Day 14 (July 11, 2008) Valdez well worth the ride

Good evening,

If any of you took a look at my itinerary, you will see that Valdez was not on it. However, I met a couple of sisters at Mile Zero in Dawson Creek who were going to Valdez and they said that I had better not miss this area since I was so close. Well, that is where I am at tonight.

But first, I left Anchorage at 7:30 and did I mention it was raining! Sorry about sounding like a broken record. I am used to it by now.

As usual the drive was great even though it was raining and then misty. Road construction held us up for about 20 minutes, but it is just a time when you get out of your vehicle and start to visit with everyone and ask where they are from. And with the high cost of gas, I am amazed at all the trailers, 5th wheel and motorhomes on the road.

The real treat though came when I was about 25 miles from Valdez as I was climbing a steep slope to Thompson Pass and it kept getting colder and colder until my temp gage registers around 45 degrees. We were in the clouds on this jaunt. Coming down was just as fun with the tight turns and what more could a biker ask for?

And then Valdez came into view and coupled with the harbor and calmness, well, it was worth the 125 miles out of the way. I tried to get close to the Trans Alaska pipeline terminal but there were all kinds of threatening signs to not go any closer...so I just got a picture from across the harbor.

Seagulls are everywhere and the constant high pitch scream they make. Fish charters and commercial boats are everywhere. I bought 20 pounds of Alaska Salmon (Red) and had it sent home. Fresh catch that day and all for $140.00 Not to bad though. It was $7.00 per pound. Chris, now put it in the freezer and don't eat all of it before we get home!

On this blog I am going to let the photos tell the story. Tomorrow I will make my way to Tok and then to Haines to catch a ferry for Bellingham on Monday.

Somewhere in there I will get a message that our daughter Heidi, will deliver our second grandaughter, Lucy Mae, into this world to join her sister Riley Jo. Until then, have a great day.

Rob

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