Valdez & Seward - July 1st - 5th


July 1
Around Valdez (Part of Prince William Sound)
We took a riding tour of Front street and ate the seafood sampler ($68 for Halibut, shrimp, salmon dip, calamari, and fries) on the patio at the Fat Mermaid.  We also took care of grocery shopping, going to the local hardware store, and automotive center (flat tire repair kit – screw in the Jeep tire – fixed).








We also checked out the Alaska Marine Highway Ferry.  To ferry the RV, Jeep, and two people to Homer  it was about $619 – definitely cheaper to drive but thought it might be a neat experience, but it wasn’t an option, the first available ferry was the first week of August – so book early if you are thinking about using the ferry system.

July 2
After not being able to experience Thomspon Pass and Keystone Canyon in the sunlight we took the a ride to capture the mountains and waterfalls, Bridal Veil and Horse Tail along the Lowe River. We also took some Theta 360 camera video.  Along with the view it was also a great day to eagle (and bunny – and they were bigger than our cats) watch.  
We also stopped the Solomon Falls Seafood company to pick up some fresh shrimp and salmon (smoked teriyaki and cracked black pepper). www.solomonfalls.com

Heading to Thompson Pass

Horse Tail Falls in Keystone Canyon 

Glacier view along the Richardson Highway

Blueberry Lake - with campground 

Views of Thompson Pass

Views of Worthington Glacier Recreation 

Bridal Veils Falls - Three waterfalls in Keystone Canyon

Eagle watching at the campground in town
July 3 
Travel day to Seward
As we made our way out of Valdez we saw the southern end of the Trans-Alaska oil pipeline.
Trans-Alaska oil pipeline

We traveled this road in 2009 and decided it must have been cloudy because the views on Highway 4 (Wrangell-St. Elias National Park with some mountains at 16,000 feet) toward the Glennallen Highway and the Matanuska Glacier were stunning.  The Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is six times larger than Yellowstone and includes 9 of the 16 highest peaks in the US.
We traveled through Anchorage and down to the Kenai Peninsula.

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park



Near Glacier View, AK

Matanuska Glacier

Seward Highway near Anchorage


July 4
We were able to acquire a camp spot early in the morning at Trail River campground ($18 a night) in the Chugach National Forest.  The spot to reserve is #72, it backs up to the lake and beach but you need to be early to reserve that spot.  While talking with another camper this morning, he told us how he saw a lynx walk through his campsite this morning. We will be keeping the cats close to the RV and not leaving them in their camp chairs without supervision.
Campsite # 71

Thor doesn't seem too concerned about the lynx, ravens, or eagles lurking around the area

Camping along Resurrection Bay in Seward
There was no hope of getting a campsite on Resurrection Bay in Seward because of their July 4th celebration. Apparently they have a mountain marathon where 30,000 spectators view the running of this race at an all day party. The town is normally about 2,000 people but swells to 30,000 for the festivities (parade, street vendors, party). Better planning next time, we were told that it is definitely worth seeing. We did go to Seward in the evening (and experienced the Seward Ale House & Yukon Bar) but the fireworks were the night before at midnight (sunset 11:25pm).  We also checked out camping in the bay, it is $40 a night (water & electric) or $20 for dry camping.

July 5
Today we enjoyed the Kenai Lake beach which was across from our campsite.  Lars practiced taking pictures/videos with the drone.
Drone picture of Kenai lake

Kenai Lake and campsite #71

Cats are enjoying all the new smells of Alaska
Kenai Lake in the morning

Road side pull out to see another angle of Kenai Lake as seen from the Sterling Highway

We have come across many great people and one of them being our local guide, Karl who suggested that we get the Milepost book. He was correct it's a must while traveling in Alaska and western Canada. Thanks!


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Jasper, Lake Louise & Travel Days 22nd - 26th

Image
July 22nd Travel Day to Jasper, Alberta Travel through Dawson Creek which is the 0 mile marker for the Alaskan Highway Scenery from the Yellowhead Highway Grizzlies in Jasper Park - momma and two cubs Stayed in Jasper National Park along the Athabasca River July 23rd Travel down the Icefield Parkway (Highway 93) between Jasper and Lake Louise The weather was gray so we will try again in a few days Stutfield Glacier Columbia Icefield Bow Lake Crowfoot Glacier Herbert Lake July 24th Lake Louise Agnes Tea House hike - Lake Louise under cloud cover Mirror Lake just before the final ascent up to Agnes Tea House The Agnes Tea House trail was a steep climb for tea but definitely worth the view. The 4.5 mile round trip hike was about 1300ft elevation climb that ended at about 7000ft Lake view at the Agnes Tea House View from the Agnes Tea House trail Dinner view from the hotel Social House restaurant July 25t...
Read more

Sturgis Aug 1st - 5th

Image
August 1st Heading to Sturgis 78th Motorcycle Rally (camping in Rapid City, SD) Today after getting to Rapid City we took a ride to the Needles Highway—a National Scenic Byway, it includes 14 miles of sharp turns, low tunnels and impressive granite spires. The road lies within the 73,000 acre  Custer State Park , just 30 miles south of Rapid City.  Cathedral Spires Traveling the Needles Highway from north to south One of four tunnels on the Needles Highway August 2nd Today we took a similar route as yesterday just the opposite way and with friends. So it was Keystone, Iron Mountain, Needles Highway, and Hill City. It's fun to see theses scenic byways from the opposite viewing point. Heading into Keystone, SD  C.C. Gideon tunnel on the Needles Highway Mt. Rushmore in the distance between the trees Riding with friends is always a good time Sightseeing in Custer Park (Needles Highway) Heading to the Hill City to dodge...
Read more

Cascade Mountains - June 15th - 19th

Image
Travel Through Oregon and Washington June 15th - Travel Day Highway 84 heading toward Washington  On the road to Washington through Oregon where the hillsides look like soft velevet June 16th - Yakima, WA Canyon Ride Yakima Canyon ride Views on the ride...dodging raindrops Look a house with a garage for the RV. we could use this. June 17th - Father's Day It was a day of just taking it easy. I can't believe we didn't take a picture and Lou & Laurie's house. Thanks to them for a great weekend. June 18th Snoqualmie Falls, another windshield chip and Howard Miller Steelhead State Park Snoqualmie Pass Another rock chip ready for repair on Wednesday before crossing over the Canadian border Snoqualmie Falls Camp spot 5 at Howard Miller Steelhead State Park and a parking spot for some new biker friends that were passing through  Kitty enjoying camping life Camping along the Skagit River A closer look at...
Read more