Day 11, Sep 9, 2018:
SUMMARY: Morning: Glacier View Park, then short
hike to Worthington Glacier observation platform. Drive on Richardson
and Glenn hwy from Valdez to Anchorage. Midnight flight back to
Houston
This was our plan
This was our plan
We had our breakfast in the hotel at 7
am.
The landlady had been telling the guests she and her son had seen
a grizzly at the fish hatchery yesterday. The guests were asking her
If she had bear spray. She said Her son has a gun But he did not
bring it.
When we asked her about Worthington
Glacier access, she told us about the paved road after Thompson pass.
She said a five year old child had died there because of a rockfall
on July 4th.
We checked out. Strolled in the harbor and
saw a busy beaver
VALDEZ GLACIER LAKE:
We drove to the glacier view park...turned left on the Airport road some 7 miles out of Valdez, driving past the campground, the shooting range and taking the right fork slowly on a gravel road. Reached glacier view park.
We were a little scared of bears. Thankfully a van came in after us, And a group of kayakers got out. They were setting up their stuff in a corner. We walked further on the trail, enjoyed the views and got back to our car.
We retraced our route, then hit Richardson highway again
our good luck with the weather was
continuing. This part of the Chugach Mountains gets clobbered by rain
and snow and wind. Storms come off the North Pacific, run into this
massive coastal range, and dump their loads. The average snowfall at
Thompson pass exceeds 700 inches (the 24-hour record is 90 inches!).
If you look at a map of Alaska, the vast glaciers and ice fields that
line the coast are a testament to this volume of precipitation—most
of which never reaches interior Alaska.
There were signs not to approach the glacier as it's unstable but many were going on. We turned back and resumed our drive. Again AWESOME SCENERY
At Glennalen we took the Glenn highway.
Mt Wrangell was visible for a LONG time in our rear view mirror. There was other STUNNING SCENERY .
Reached Palmer and went toward Anchorage. Plan was to hit Eklutna lake and also Eagle River nature center.
Decided to skip Eklutna. We took the earlier exit for Eagle river, the river rest area was closed. We decided to go straight to the airport. Filled up fuel and reached the airport. Returned the car.
Waited at the airport... enjoyed some nice displays
Said bye to our furry friends...
Went in for Security with an hour to go, they opened our food bag, examined the sandwich and bananas, opened another small bag with just clothes.
A young mother ahead with a 8 month old baby strapped to her had her bag opened and many belongings put on a tray. Another guy just ahead had all his electronics being checked. The line was getting backed up. Should leave enough time for all such stringent screening!
We took our midnight flight back home and are still dreaming of AMAZING ALASKA.
Reached Palmer and went toward Anchorage. Plan was to hit Eklutna lake and also Eagle River nature center.
Decided to skip Eklutna. We took the earlier exit for Eagle river, the river rest area was closed. We decided to go straight to the airport. Filled up fuel and reached the airport. Returned the car.
Waited at the airport... enjoyed some nice displays
Went in for Security with an hour to go, they opened our food bag, examined the sandwich and bananas, opened another small bag with just clothes.
A young mother ahead with a 8 month old baby strapped to her had her bag opened and many belongings put on a tray. Another guy just ahead had all his electronics being checked. The line was getting backed up. Should leave enough time for all such stringent screening!
We took our midnight flight back home and are still dreaming of AMAZING ALASKA.
VIDEO LINKS:
Richardson highway:
Valdez:
The next post is the introduction to the report of our 17 day trip in November 2018 to Gorgeous Greece!
https://adventuretrav.blogspot.com/2018/12/how-to-plan-trip-to-greece-trip-report.html
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