So as I write this I am sitting in one of Alaskas most beautiful places. Valdez. I am at the Bear Paw RV park here. Which is like every other RV park here a gravel parking lot. But it has good showers but it is right at the harbor so if you are taking a boat cruise or going fishing it's really easy. However the others are mostly just blocks away anyway.
Here are some photos of the scenery all taken from the RV park:
Now Valdez isnt particularly historic the present town dating from 1964 when the original old townsite was destroyed by a Tsunami caused by the Good Friday Earthquake.
But yesterday we watched as ELEVEN Bald Eagles played and circled and flew sometimes only feet above my trailer for almost two hours. It was quite a show.
I highly recommend Valdez for scenery alone but if you are a fisherman or want to view the Columbia Glacier this is the place.
Before getting here we went to Skagway from Whitehorse a nearly as stunning drive as the one to Valdez. And I really love Skagway. Yes it is touristy for sure but it is undeniably historic and fun.
Filled with really good restaurants (be sure to try the Skagway Brewing Pub) and friendly people it's a great place to stay. We drove out to the old city site of Dyea which is worth the drive alone and allows great views down over Skagway.
We are considering coming beck her to possibly work for a season instead of Camp-hosting.
Don't be put off by the 3 to 4 cruise ships that dock and disgorge their contents (people from all over the world) They all leave around 5 to 8 pm which means that you have serenity for dinner. And while there are alot of folks around town and lots of tourist shops Skagway is still in my book well worth a visit.
Another reason to head to Skagway is to escape the Highway Robbery prices of BC and Yukon along the Road. (A six pack of Canada's Budwieser, Molsons was $16 CD, That's $12.48 plus TAX of 15% plus bottle deposit compared to Skagway where a six pack of a good Microbrew was about $7.00.
Leaving Skagway we headed back into the Yukon and for Alaska.
In the 8 days (Not including Skaway) that we were on the Alaska Highway we saw 2 Wolves, 12 Black bears including a Mother and Baby All right beside the road, 6 Stone sheep with young ones and assorted smaller creatures.
From here in Valdez we travel toward Anchorage and will make a couple of stops along the way.
For those worried about the road...dont. It's a waste of time and energy. Its a great road with Diesel and gas in plenty and most of it is as good as most US numbered highways in the lower 48. We encountered only about 5 construction sites along the way with very little delay. But once in AK watch for those frost heaves on the road.
More to come...
The last time I drove this road was 44 years ago and much has changed
Here are some photos of the scenery all taken from the RV park:
Now Valdez isnt particularly historic the present town dating from 1964 when the original old townsite was destroyed by a Tsunami caused by the Good Friday Earthquake.
But yesterday we watched as ELEVEN Bald Eagles played and circled and flew sometimes only feet above my trailer for almost two hours. It was quite a show.
I highly recommend Valdez for scenery alone but if you are a fisherman or want to view the Columbia Glacier this is the place.
Before getting here we went to Skagway from Whitehorse a nearly as stunning drive as the one to Valdez. And I really love Skagway. Yes it is touristy for sure but it is undeniably historic and fun.
Filled with really good restaurants (be sure to try the Skagway Brewing Pub) and friendly people it's a great place to stay. We drove out to the old city site of Dyea which is worth the drive alone and allows great views down over Skagway.
We are considering coming beck her to possibly work for a season instead of Camp-hosting.
Don't be put off by the 3 to 4 cruise ships that dock and disgorge their contents (people from all over the world) They all leave around 5 to 8 pm which means that you have serenity for dinner. And while there are alot of folks around town and lots of tourist shops Skagway is still in my book well worth a visit.
Another reason to head to Skagway is to escape the Highway Robbery prices of BC and Yukon along the Road. (A six pack of Canada's Budwieser, Molsons was $16 CD, That's $12.48 plus TAX of 15% plus bottle deposit compared to Skagway where a six pack of a good Microbrew was about $7.00.
Leaving Skagway we headed back into the Yukon and for Alaska.
In the 8 days (Not including Skaway) that we were on the Alaska Highway we saw 2 Wolves, 12 Black bears including a Mother and Baby All right beside the road, 6 Stone sheep with young ones and assorted smaller creatures.
From here in Valdez we travel toward Anchorage and will make a couple of stops along the way.
For those worried about the road...dont. It's a waste of time and energy. Its a great road with Diesel and gas in plenty and most of it is as good as most US numbered highways in the lower 48. We encountered only about 5 construction sites along the way with very little delay. But once in AK watch for those frost heaves on the road.
More to come...
The last time I drove this road was 44 years ago and much has changed
Here are some additional photos and commentary of places we stayed or visited along the Highway.
One of my favorite Campgrounds of the trip, Strawberry Flats Campground at Muncho Lake:
the Lakeshore at Muncho Lake:
One of the many Black Bears by the side of the road:
Muncho Lake:
One of my favorite Campgrounds of the trip, Strawberry Flats Campground at Muncho Lake:
the Lakeshore at Muncho Lake:
One of the many Black Bears by the side of the road:
Muncho Lake:
