It rained most of the night and looked like it was clearing up as we continued our journey from Tok to Valdez Alaska.
We checked out of Caribou Cabins around 9 and got underway after we paid a visit to their namesake Caribou.
Boomer and Buttons were in a double fenced pen and had the largest racks I have ever seen! Kind of strange to see them held in captivity- especially when our friends in the UP got a visit from the DNR just for putting a ribbon on the deer (buck) hanging around their place to keep him safe. Different rules in the far north/last frontier I suppose!
Didn't take long for the rain to move back in and it continued most of the day. Hard to see animals, although I did see a large moose (cow) in a small break between trees in passing.
Still beautiful scenery, but moody and different with the clouds and inversions.
We took the Tok Cut across to the Richardson Hwy heading into Valdez. We passed Worthington Glacier near Thompson Pass on the way. The rain saved my dad from having to hike to the glacier with me- there was a close parking lot with relatively easy glacier access :)
We passed through Keystone Canyon-viewed an old railroad tunnel that was started and never finished, saw several water falls, including Bridal Veil Falls, and enjoyed the cloud-covered views all around us!
Even with the rain, there was tons of activity in Valdez. We checked the guys in for Halibut Fishing in the morning and had a late lunch at The Fat Mermaid.
We got settled in to the Glacier Hotel since we are here for the next 3 days. We are only a few minute walk from the small harbor boat docks. Valdez is a great walking town, everything is centrally located and easy to walk to!
After the guys got their things together and packed up for the fishing trip tomorrow. I took a drive to the Solomon Fish Hatchery about 10 mins away, hoping to see a bear. Bears tend to hang out there at low tide, it was high tide so there were no bears, but tons of seals and seagulls feasting on the Salmon returning to spawn near the fishery. It was a site to see! So much noise from the seals and activity with the salmon and seagulls. Everyone had a mission and was working so hard!
There is a chance of freezing rain tonight and tomorrow with high of 42, low 34..... cant predict the weather so we will make it work- tomorrow should be interesting!
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