Friday, June 18, 2010

Valdez, AK


We have spent four nights in Valdez.  What a surprising place. 

A village of 4,000 people working for the oil and fishing industries.  Glacier covered mountains rise 5 to 6 thousand feet above the village and harbor, when the clouds clear from time to time.
  
They've seen their troubles.  In 1964, a 9.0 earthquake leveled the town.  Twenty five years - more trouble in the form of the oil spill from the Exxon Valdez.

We saw a few museums and the town bakery (twice).

Enjoyed the eagle show at the park





Bruce went out on a kayak trip to the Columbia Glacier ice flow.  Paddled around small to medium size floating pieces of ice under a light rain. 

Saw sea otters

and a variety of birds.  A unique experience.  And cold.

Next day, we took a wildlife cruise on the LuluBelle.  Saw whales,
 dall porpoises,
Click here for slideshow of porpoises surfing the bow wave 
 sea lions, and birds of many feathers.  And sailed among the ice of the same glacier.

Next stop - Anchorage.

Bruce

1 comment:

palamine said...

Bruce - Your poetry is amazing. Never ceases to make me smile.

Please note - When we were in Terrace we met a couple who are right there now, in Valdez. They are two couples actually traveling in Hitchhikers. The couple we wined with are Bob and Glynda Gregg. They don't have SKP stickers on their rigs but watch for them.