Paddlin'

Valdez Harbor



Kayaking in Glacier Lake.

Paddling through crunching ice in a panic!
Bob says, "Oh, it doesn't hurt anything." Yeah right!

The Delicious Harbor Cafe




Tuesday, May 24

We had breakfast in our trailer, packed up and went to the visitor center right down the street in Valdez. The lady there was so nice and helpful, giving us maps and suggestions for kayaking. As the tide was low on the mud flats by the harbor, we chose to go on to a glacier lake and paddle out by the glaciers.

We drove to the end of a gravel road and it was a very pretty area, but part of the lake was still frozen. We found out that a lot of bears were in that area, but we never saw one.

The water was a light gray from the silt in the melting glacier. We paddled as far as we could and then crunched through thin ice a little farther. You know Bob, he has to push it, and just like I used to do as Gary's little sister, I follow...well, and maybe whine a little. Anyway, we made it and it was a great and interesting excursion and we were thrilled to have the experience.

When we got back, we met a young couple and their two dogs. The were pharmacists from Anchorage, but originally from Cleveland. We had a nice visit with them and they gave us some great suggestions for the rest of our trip.

We went back into Valdez and got take out from the Harbor Cafe. They had awesome fish tacos and I got a shrimp burrito. (It reminded us of Brad's favorite beach place in San Diego.) We stuffed ourselves and got on the road. About 6 miles out, I realized I didn't have my cell phone. I am so thankful that I realized it before we had gotten much further, but it wasn't fun to have to turn around and go all the way back. Again, Bob was patient, through gritted teeth. They had my phone and were very nice about it and we hit the road again.

We ewwed and ahhed all the way up the highway over the return view of the waterfalls and glaciers. We saw one coyote and that was it for wildlife.

We stopped for gas in Glenallen and got information on a campground 20 miles west. The Wilderness Campground was a mile off the highway in a pine forest on the Tolsona River. It was quiet and private and our view was of woods and a fast flowing little river. The sounds were bubbling water, wind in the pines, and birds. And, there were moose droppings everywhere. I was up and down all night peeking out the window, but no luck.