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Blueberry Lake Rec Site to Valdez, AK
25 August 2010 - Wednesday
Sure can't complain about the incredible views around us this morning. Amazing!
Heard coyotes howling last night too. Tazz was keenly interested in the sound!
Hiked for about 90 minutes before heading out. I think we found the old road down the mountain, accessed from an area near the old part of the campground. Very interesting poking around!
On the campground road - Tazz is on duty and thinks something is
suspicious
A short drive today, just into Valdez. Soon after pulling out of the campground there is a great view of Blueberry Lake from the highway on the hairpin turn.
Blueberry Lake and mountains
The descent is long and steep. The poles along the highway are to guide the snow clearing crews in winter.
Descending towards Valdez from the Thompson Pass
There are a couple of waterfalls alongside the highway, through Keystone Canyon.
Bridal Veil Falls near Valdez, with the truck parked on the widened
shoulder
Horsetail Falls
Then onto the tidal flats near Valdez.
I had read a lot about the dry camping available out on the Terminal Access Road at Allison Point so we headed out to take a look.
On the road to Allison Point
Combat camping in crowded quarters was not our idea of fun so we turned around at the dead end and headed back towards the highway.
It was salmon-run time!
At one of the creek
crossings, the dead fish & seagulls were everywhere!
Seagull facing a tough decision
There was also a black bear, quite a ways from the highway. The zoom lens was working hard to get this shot!
Black bear indulging at the salmon run
The collection of dead fish was very intriguing. I took numerous shots.
One live fish amongst the dead still working to get upstream
At this point, the salmon stopped and seemed willing to join the
others
ICK!
Okay, to each their own!
Still not sure where we would camp, we headed out towards the Glacier Campground and the Valdez Glacier.
At the glacier, there was a kayak tour heading out. We thought about unloading the kayaks but figured it really wasn't all that interesting. The glacier was quite a ways back and not too visible.
Kayakers heading out on the lake and around the ice at the base of
the Valdez Glacier
The lake and steam are a murky colour.
Lake & mountains at the Valdez Glacier parking area
Looking the other way was more interesting
On the way back towards the highway we heard gunshots. What? Sure enough, there was a fellow with a pistol standing beside the road, just ten feet away. Apparently this was a firing range, but why did he have to practise right beside the road?
Soon after was the road into the Glacier Municipal Campground. The campground wasn't too bad, but didn't pique our interest especially with the firing range so close. There were many full-time residents -- the campground has some sites with services.
So time to carry on, again. Past the Valdez Airport. I thought the sign below amusing. Wondered what it would be like to stay at a "mancamp". Made me think of Red Green, a popular Canadian TV show. Maybe men don't mind sleeping in stacked ATCO trailers whereas women are fussier ... dunno.
Look closely to see the old room rates under the new price!
So we figured we had better get serious about finding a spot to overnight, or plan to head back to Blueberry Lakes. Valdez was very busy and the campgrounds were almost fully booked. As well, the campgrounds were cramped, crowded, busy and didn't offer a lot in the way of scenery.
Being it was only Wednesday though, we lucked in a dry campspot at Bayside RV Park. The campground owner made it clear that no generators were allowed! The site was available for one night only, which suited us fine. Fortunately our fifth wheel is "small" -- so we were able to fit! And I had a great view from our rear kitchen window.
Dry camping at Bayside RV Park.
Then we took a walk around Valdez. It isn't all that big so walking around town isn't too difficult. The docks were busy with folks there for the salmon.
Dock entrance at Valdez - Do not drag fish on docks or ramps!
Especially if dragging them with your bike!
Valdez harbour
Later in the evening we jumped into the truck to take care of grocery shopping and find some supper. Picked up some fish & chips, headed to the park by the convention center to eat, then drove to the dock by the ferry terminal to see the views.
Clear evening at the Valdez waterfront
When I visited in the mid-1980s there were tours of the Valdez Terminal (think Exxon Valdez). This year, no tours and no getting too close to the facility. So I took a few shots of the tank farm from the Valdez harbour.
Tank farm across Prince William Sound
Valdez was SO busy. People rushing everywhere. If you've read some of my pages, you know this isn't our style of camping.
Groceries were silly-expensive.
- $8 for a small package of sandwich meats that cost $3 at home.
- $6 for a bag of potato chips that cost $3 at home
Try not to buy too many groceries in Valdez!
So we focused on getting the laundry done, scrubbing the humans clean, and getting a good night sleep despite the noise of people, trucks, ATVs and boats coming and going.
Bayside has good facilities -- great laundry room, private showers/bathrooms (but there may be a lineup) and good wi-fi.