A Comfy Fish Culture in Southeast Alaska

January 03, 2009 at 9:12 am

You know when you just feel comfortable somewhere? 

I always get this feeling in Southeast Alaska.  Whether it is Skagway, Haines, Valdez, Juneau or places in between, I feel at home. If you have traveled the Inside Passage with the ferry you get a good sense of the people and landscapes that make this place what it is.  I think in part it is the casual, friendly, down to earth nature of the people, and the constant beauty of the mountains, waters and wildlife.  The southeast of Alaska is a special kind of place, and I think everyone who lives there knows it.

To escape the Yukon cold, we recently spent a few nights in Juneau.  Our plan included driving the truck to Skagway and then on the ferry.  We stayed at a great place, called the Rainforest Cottage (perfect for our family of four + two grandparents).  Our days were filled with walking, visiting the glacier, skiiing, eating, playing indoor tennis and shopping.

While lazily strolling downtown it was clear to me that it is the fish culture in these places that makes me feel so comfortable.  I enjoy looking at the fishing boats, the fish art in the stores, the fishing literature in the small book shops, the fishing pictures, the fishing tackle in hardware stores, the fish products and souvenirs, and the fresh fish in restaurants.  I tend to feel the same way along the coast in Oregon, on Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast.  One does not need to even have a line in the water to enjoy it. There is a fish-culture that permeates many aspects of these places that makes me feel at home.  I guess it would not be that different in logging towns if I had a thing for trees?

I should mention that if they have a great bakery, an organic food store and some great coffee my wife usually enjoys herself as well.

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