Wrangell-St. Elias National park, June 20

What a surprise!  We left our campground this morning and drove a few miles and saw the park sign and we are so happy we stopped.  Incredible! Number and scale loom large here, magnified by splendid location.  The largest U.S. National park, it equals 6 Yellowstones, with peaks upon peaks, glaciers upon glaciers. At over 9.6 million acres, the parks designated wilderness represents nearly 10% of the entire National Wilderness Preservation System. Mt. Sanford and several other peaks can be seen from the highway. Vegetation is scarce, but the park is home to wildlife such as moose, bears, Dali sheep and other critters.  Many species of birds as well as swan nest here.  Many rivers, streams and rivers make it an ideal spawning ground for salmon.  We couldn't possibly see it all but we visited the museum and talked to a Ranger that taught us a lot about the park.  
After leaving the park we headed to Valdez.  It was a beautiful drive!  It seems that at every turn we saw another amazing spectacular vision.  We saw more glaciers and beautiful waterfalls.  We could not believe it!  Our senses were absolutely overflowing!  No pictures, no words can describe the beauty we witnessed.  I am sure there is a lot more to come.  When we got settled at camp, we explored the town of Valdez.  It is the activity center for Prince William Sound.  The growth and settlement of Valdez can be attributed to fur trading, salmon canning and gold and copper mining.  Valdez's Prince William Sound is a premier fishing destination, offering all species of salmon and halibut.  Valdez is home to the oldest fish derbies in Alaska, awarding thousands of dollars in prize money each year.  There is so much here.  More tomorrow.


Valdez, June 21
 
Where do I start?  First of all, we weren't sure whether we wanted to take a cruise to the glaciers but we said what the heck!  We want to experience everything so we booked a full day cruise.  It was absolutely the best time of our trip, and maybe our travels to date.  Does that sound crazy?  Since everything we do is the highlight of our trip.  Excitement is a mild word to describe.  I would say more like ecstatic.  Or more like orgasmic.  But high fun it definitely was!  We met our bus and while standing in line we met the neatest couple.  Terry and Carol.  We buddied with them all day.  We cruised Prince William Sound and saw many beautiful mountains and glaciers.  On the way we saw dozens of Sea Otters swimming and sunning themselves.  Then we saw an Orca Whale and her cub feeding or was that a Humpback?  We saw both in all of their glory.  That was so exciting!  There is nothing like witnessing whales and other sea life in their own natural habitat.  Then the best part came with Meares Glacier. This was like nothing we have ever seen.  It is a huge wall of ice bordering the Chugach Mountains.  While we were there it calved several times.  Each time it sounded like a thunder storm when the ice fell into the water.  Then the waves it made!  You can only imagine!  We have seen glaciers on our trip, but this was a GLACIER!  We got up so close we could see the crevices, holes and every little curve.  It was beautiful.  This was another breathtaking moment.  We stayed there for at least an hour.  Wow!!!!!!  We left this miraculous natural phenomenon and cruised upon sea lions.  Hundreds of them!!!  They were next to our boat diving in the water, playing and showing off for us.  Darling little sweethearts!  We saw more Otters, Puffins, Seals and other amazing birds.  Since Valdez is the end of the Alaskan Pipeline, the ship's captain talked about that.  Well, what do you think of our day so far?  It is not over yet!  When we got home we stopped for a sandwich and we drove over to the Fish Hatchery because someone told us that if you go in the evening you may see bears.  So we drove out there around 8:30 and just as we drove up to the hatchery we saw a group of people huddled together watching something.  I ran out of the car with camera in hand and meandering across the street was a young bear with a salmon in his mouth.  Oh my dear God!  Was I ever excited!  I got his picture with his fish and was he ever sweet!  Then we observed the salmon swimming to their spawning area.  That was cool!  This was quite a day!  A day we will never forget!  Thank you God!