The Gibbs Family: KETCHIKAN TOTEM BIGHT & LUMBERJACK SHOW....

First stop in Ketchikan was the Lumberjack show, the show is situated on the site of the old Ketchikan Spruce Mill. The mill was at one time the largest Spruce Mill in the world. During its history it provided lumber for the 1898 Gold Rush and Alaska's fish canneries..... It was very entertaining and lots of fun!!!!

They were in two teams with two men on each team...... the competition has begun. Who will chop through the log first??!!!

Next was axe throwing ..... bulls eye!!!!

log cutting....

They are demonstrating how they chop a tree down, that is very tall...... the board is stuck into the log, extending out for them to stand on. Pretty amazing!!!!

Next was speed climbing.....

log running.....

The best part of the show..... log rolling. They were able to keep it going for over 10 minutes, even with splashing each other and trying to knock each other off......then he was down!!!

"Red" showing his talent with the chainsaw.....

Next we were off to Totem Bight National Park.....This Tlingit pole was designed and carved for Totem Bight by Charles Brown. The pole was typical of ancient times, and a good means of protection during times of war.

Man wearing Bear Hat: This Tlingit grave marker was copied from Cat Island by Tlingit carver Charles Brown. In 1995 Israel Shotridge carved a second replica. It depicts a man of the Bear clan wearing a large carved wooden hat surmounted by a bear’s head and surrounded on the brim by painted whales. The hat was worn at a potlatch or an important occasion during which stories were told or dramatized.

This Totel pole has been in the making for over 20 plus years.....

A community house or clanhouse of this size could have housed 30 to 50 people. Although it is doubtful a clanhouse existed on this site (originally a fish camp), this design is representative of the type in many Indian villages built in the early 19th century. Inside is one large room with a central fireplace surrounded by a planked platform. The walls and floors were hand-adzed to smooth the surface and remove splinters. The dwelling served as living quarters for several families of a particular lineage. Each was allotted its own space but shared a common fire. Housewares, treasured items, and blankets were stored under the removable floor boards, and food items were hung from the beams and rafters. The members belonging to the house would be headed by a house chief of the same lineage.

the door you enter and exit through......

Sea Monster Pole: Carved by John Wallace, this pole resembles one from the deserted Haida village of Klinkwan. A village watchman stands guard at the top. Below are two eagles. Underneath are painted faces representing mountains and clouds, the habitat of eagles. Below is a small carved face, a personification of the undersea home of the supernatural blackfish which holds a seal. The duck-like beaked creature is the mythical sea monster. The small face under the beak is the monster’s spirit power. Tentacles with a face beneath represent a devilfish in the act of devouring the human being at the base of the pole. (this totem pole was so tall I had to take in two separate shots)

Kadjuk Bird Pole: This Tlingit pole was copied from Cat Island. A similar pole can also be found in Ketchikan. The fabled Kadjuk bird sits on the top of the pole. The undecorated portion of the pole symbolizes the lofty habitat of the bird and the high esteem in which the crest is held. Raven is the next figure, with his breast forming the headdress of his wife, Fog Woman, wearing the labret in her lower lip. In her hands she holds two salmon, which she produced, the first in the world. The two large faces at the base represent the two slaves of Raven.

Kat’s Bear Wife: This pole, copied from Tongass Island, is of the bear and tracks, symbolizing Kat’s Bear Wife. Kat was a character out of Tlingit mythology known across the country and claimed by many as an ancestor. He hunted grizzly bears for a living. After his death, his wife retreated into the hill country with songs of sorrow. The pole was carved to commemorate his bear wife. In 1985, carver Israel Shotridge replaced the bear portion of the pole.