Friday July 31, 2009
We lucked out with the beautiful day yesterday. It began to sprinkle rain while we watched the bear last night, and then poured buckets all night. Today was a good day to do laundry, catch up our blog and answer email. Tomorrow we head out for more adventure back over Thompson Pass and on toward Tok.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Valdez Columbia Glacier Cruise and more
Thursday July 30, 2009
Today we awoke to blue skies and sunshine, so called the Stan Stephens tour boat to see if we could get on a 6 ½ hour tour today to Columbia Glacier (another great 2 for 1 coupon from our Tour Saver book).
On the way out we passed the end of the 800 mile pipeline. We saw the beginning in the Artic and now the end here in Valdez. The tankers average 25 a month now. They said in the beginning there we 50 a month. Most of the oil goes to Wa and CA. It makes up 17% of the total oil supply for the US. 
Today we awoke to blue skies and sunshine, so called the Stan Stephens tour boat to see if we could get on a 6 ½ hour tour today to Columbia Glacier (another great 2 for 1 coupon from our Tour Saver book).
On the way out we passed the end of the 800 mile pipeline. We saw the beginning in the Artic and now the end here in Valdez. The tankers average 25 a month now. They said in the beginning there we 50 a month. Most of the oil goes to Wa and CA. It makes up 17% of the total oil supply for the US. It was the perfect day for it and we were treated to spectacular views.
and lots of wildlife. We saw rafts of sea otters, 
this big guy was not going anywhere, 
stellar sea lions, 
notice the numbers on some of them,
humpback whales (up close) we watched then for about an hour. They would swim along taking big breaths them every so often dive for 5-10 minutes. When they dive and show their tail it is called, (going to show FLUKE)
puffins,
eagles and many other birds.
The Columbia Glacier is the second largest tidewater glacier in North America. We could only get as close as 10 miles from the toe of the glacier as it has calved off huge chunks of ice into Prince William Sound.
The glacier pushed tons of rubble into the water creating the moraine where the original end of the glacier was which in turn makes the water only about 30 feet deep here. The enormous icebergs get stuck on the bottom in this shallow water. 
The icebergs behind the moraine are floating in deeper water, but are all backed up behind the moraine. The color of these massive chunks of glacial ice is amazing. 
On the way back we saw a couple of sea lions hang out in the sun, 
And back at the dock in the boat harbor there was a sea outer literally taking a nap. He would wiggle like he was dreaming.
and lots of wildlife. We saw rafts of sea otters, this big guy was not going anywhere, stellar sea lions, notice the numbers on some of them,humpback whales (up close) we watched then for about an hour. They would swim along taking big breaths them every so often dive for 5-10 minutes. When they dive and show their tail it is called, (going to show FLUKE)puffins,eagles and many other birds.The Columbia Glacier is the second largest tidewater glacier in North America. We could only get as close as 10 miles from the toe of the glacier as it has calved off huge chunks of ice into Prince William Sound.
The glacier pushed tons of rubble into the water creating the moraine where the original end of the glacier was which in turn makes the water only about 30 feet deep here. The enormous icebergs get stuck on the bottom in this shallow water. The icebergs behind the moraine are floating in deeper water, but are all backed up behind the moraine. The color of these massive chunks of glacial ice is amazing. On the way back we saw a couple of sea lions hang out in the sun, And back at the dock in the boat harbor there was a sea outer literally taking a nap. He would wiggle like he was dreaming.When we got back we decided we would drive over toward the fish hatchery again on the chance that our favorite bear would be out for an evening of fishing. As luck would have it, he was right next to the road digging for roots. 
As people began to gather, he abandoned his digging and went off to fish, occasionally standing up on his hind legs to take in the scene.
That all for today:
As people began to gather, he abandoned his digging and went off to fish, occasionally standing up on his hind legs to take in the scene. That all for today:Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Valdez day 1, lots to see
Wednesday July 29, 2009
We stayed at the Glacier View Campground for $10.00/night, bushy campground a few miles before coming into Valdez and of course near Valdez Glacier. They are currently giving 21 sites a overhaul making them larger and adding 30 amp elec. They will be nice when they are done. There are waterfront campgrounds in town, ($$$$ and crowded) but we camped on the water in Homer and Steward and decided to park by a glacier this time. So much beauty to choose from!
