Valdez... Part One

Fourth of July in Valdez, Alaska

It was still raining when we left the Nebesna Road… and it rained the entire way to Blueberry Lake State Park just north of Valdez.  These lakes are in high tundra, well above tree line.  When we arrived, the mountain, lake, and campground were completely engulfed in heavy clouds.  You could hardly see ten feet in front of the truck.

By morning, the clouds had lifted at least above the mountaintops.  The view of the normally spectacular Keystone Canyon was dampened by misty rain.  We checked into our favorite campground, now the Valdez KOA and, unfortunately for all, discovered a line for the showers.  We rang up Liz and Walter and asked if they would take us stinky and dirty.  They kindly agreed, so we met them for lunch at the Fat Mermaid.

Having never experienced an Independence Day celebration, Liz and Walter wanted to spend the Fourth of July in the U.S.  We couldn’t have picked a better place than Valdez, Alaska.  We awoke to blue skies, lots of sun, and 52 degrees.  The downtown parade began at noon.  It had been a long time since I had been to a small-town-America Fourth of July celebration.  I admit that I got a little misty-eyed when they began with the Star Spangled Banner and presented the Colors.  It was a solid reminder that we are so blessed to be in the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Presentation of the Colors, Valdez, Alaska

 Folks lined the streets as the floats and parade vehicles drove by.  Many participants tossed candy to the onlookers.  Because Morgan’s boot slowed her down, Liz and I joined her to pick up candy.  Liz would shout out, “I’m an Australian… toss me some candy!”  It was extremely effective.  At the end of the parade, Morgan had a haul of candy that would make a seasoned trick-or-treater proud.

 We strolled around the various vendor shops after the parade and watched foot races and the slow bicycle competition.  Morgan even had her picture taken with Uncle Salmon.  The dog at the kissing booth was simply to irresistible to pass by.

Foot race in Valdez, Alaska 

Morgan with Uncle Salmon

Want a kiss?

Morgan wanted to buy a knife in Alaska, so we walked over to a nearby camping store where she found one.  At 3:30 we all went to the canoe jousting competition at Ruth Lake.  What fun! 

Canoe jousting, Valdez, Alaska

That evening we had an old-fashion Fourth of July picnic… grilled hamburgers, pickles, and two kinds of salads.  To top it all off, we made s’ mores… a first for Liz and Walter.  Morgan whittled marshmallow sticks for everyone with her new knife.  All in all, it was a perfect ending to a perfect day.

That night we again said goodbye to Liz and Walter.  They planned to leave Valdez around 5:30 the next morning.  This time we knew it would be for a long while.  They were off to Canada and would turn in their rented rig in Vancouver in mid-July… around the same time that Morgan would be flying home.  Perhaps we would see them again if they made it to Texas in late August.  We had become fast friends… we know we will miss them greatly.  At least we felt we had given them the perfect sendoff.

Happy Fourth of July, dear friends!  Hope you had as much fun as we did...