Valdez

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Friday, left Tok to head for Valdez, home of two disastrous events that both happened on Good Friday in two different years:
the earthquake registering 9.2 on the Richter scale lasting over 4 minutes struck March 27, 1964,
the oil spill, worst in North American history (until last year in the Gulf), spilling more than 11 million gallons of oil into Prince William Sound occurred March 24, 1989.

Our original plans did not include coming to Valdez, but we are so glad we did. The pipeline is visible at places along the route southward, but really quite inconspicuous. The port and pipeline terminus are about 10 miles from downtown Valdez, so the town is still charming. After the earthquake, the old town of Valdez was condemned as it was built on unstable ground. So, a new town was built about 4 miles away. City planners were able to lay out a very organized city.

Upon arrival, Jim and I decided to walk the town, get some local flavor and eat at a local restaurant. We chose The Fat Mermaid; something about that name just called out to us!!! The restaurant’s specialty was gourmet pizzas. Some were really funky, and the chef had come up with some great names, such as:
A Bit O’ the Irish: Fromagia sauce, corned beef, sauerkraut, potatoes and cheese
Sac Le Bleu!: Carmelized Onions & Blue Cheese with Bacon, Walnuts & Pears
Shudabean a Bagel: Cream Cheese, Smoked salmon, Red onion, Capers, Lemon Zest
Take’em to Da Greek: Olive oil, feta, tomato, black olives, peppers, onions, Parmesan

As we looked over the menu, I decided to step back into another part of the restaurant to check out the specials. At a table right beside the board sat a group who had obviously finished their dinner and had several pieces of pizza left on their two pizza trays. I asked if one of them one the salmon pizza. It was and they insisted I try a piece of it. Wary, I asked if they’d just cut off a tip for me to try. Nope, they’d have it no another way but I take a whole piece back to the table. You should have seen Jim’s face when I came back to our table, toting this piece of salmon pizza. He wouldn’t try it, but it was very good! Reread the ingredients just to check me out!

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Comments

[ricelin(undirect)]

Valdez
Hey, It seems so beautiful and I believe it will a good experience to have a trip in Valdez!

[Chuck & Cissy King]

Beautiful pics.
Linda and Jim...the pics are breathtaking. Chuck says that Alaska is something to see. I would love to go sometime. Not too much going on in Kentucky. The weather is rather sticky. We will heading back to OBA on the 21st. We miss you guys. Be safe and continue sending us beautiful photos. Love you guys, Cissy & Chuck