VALDEZ

The drive to Valdez was beautiful. The sun was actually shining. Mountains like this one surround us. We also saw Worthington Glacier, the Alaska Pipeline, Bridal Veil & Horsetail Falls, and crossed over Thompson Pass to the long, steep 7.5 mile downgrade following the summit.

We have not had time to explore yet, I am told however, that we cannot get near where oil is loaded aboard the ships. Saturday we do take a cruise on Prince William Sound. We will be looking again for seals, whales, otters, and puffin and the Columbia Glacier, the largest tidewater glacier in the world. Looking forward to that and hope this weather holds out until then.

Last night we were in Tolsona Wilderness Campground, much like a state park, small sites with water & electric only. What they did share was lots of huge, hungry mosquitoes. Thanks to my buddy Jim, I had the Therma Cell, from Bass Pro Shop, to help me deal with them.

The day before, we spent in Palmer, and I will write more about how that time was spent at a later time. Oh, I won't forget!

We did visit the only domestic musk ox farm in the world and that evening our "Adventure Trek" leader and tail gunners prepared dinner for us. Of course, it was rainy, but we had a shelter to hold our dinner in.

FYI: When we leave Valdez, we go to Tok & Chicken. We, along with a few other couples, are contemplating crossing "Top of the World Highway" to Dawson City. We would drive from there ( in two days ) and rejoin our group at Whitehorse. (You can read about this route online.)

By doing this, we would have the experience, see Dawson City, and do something we all wanted to do that was not a part of this trek. In addition, we would not have to retrace our path from the Canadian border to Destruction Bay, to Whitehorse, which most of us felt was the worst stretch of highway we have ever driven.

We will make the decision in Tok and/or Chicken when we can see what the weather is like. Also, we hope to get an assessment of Top of the World Highway from someone who has just driven it from Dawson City.

The "Alaska" portion of our trip will be over in only five more days. We will try to keep you posted so you will know which route we take. Keep your fingers crossed that it is Top of the World. We would love to miss that other 400 mile stretch. This route is not shorter but we think, lots more fun, and very little further.

ONLY 8% of Americans visit Alaska. 70% of that 8% do it by ocean cruises or flying. That leaves 2-2.5 % who drive and even less who do it by RV. Since we have made the sacrifice to come, we want to do it "our way" and our Trek Leader is fine with whatever we decide.

Happy Trails!