7/8/2014

We are at it again early.  Today we will drive 225 miles from Tok to Valdez.  The roads are a great improvement over the Top of the World & Taylor Highways, but still not what we in the lower 48 have come to accept as adequate.  There are patches, lots of dips, and of course, lots of construction going on repairing what last winter did to the roads.  Road repair is a full time job during the summers and something everyone must deal with up here.  We get on the road before 8 with a full fuel tank and empty holding tanks.

The scenery is once again spectacular as we move south.  I am convinced there is probably no part of this state that would be considered bleak, but we have not seen the vast majority of it yet either.  We made several stops for photo ops, and even find moose tracks close to our camper.  We look around for the moose with no luck, so we had some breakfast.  Beautiful spot!  We move on and come across another traveler in our group with a flat tire, so I help him get it changed.  We discover that he has broken some suspension parts, so we call for some help, which turned into a very challenging proposition.  A cell signal booster supplied by another part of our group proves to be very handy...thanks Mike & Judy.

We decided 10 people weren't necessary to wait for the help to arrive, so we moved on.  The last 74 miles into Valdez turned into the most scenic portion we have encountered so far.  Rushing rivers, beautiful snow capped mountains, sharp upgrades and long descents, beautiful waterfalls, and tunnels & deep ravines greeted us the rest of the way.  What a magical section.  Then at the end is the city of Valdez on the shore of Prince William Sound.  We have a major waterfall directly behind our campground.  We both can't imagine how it could be any more beautiful, but we remind each other we still have over 1/2 of our trip to go.

We get settled into our campsite and go to the store...a special supper is in order, so we pick up some steaks for the grill and share dinner with our next door neighbors...what a location to have a picnic...sheese!
I have a hard time going to bed, simply didn't want to close my eyes, afraid the beautiful scenery would disappear.  I finally went to bed about 1130...it was still light out.  And our Wi-Fi still was awful.

Steve & Barb Larson

On the way up to Thompson Pass

Too much beauty for 1 camera

Bridal Veil Falls

Horse Tail Falls

On the way down from Thompson Pass

Our rig is doing just fine in these mountains

Barb can't take enough pictures...it is beautiful!