Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Valdez. Alaska

 

This morning we left Glennallen headed for Valdez.   The air was thick with wood smoke from one of the forest fires.  As we traveled toward Valdez it started to sprinkle a little.  The rain cleared the smoke out of the air.The drive from Glennallen to Valdez is one of the prettiest in Alaska.  I just wish it had not been so smoky and cloudy.

We stopped for a break near this river.  It was really rushing  down this canyon.      

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We stopped  at the Worthington Glacier and took some pictures.  At the visitor center this magpie  was making a lot of noise, it almost sounded like some one talking. 

 

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Further along we stopped at the Bridal Veil Falls and the Horse Tail Falls for picture taking. 

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After arriving in Valdez we got our rigs set up and then took a ride looking for wild life and salmon.  We found no wild life but lots of salmon.  The US Forestry Service runs a viewing point were salmon are spawning.  These fish die as soon as they are finished spawning. 

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At the fish hatchery there is a fish ladder and thousands of salmon trying to get up it.  I have never seen so many fish.

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In Alaska fireweed grows all over.  The story we have heard many times is that when the blooms reach the top of the fireweed there well be snow in six weeks.  The fireweed in the pictures below, the blooms are almost to the top.  I may have to hurry and leave Alaska.

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