Saturday, July 23, 2016

Driving to Alaska {Valdez}

While camped in Glenallen, we decided to drop the RV and drive out to Valdez for the day. 



The mountains just towered over us.
 (All of the photos from the road were taken thru the sunroof.) 

We found this interesting spot to stop for a quick snack and scramble on snow.


We planned to hike to Washington Glacier, but it was completely snowed in (a few feet deep at the road) and without the proper gear, we would get drenched. The kids enjoyed playing in the snow a bit anyway. A few people had their snow machines out. By the way, up here do NOT call them "snow mobiles"!


And suddenly we were transported to a winter wonderland, a magical place called Thompson Pass!

Of course the pictures don't portray the magnificence of this area.


Daddy and Asher way off in the distance.


These photos make my heart happy. Asher declared this the "best day ever!"




 It was truly one of the most amazing places I've ever been. I'm curious what it looks like without the snow, but the snow is a big part of what I love about it.




Check out the heart-shaped patch of tundra!

Eventually we decided we better press on to Valdez,
 even though I think we could have spent the entire day at the pass.

Port of Valdez- look at that water!




We caught a hoary marmot playing on the rocks next to the dock.

We hiked the Gold Creek trail thru forest to the water. 







We could hear an avalanche and looked up to see it happening (the white triangle partway down the mountain).

Before heading back to Glenallen, we hiked to and overlook to get a bird's eye view of the town.


Waterfalls along the road.

Heading back thru Thompson Pass.

No comments:

Post a Comment