale Park, Chief Kyan Pole *Chief Johnson Pole the "Fog Woman Pole" I Fog Woman and how she brought the salmon. *Creek Street, red-light district *Raven's Pole - I will tell you how Raven stole the Sun and Moon *Downtown museum which has a small but exquisite display of native art (as well as nice bathrooms!) *Salmon Ladder which most salmon ignore to jump the falls *Bear Valley *(Optional) Beautiful City Park * (Op. ) Totem Heritage Center, which houses some ancient poles *Return vial south end of town, pausing to see Raven Steals Sun by Israel Shotridge *Drop you off at the ship, or if you prefer, at downtown center ***Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Regent Seven Seas, Virgin, Oceania, and Viking passengers*** Tour starts in downtown Ketchikan. You can book it if you shuttle bus in from NCL Ward Cove Dock. If you want a tour that picks up and drops at NCL dock, see tour: Ward Cove & Ketchikan. https://www.toursbylocals.com/WardKetchikan
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Transport details
Type: Private Transportation
I conduct small tours in my personal minibus - a 2015 Toyota Sienna. There is one driver seat and six passenger seats: 1 up front, 2 bucket seats second row, and 3 row seats in the third row (the middle one is for a skinny person). I can fold away a back seat or two if we need to carry a wheelchair or scooter (I am happy to do so).
What's included
What's not included
Meeting location
Airport: ,Cruise: ,ByGuide: Meeting at airport means at the Airport ferry dock. If you need pick-up at the Airport Island ($40) contact me.
- You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
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Traveller reviews for this private tour in Ketchikan
5 reviews
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2 hours
30 minutes
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2 hours
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If your tour is valued over $200 USD and booked at least 45 days before the tour date, you can book with a deposit!
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