TRIP TO VALDEZ

It’s a distance of 364 miles between Fairbanks and Valdez. We usually leave Fairbanks sometime around noon and stop for the evening at Willow Lake, mile 90 of the Richardson Highway. There is a pull off with a very nice view of the Wrangle Mountains. The view from our RV’s dinette window, though seldom as spectacular as seen below, is usually just as stunning. For the traveler looking for over night accommodations, Willow Lake B & B , is highly recommended. http://willowlakebb.com/

In the morning, after breakfast, we continue on to Valdez. It’s a ninety-mile drive, takes us past the Worthington Glacier, and over Thompson Pass (elevation 2805). During the last 20 miles of our trip we visit Bridal Veil and Horse Tail Falls. It’s always refreshing to stop and "taste" the water there.

In Valdez, if we decide not to "dry camp" at Allison Point, across the bay, we stay at Bear Paw RV Park, located across from the Valdez Marina. Bear Paw also has a smaller park on the water edge a couple of blocks from down town. I’ve always considered the smaller park a "Seniors" park, as it’s always a bit quieter. However, the marina Bear Paw is our choice on this trip. We are here to celebrate my birthday. For the occasion, I chartered a day of halibut fishing with Captain Mike McDoneld, Shark Tooth Charters. "WHAT A DAY IT WAS!!"

Not wanting to sound immodest, I cannot reveal the number and size of the one’s I caught, ADFG might be logged on, but if you start at the third fish on right and count left to five…..