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Showing posts from June, 2016

Valdez - Day 5

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A few pictures from our walk last night:     This little guy allowed us to get right up to him and never moved.  We were not able classify this bird   When the charters come back each evening (approximately 7 - 7:30 pm), they display their catches for the fishing derby competition.  We don't know who these people are that got in front of our catch ;-) We woke up to another gorgeous day!  Bright blue skies, sunshine, cloudless mountains, ahhhhhh.  We grabbed our coffee and sat outside behind our trailer and watched the world go by.  A perfect setting.     We hiked a short, but beautiful trail, after breakfast.  The trail head was across from the harbor.  We were able to see Valdez glacier from this trail.     We were also “bear aware” and sang most of the way through the trail.  Apparently, that’s one of the strategies you’re supposed to use when hiking.  Bears that may be in the w

Valdez - Day 3 & 4

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Valdez Day 3 We have been enjoying watching the “ship action” since we arrived here.  We didn’t mention this yet, but there is a Coast Guard station here.  There is a consistent presence on the water. We had a fun and interesting experience yesterday.  We got to watch the process of a tug boat coming in and maneuvering a cargo ship back out into the Valdez Bay.  The process took just under 2 hours.   There is ferry transport here, through the Alaska Ferry System.  Here, one can be seen coming to the Valdez Terminal.  The Ferries travel to Whittier and Skagway. They carry passengers as well as their vehicles and RVs/trailers.  It is such a busy route that we discovered that they are booked through August!  Hmmmm, could it be that folks want to avoid some of the dreaded roads?!   Day 4 We woke up to a beautiful day.  We finally saw blue skies and the clouds lifting from the mountains.  We decided to put our kayaks in, right behind our trai

Valdez – Day 2

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Worked on cleaning or washing our rig today.  Since Toad RV Park in BC, none of the RV parks since then have allowed washing on site.  We tried using pressure wash at a car wash but without soap and a brush with good elbow grease, there was no way to remove the dirt and grime from those four wheeling days. Luckily this park not only allows it, they even encouraged me to do it.  Incidentally, this park is for adults only; in a quiet dead end cove.  No need to tell me twice.  First thing this morning with 58° F outside, it was time.  2.5 hours later, both towing vehicle and trailer got their due.  After a hot shower and lunch, we explored town a bit.  We visited the site of the Old Town ofValdez.  After the Good Friday Earthquake of 1964 that devastated Valdez, the remaining buildings were condemned, destroyed or moved 4 miles further south where it stands today.  The old site has been overrun by grass and weeds.  However, flags and markers now stand where old buildings