Silver Salmon Fishing Contest

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August 30th 2013

Published: August 30th 2013

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Linger Longer Lodge II

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Day 32 - Saturday, August 17

The drive from Palmer to Valdez was 260 miles filled with more amazing views. My life list has always included a land tour of Alaska and I have not been disappointed. At every turn there has been breathtaking scenery that we never tire of. Each river, lake, mountain, valley and glacier have their own unique glory. We did have some rain and low clouds, but even with that it adds to the texture and beauty. We saw the Matanuska Glacier and River, along the Richardson Highway were the Wrangell Mountains, and got a picture of the Worthington Glacier along the Thompson Pass. Around one turn was the Bridal Veil Falls on the left and the Horsetail Falls on the right. Astounding.

When we arrived at the Eagle's Rest RV Park we soon found out it was the height of the Silver Salmon Fishing Contest. There were tents and trailers and RV's everywhere. The park was packed. Outside of one set of showers was the table to filet fish, the other was by the laundry mat in the gas station and small store. We went to church that night right up the street, then

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Worthington Glacier

had dinner and drinks with our friends Connie and Jim. We tried out the local drink Northern Lights, and discovered we liked them very much!!

Day 33 - Sunday, August 18

We met the bus at 9am to take an all day boat tour of the Prince William Sound. We saw more sea life and birds headed to the Columbia and Meares Glaciers. It was a beautiful ride and there just are not enough adjectives to give it justice. Just to be able to look at land and water that is pristine and been here virtually untouched for thousands of years is indescribable. We saw the reef that the Exxon Valdez hit in 1989 and saw the "Time Bandit" which is one of the participants in The Deadliest Catch. When these boats are not crabbing, they work for the seafood markets as transports for the boats that are out fishing. This enables the fishermen to continue to fish, instead of having to take their catch into port to offload. We returned around 8pm, exhausted but exhilarated by the ride. Thanks to Marlene our Wagon master who stayed behind to walk Leisel and all the dogs on such a

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Bridal Veil Falls

long day of sight seeing.

Day 34 - Monday, August 19

A free day from planned activities, so we did some catching up around the RV. In the afternoon we went to the Solomon Gulch Hatchery to see the salmon spawning and across the street we saw two bears feasting on the salmon getting ready for winter hibernation. The hatchery was amazing to see how the thousands of salmon came back "home" to where they were born to lay eggs and then die.

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