Valdez is a small fishing town on the Kenai peninsula and was the place for a few days journey for me. I did not actually stay in the town of Valdez but at a State Recreation Site, SRS, just outside of town on the Tompson pass. In the days I was in Valdez, two I went looking at glaciers and the other I did some adult stuff. The town is a tourist and fishing area that was destroyed when the earthquake happened in the early 60’s. There are plenty of things to do in town if you are staying in town. Not staying in town but at the SRS I did not experience anything in town but the Safeway, and Captain Jack’s. If you are coming into town I suggest that you get all you need before town as groceries are very expensive. Captain Jack’s is the place that I got fuel, did laundry and took a shower. All of these were pricey as well but I guess when you are in a tourist town and a long way from anywhere you have to pay for getting stuff to the area.
Blueberry Lake State Recreation Site – This little campground is about 30 minutes outside of town on the Thompson pass. The drive into town from the campground was easy as it is only 1 road. Driving into town there were a few waterfalls that were worth the time to stop and take photographs. One of the falls is called Bridal Vail and it is the largest of the three in a row but the other two are cool. If the rain had come and melted the snow earlier in the year one of the three falls may not have been flowing but since the rain had not happened and there was plenty of snow allowing the falls to be really cool. My campsite at the campground was next to the lake and it was wonderful. I had to share a picnic table area with another spot since my spot was just like a parking spot but for most of the time I was at the site alone. There were other campers around the circle of the campground but nobody was near me. The recreation site did attract some day people who were fishing or just hanging by the lake enjoying life. I got to see some ducks on the lake the first day and then the AM of day 2 but the rest of the time it was very foggy at the campground. The temperatures were in the 50’s at night and I think that all of the snow helped with the fog. Looking at the top of the mountains around me being snow covered was a site to behold. I would surely stay here again if I was in the Valdez area.
Stan Stephens Glacier and Wildlife Cruises – I took both of the cruises that Stan offers during my time at Valdez. The dock/office is right in town and is easy to find behind the Best Western Hotel. The checking and boarding processes was smooth and easy. Day 1, I went to Mears Glacier, and so did a group of 51 RVers from the lower 48 who were in a group. I got to the office early and was the third person to check in so I walked around town for a bit, I had almost 1.5 hours before boarding. I was in the van doing some stuff and when I exited I saw this group heading to the checking point knowing I was not going to get on quickly. Most of this group were “grey hairs” and it would be what is. I was in line waiting for the boarding to begin and a lady was behind me who was with the group. She decided that she wanted to board with the group in front of me so she just went up and started talking to them and then her partner came to join them. Oh well it was not worth saying something to her since I would have to spend the entire day on a boat with her and if she wanted to get on 30 seconds before me then go ahead. The boat holds something like 153 people and that day we had 103 people. The captain and crew were wonderful! The captain was very knowledgeable about the trip and the area, being a resident of Valdez. This particular journey we were served bagels after about 1.5 hours on the boat. We also got a hot lunch that was chicken on rice, with Alfredo sauce and steamed vegetables and a roll. The food was great and once again the crew was able to serve everyone with ease like a well oiled machine. Marine and other wildlife were seen virtually from the start with bald eagles, and a humpback whale surprised us with popping up within 10 yards of us! It was a quick glimpse of this enormous animal but we stayed in place looking for another breach of the whale, we were to be 100 yards from marine life. We did get to see him a few more times before the boat had to move onward. Orca whales were also seen on the journey and they were fun to watch but we had a long journey to make and off we went towards the glacier. We also encountered puffin, stellar sea lions, otters and seals. The seals and eagles on the glacial ice was very cool. The Mears Glacier is over 200 feet tall and is awesome to see. We did see some calving of the glacier. Day 2, I went to the Columbia Glacier, and this trip’s boarding was easier but I almost missed it as I was jerking around in the van once again. This trip only had 43 people and the boat held about 135 so plenty of space for everyone. We got lunch on our journey which was either vegetarian chill or New England clam chowder. The hot meal was also served with a bagel. The boat had a film crew from Anchorage to document the journey for the company’s marketing. We did see eagles when we first started on our journey and these were in a different location than those of the first day. We stopped to look at the first eagle we found and then after sometime not one but two flew away and we did not even see the second! As we motored onward we came across a nesting pair in their nest so that was some cool viewing. This journey did not have orcas or humpback whales but we did have a group of Dall’s porpoise swim in front of the boat for 15 minutes or so. It was cool to watch but photos of this was difficult to obtain. Like day 1 when we had to go through the Columbia glacier ice field we did not just pass it but had to go into the ice field. Going through day 1 was easy as we just passed by but day 2 it was a much longer journey. Thanks to the captain for making sure we were safe. Both days there was a part of the journey, the end of the glacier before receinding, where the water went from something like 800 feet to 35 feet and it made the water turbulent moving the boat around. The captain’s would say that it feels like they don’t know what they are doing and it was an interesting feel. Columbia glacier is no longer one big glacier but was split into two, East and West. We were able to see both sides and the East side is bigger in height and width of the West side. West side glacier has moved into 3 parts now and one of the 3 is no longer touching the water! The part not touching the water will not breakoff like the other two since the water is not impacting the glacier. It is said that this part will eventually go back to the water when more snow falls on the glacier. Valdez the town gets about 30 feet of snow a year and in the mountains it is much more. If you are in the area of Valdez and have a day to enjoy on the water I suggest one of these two journeys as you should not be disappointed.
Great pics and stories Jason. Thanks for sharing your adventure.
Valdez was beautiful. My friend and I were on the Stan Stephens also. Spoke with you a few times. Great pictures! Thanks for sharing
Melisa, I did enjoy Valdez and the boat. I also enjoy getting comments from people that I met and gave stickers to on my journey. Thanks for the comment and until we meet again.