In spite of low clouds rolling over the mountains the view was just amazing and beautiful. After breakfast we set out for sightseeing; waterfalls, downtown Valdez, Salmon Hatchery, Ferry terminal and cemetery.
We checked out one roadside attraction: Whispering Giant - Indian Head. It is on Pioneer Drive, not too far from downtown Valdez. It was in 1981 that Peter "Wolf" Toth carved this sitka spruce trunk into a 25 ft.
tall Indian representing area tribes.
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| Ferry Terminal |
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| View of the mountains as seen from the dock at Ferry Terminal |
Downtown Valdez was interesting, not so big, but has some cool stores/shops. Across the stores/shops is the boat harbor.
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| Food Truck |
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| Again, there were plenty of wild rabbits in the town |
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| The boat harbor |
There is an old townsite in Valdez east of present Valdez. There are no buildings left, just the interpretive signs showing what building was on each site.
On March 27, 1964 the 9.2 earthquake hit Alaska, killing over 130 people. Thirty three Valdez residents were among the dead. The earthquake was the second most powerful in the world. Because the old townsite was found to be unstable the town was moved to present Valdez.
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| View of the mountains and Port Valdez from the old townsite |
We visited Valdez Memorial Cemetery which is located about 3 miles from Valdez along the Richardson Highway.
Bridal Veil Falls
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| Horsetail Falls |
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| The remains of the original road cut out of the rock that was wide enough for two horses |
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| The tunnel was hand cut into solid rock Nine companies were fighting to take advantage of the short route from the coast to the copper mines at Kennecott. Because of the feud the progress was never finished (interpretive sign) |
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| A look inside the tunnel |
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| Erwin checking to see how cold the water was |
There was an ice cream social for the Newmar caravan members. It was held inside one of the maintenance shops at Eagle's Rest RV Park.
~~Edith
