Sell me on Ketchican... - Alaska (AK) - Page 3 - City-Data Forum

akvarmit · 09-22-2009, 09:50 PM

Hi Lyoness! Yikes, we did it very leisurely too, so our itinerary won't help ya either. I think you could make it to WA from your state in 5 days easy, to give yourself a little wiggle room.
I know in October for us, the ferry only left Bellingham on Fridays.

Metlakatla · 09-22-2009, 10:48 PM

There are some years when Ketchikan gets very little snow at all and it really doesn't get that cold.

A couple of years ago I flew down when we were having a cold snap all over the state---left Anch. at about -15 or so; it was 19 above in Ketchikan and felt colder than here.

I don't mean to deter you, but gloom and rain is a given more often than not. Everything seems waterlogged. When the sun's out, though, there doesn't seem to be noticeable humidity.

DannyL · 09-23-2009, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barkingowl

Someone in Talkeetna told me that Southeast really isn't Alaska. She was adamant about it & pulled out a large map to show me that she was telling the truth. She repeatedly used her hands to reinforce the stupidity of her words. Apparently because SE was the size of her finger & the rest of the state was larger than her hand it was supposed to mean something. I didn't buy anything at her store.

Sounds like something Palin would say.....

akck · 09-23-2009, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lyoness

It's the long periods of cloudy days that I'm worried I won't handle well. I have no problem with cold, tons of snow and shorter days in the winter (we have that here to an extent), but cloudy, gloomy, rainy days tend to wear me down even here......

I'm trying to have a plan just in case I have to move quickly as it looks like they only have one ferry that only leaves on Fridays in October.

You'll have to figure there will be months where you won't see the sun because of clouds and rain. Sometimes those are consecutive months. The sunny days can be some of the nicest, but there are few of them.

There is only one run from Bellingham each week, any time of the year. There are between 2-4 departures from Prince Rupert each week, so you have more options if you can leave from there, plus it's about a 6 hour trip to Ketchikan and much cheaper.

stiffnecked · 09-23-2009, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akck

There are between 2-4 departures from Prince Rupert each week, so you have more options if you can leave from there, plus it's about a 6 hour trip to Ketchikan and much cheaper.

Awesome advice. I saved a lot money by going through Prince Rupert.

lyoness · 09-23-2009, 05:43 PM

Thanks so much for all the help! I can't rep a one of ya yet, sorry

. I hadn't thought much about Prince Rupert, but that would save a ton, I wouldn't have to have a cabin! So, since I'm driving alone I'm thinking I should be safe to allow myself 7 days? I don't want to push myself too hard as I'm not use to driving like that, and I don't want to set a goal of certain miles per day. Stiffneck do you live on Ketchikan?

stiffnecked · 09-23-2009, 05:51 PM

I used to live in Ketchikan. We moved to Anchorage over the summer. The drive to Prince Rupert is pretty easy. I've driven it at all times of the year.

akck · 09-24-2009, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lyoness

Thanks so much for all the help! I can't rep a one of ya yet, sorry

. I hadn't thought much about Prince Rupert, but that would save a ton, I wouldn't have to have a cabin! So, since I'm driving alone I'm thinking I should be safe to allow myself 7 days? I don't want to push myself too hard as I'm not use to driving like that, and I don't want to set a goal of certain miles per day. Stiffneck do you live on Ketchikan?

Seven days should be plenty. That would be about 400 miles per day and you should be able to do better than that. If you do go to Prince Rupert, remember you'll need a passport and you might have to get there the day before, depending on when the ferry leaves (have to be there a couple of hours before).

lyoness · 09-24-2009, 12:32 PM

I checked it out, the drive to Prince Rupert is olny about 400 miles further, and the fare is about $350 less, plus the cost of a cabin for 2 days if I took the ferry from Bellingham. I got my passport already (thought I was gonna get to drive the Alcan last spring), so I feel pretty comfortable knowing more. Stiffneck how do you think the cost of living compares in Anchorage to Ketchikan? And if I may, can I asked why you moved, as in cost of living or weather related?

stiffnecked · 09-24-2009, 05:47 PM

I personally think the cost of living in Anchorage is much cheaper than in Ketchikan. The weather is different though. Especially the winters. We lived in Anchorage back in the early to mid 90's. We were just ready for a change plus 2 of my semi-adult children live here.