Valdez

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We left at our usual time (8am).  Even after getting up at 6:30 am, by the time we have breakfast (cereal) and prepare the interior to travel, dump and hookup RV, it is always the same timeframe.
Our day began by seeing an adult moose very near the RV park.  We knew it was going to be a good day.  The Alaska #1 also named “Glenn Hwy”, heading north east, was a beautiful road.  Challenging, many climbing events as well as steep down grades and sharp “S” curves.  The scary part: many of these did not have guard rails and large drops thankfully on the passenger side.  The beautiful Matanuska Glacier was along the route.
 


Matanuska River



 
notice our travel road in left background


Matanuska Glacier












































our road in background





























Almost the entire ride was within the mountain ranges.  Talkeetna Mountains to the Richardson Hwy.  Then it was the Wrangell Mountains.  And as we reached further south and west, the Chugach Mountains into Valdez.

We did experience another road construction where we needed to wait for a pilot car.  This was first of 4 but only 2 had pilot cars.
















When we reached Alaska #4 or Richardson Hwy, the scenery remained beautiful but the road was AWFUL.  Due to permafrost, the entire 139 miles had to be done at 40 mph or less.  This was very disappointing and discouraging.  Considering the tourism volume and the number of RVs on AK highways, it is a shame that this road is in this condition.   On the other hand, we were glad we were traveling this slowly when a mother moose and baby decided to cross the road just a few feet in front of us.  A great sight, but possibly not that great if travelling at normal highway speeds.

Here is a friend we met during a lunch stop on one of the many road turnouts
 














Here are other shots taken on highway 4 that we enjoyed





























The Worthington Glacier was a nice reprieve from our road woes!
 
 















This is Thompson Pass at 2700 ft.  The views were awesome 360°.  The only problem was caused by the rain that had started a few miles back.
 

















From here, it was a 7.5 mile decent to sea level and Valdez.  Thank goodness for engine braking built in to these Heavy Duty Ford trucks.

 

















Valdez, a city also known as “Land of Waterfalls” due to the 27 feet (yes! feet) of snow yearly.  As melting takes place on all the mountains, many waterfalls form as a result.  We stopped to take pictures of Bridal Veil Waterfall and Horse Tail Waterfall.
Bridal Veil Falls




















Horse Tail Falls


















We arrived at our campground by 3 pm local.  We have a site by the Bay, leading to Prince William Sound.  We still don’t know how long we will be here.  If rain stops and we get to explore town, it will help in making that decision.







Comments

  1. UnknownJune 26, 2016 at 8:27 AM

    Don't forget to fill up your truck with oil in Valdez. 27 feet of snow is a bunch, I wonder what the birth rate is for that town??

    ReplyDelete
  2. OIT and MeJune 26, 2016 at 9:47 AM

    Lol @ drop thankfully on the passenger side. Ha!
    Beautiful waterfall.

    ReplyDelete

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