Although the drive was sunny, about 10 miles from Valdez the weather turned a bit gloomy and rainy, so we decided to drive around Valdez, just to see what’s there. There is a funky gift shop in town called Sugar and Spice that shows free movies. One is on the 1964 earthquake that decimated Valdez, so much so that the entire town had to be moved to a new location. The other movie is on the building of the oil pipeline from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez.
We also stopped in the visitor’s center and drove by the community college to take a picture of a huge carving by Peter Toth.
There are two museums in Valdez, the Valdez Historical Museum and the Maxine and Jesse Whitney Museum. We decided to skip the museums here, as we are cross-eyed from visiting museums. There is also an exhibit near the waterfront called Remembering Old Valdez. WE did hike up to the top of an overlook near the convention center that is definitely worth the effort. You have an excellent 360 degree overview of the town and the harbor. 
There was even a Princess Cruise ship there for the day.
We also visited Old Valdez. There really isn’t much there except the concrete slab where the old Post Office was and some pilings sticking out of the sand. It is pretty clear that this would not be a good town-site location.
Late in the day we drove out to the other side of the bay to where the fish hatchery is located. You have to see the droves of spawning silver and pink salmon returning to the fish hatchery where they were born.
You have to see it to believe it. 
We also watched as gulls took advantage of salmon left high and dry as the tide retreated.
The sea lions also could get their fill with the waters teaming with salmon.
We stayed at the Glacier View Campground for $10.00/night, bushy campground a few miles before coming into Valdez and of course near Valdez Glacier. They are currently giving 21 sites a overhaul making them larger and adding 30 amp elec. They will be nice when they are done. There are waterfront campgrounds in town, ($$$$ and crowded) but we camped on the water in Homer and Steward and decided to park by a glacier this time. So much beauty to choose from!
Although the drive was sunny, about 10 miles from Valdez the weather turned a bit gloomy and rainy, so we decided to drive around Valdez, just to see what’s there. There is a funky gift shop in town called Sugar and Spice that shows free movies. One is on the 1964 earthquake that decimated Valdez, so much so that the entire town had to be moved to a new location. The other movie is on the building of the oil pipeline from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez.
We also stopped in the visitor’s center and drove by the community college to take a picture of a huge carving by Peter Toth.
There are two museums in Valdez, the Valdez Historical Museum and the Maxine and Jesse Whitney Museum. We decided to skip the museums here, as we are cross-eyed from visiting museums. There is also an exhibit near the waterfront called Remembering Old Valdez. WE did hike up to the top of an overlook near the convention center that is definitely worth the effort. You have an excellent 360 degree overview of the town and the harbor. There was even a Princess Cruise ship there for the day.We also visited Old Valdez. There really isn’t much there except the concrete slab where the old Post Office was and some pilings sticking out of the sand. It is pretty clear that this would not be a good town-site location.
Late in the day we drove out to the other side of the bay to where the fish hatchery is located. You have to see the droves of spawning silver and pink salmon returning to the fish hatchery where they were born.
You have to see it to believe it. We also watched as gulls took advantage of salmon left high and dry as the tide retreated.The sea lions also could get their fill with the waters teaming with salmon.
sorry no picture
The best fun was watching a young grizzly for about an hour fishing in the tide marshes. He would stomp in the marsh and eventually trap a salmon, take a few bites then on to another. There was just so many to choose from. You don't get to see that in Seattle every day!
The best fun was watching a young grizzly for about an hour fishing in the tide marshes. He would stomp in the marsh and eventually trap a salmon, take a few bites then on to another. There was just so many to choose from. You don't get to see that in Seattle every day!
Beautiful Drive to Valdez
Wednesday July 29, 2009
We woke up to blue skies and a beautiful sunny day, so we packed up and are off to Valdez. The last 50 miles into Valdez over Thompson pass is probably one of the prettiest drives we’ve taken on this trip (no doubt enhanced by the ideal weather). Around every corner is a spectacular view. The mountains are tall and craggy or carpeted in green.
