7/30

Travel day today down to Valdez from Glacier View AK. Before we left the area we were able to see more of the Matanuska Glacier which is located in a tribal area. Great vista views of the glacier very near our campsite. We were surprised to see snowed in the mountains overnight near our campground.

The blue of the glacier can be seen at the middle of the picture.

The big scope is out looking at the glacier.

Views from our roadside campground.  It has a nice cafe.

Native fish catching paddle wheel powered by the water flow of the stream. 

Interesting facts: This mountain range includes 9 of the tallest mountains in North America only second in height to Denali, which is the tallest in North America (3rd tallest in the world). The views along the road to Valdez are spectacular. 

We took a short hike up to the base of Worthington Glacier (Wendy may have disregarded a rock slide do not enter sign in the trail)

Snow on the side of the road

Slot canyon into Valdez 

200’ waterfall on the side of the road 

 7/29

Travel day today from Girdwood AK to Grandview Glacier. Misty and rainy day which was ok since we were in the motorhome traveling most of the day. 

Always a good way to start the day is at a bakery with a danish & coffee or sourdough pancakes. Great place The Bake Shop in Girdwood.

Sights along the way including a 2 mile hike to Thunderbird Falls.

View of Grandview Glacier from the road.  

The craziest thing happened when we checked into our campground in Glacier View I saw that Randy an Karin Shaw from Parkton were due to checkin as well at the same campground.We knew they were also traveling to Alaska but were traveling from home. Nice to have a Hereford Zone reunion in AK!

Enjoying the comforts of the Shaw’s huge camper.

The view from our campground.

 7/28

Today we took a float trip on Spencer Glacier lake and river. The trip started with a Alaskan train ride to the remote glacier lake. The outfitters loaded rafts and all the gear on the train. Lots of work on their part. The float trip started on the glacier lake with icebergs floating around us. It was pretty cold to start with the wind blowing about 10 to 15 straight off the glacier. Water temp according to our guide was 33 to 34 degrees. 

We also visited Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. Lots of wildlife to view, Grizzlies, black bear, elk, caribou, reindeer, buffalo, moose, musk ox, wolf, etc.