Valdez

And here we are in the epicenter of the 1964 - 9.2 earthquake.  Oh joy!!   What a great feeling to know that you are sleeping on a fault line and who knows when this baby will move again.  Praying not while we're here!!!

This was a very tiny town but very exciting.  It is the end of the 800 mile Alaskan pipeline and where all that oil gets stored before getting shipped out.  You aren't allowed at the very end, but we did see the pipeline coming down the mountain to its end of the line stop.  We stayed in the back parking lot of the Elks Lodge - $10/night, dry camping.  We are all set up for dry camping as we have 8 instead of the standard 4 batteries for the "house".  We have 800watts of solar panels. We have Randy who has tested every outlet and thing that is plugged into those outlets so he goes on an "unplugging" spree and we get our usage down to very minimal.  We still use a few electric items, but 1 at a time to not overwhelm our battery usage.  Microwave for quick 1-2 minute reheats, then unplug.  Toaster for 2 pieces of toast in the morning, then unplug.  TV and satellite at night to catch up on our previously taped programs, then unplug.  You get the idea.  We rarely have to use our generator but will for hot water for showers, dishes, or just to get the batteries up to 100% if parked for a few days.  The engine also helps to charge the batteries so on frequent moving days we are good to go.

Same with the red Salmon or Sockeye Salmon.  They have a fish ladder to let the salmon get up to their spawning grounds and lay their eggs for the next batch of baby salmon (fry).  They count fish and actually extract the eggs so they can repopulate the hatchery and release more salmon for next year, the unnatural way.  There were millions of salmon in the area and so the locals (sea lions and bears) take advantage of it.  We drove the 13 miles to the hatchery 3 times during our 2 day stay and never saw a bear.  Ask a local and they will tell you that the bears are there "all the time".  We must just not be at the right time.  But saw the Sea Lions having a feast and singing their hearts out when they got full.  It was a Sea Lion Quartet. 

Took a boat tour of Columbia Glacier and wildlife sightseeing.  It was amazing and so beautiful to see the ice bergs and all of the sea life that live around this cold, cold place.  Sea otters with their tiny pups were floating on their backs to keep track of the kiddos.  So cute.  The Sea Lions were out sunning themselves and would take an occasional break to go grad a snack in the ocean.  They are very vocal and territorial over their domain.  Then we were able to spot a school of Dall Porpoise.  They are often mistaken for Orca's / Killer Whales as their black and white markings are similar.  Well that's what I thought they were too, bummer - really wanted to see an Orca.  But these guys loved playing in the waves of the boat, so very entertaining!