We woke up to blue skies and a beautiful sunny day, so we packed up and are off to Valdez. The last 50 miles into Valdez over Thompson pass is probably one of the prettiest drives we’ve taken on this trip (no doubt enhanced by the ideal weather). Around every corner is a spectacular view. The mountains are tall and craggy or carpeted in green.
There are little lakes and moose ponds everywhere. 
This area has several lodges, mostly dedicated to winter sports. They get over 25 feet of snow here each year, making heli-skiing and snow-mobiling very popular.
There are numerous pull-outs for free camping and several nice campgrounds along this road as well. If we were a bit later in the season we could pick the abundance of wild blueberries.
Worthington Glacier comes right down near the road. As you drive the curved highway you feel you are driving right into the glacier. 
Next is Thompson Pass.
At this point the pipeline is underground. There is not a problem with permafrost in this area and the pipeline is safer from damage underground due to winter avalanches. There are lots of lakes and streams perfect for the fisherman, and we’ve been told that the potholed road into the Blueberry Lake State Recreation campgrounds is worth the trip. Over the pass we were treated to spectacular Keystone Canyon with Bridal Veil Falls 
and Horse Tail Falls. In winter this falls freezes over and climbers ice-pick their way up the face of the frozen falls. 
Stay tuned for more:
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Boon Docking north of Valdez
July 26-27, 2009
As we said last post we have stopped for a few days to get caught up on bills, school, email, and more.
And for the first time we were able to get Direct TV. They say you can not get it up here with out a monster dish but as you can see we have a smaller dish and it is working great. Yea!
And for the first time we were able to get Direct TV. They say you can not get it up here with out a monster dish but as you can see we have a smaller dish and it is working great. Yea!We found a nice wayside off in the trees away from the road.
Cost is $0
Cost is $0View is great
Sunset even better.
more later.........
Saturday, July 25, 2009
To Valdez
July 25, 2009
On to Glenallen. This again, is a beautiful drive, especially since the clouds cleared away giving us breath-taking views
of Gunsight Mountain to the west and snow-covered Mount Sanford, Mount Drum Mount Wrangell, and Mount Blackburn to the east. 
Along the way we passed many disabled participants involved in a marathon around Alaska.
After a quick visit to Glennallen’s Visitor’s Center we headed down the Richardson Highway toward Valdez. We traveled along the edge of the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve which we’ll go into a bit on our way out. 
We parked for the night at a wayside suggested by a fellow RV blogger. We were able to back into an opening in the scrubs, out of the way and with nice views once again.
The weather here is nice, but over the mountain in Valdez they are having rain which is to clear up in the next day or two. Therefore, we’ve decided to hang out here getting work done and taking a break from being tourists for a couple of days until the weather clears in Valdez. We want good weather as we hope to take a Columbia Glacier boat tour, and perhaps a kayaking trip.
So you may not see a posting from us for a few days until we are again on the move and have something exciting to report.
On to Glenallen. This again, is a beautiful drive, especially since the clouds cleared away giving us breath-taking views
of Gunsight Mountain to the west and snow-covered Mount Sanford, Mount Drum Mount Wrangell, and Mount Blackburn to the east. Along the way we passed many disabled participants involved in a marathon around Alaska. After a quick visit to Glennallen’s Visitor’s Center we headed down the Richardson Highway toward Valdez. We traveled along the edge of the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve which we’ll go into a bit on our way out. We parked for the night at a wayside suggested by a fellow RV blogger. We were able to back into an opening in the scrubs, out of the way and with nice views once again.The weather here is nice, but over the mountain in Valdez they are having rain which is to clear up in the next day or two. Therefore, we’ve decided to hang out here getting work done and taking a break from being tourists for a couple of days until the weather clears in Valdez. We want good weather as we hope to take a Columbia Glacier boat tour, and perhaps a kayaking trip.
So you may not see a posting from us for a few days until we are again on the move and have something exciting to report.
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