June 22

It rained overnight and the forecast was for mostly rainy today. After breakfast we took a walk to the harbor for cinnamon buns. A couple from Fairbanks has a tiny and very old (1960’s ish) Airstream which they keep near the harbor. It’s converted into a tiny bakery. They make 100 cinnamon buns each day and when they are sold out that’s it for the day. We were advised to be there by 9 am before they ran out. We got ours then headed back to the campground. Marsha has signed up for a nature illustration and watercolor class at Prince William Sound College. Class is Friday evening, All day Saturday, and Sunday morning. I’ve decided to head out on the Lu Lu Belle cruise on Saturday. Once we secured the ticket for me we headed back to the campground.

Plan for today is head up to Keystone Canyon and Thompson Pass and do some photography then check out the museum in town.

Keystone Canyon is a winding narrow canyon heading out of Valdez on the only road out of here. There are numerous waterfalls cascading down the canyon walls but few places to stop. Took a few photos then headed up to the top of the pass. Thompson Pass was socked in with clouds so no photos of the pass today. We turned around and headed back to town.

Bridalveil Falls – Keystone Canyon

Horse Tail Falls – Keystone Canyon

Next we walked to the Valdez Museum which has many artifacts from years past along with a few videos including one of the 1964 earthquake that hit Valdez hard. The strongest recorded earthquake in North America was centered in the village of Valdez. When the quake struck there were many children on the town dock greeting a ship that had just docked. The ship’s kitchen crew always threw fruit and candy to the kids on the dock. While at the end of the dock the quake struck and the entire dock and all the children were sucked into a fault that opened up right there. Bodies were never recovered. Those in the ship and on the dock were lost.

Afterwards we checked out the local natural foods store and a few other places in Valdez then back to the campground. Marsha ate and packed up to head out for her class while I charged batteries and prepared my camera equipment for tomorrow.

Marsha is one of three people in the class and is looking forward to tomorrow.