WRAPPING UP OUR ALASKAN ADVENTURE:
We awake in Valdez. Our campsite is right in town and we’re again surrounded by snow-capped mountains, but this campground doesn’t have the
personality of those we became accustomed to on the beach at Homer and Seward. This campground is convenient, though, since we’re only a few blocks from the Ferry terminal.
This morning is our first use of the Alaskan Marine Highway System. We’ll take the ferry from Valdez to Whittier, where we’ll be back on ground we’ve covered before. Today, we return the motorhome in Anchorage and stay in a hotel before flying to Washington State tomorrow morning.
The ferry system in Alaska makes travel convenient in an area where crossing the water can save days of driving. Valdez only has two exits – one via ferry, and the other going back the way we came on the Richardson Highway.
We pass kayaks and boats in the harbor on our way to the ferry.
This morning is our first use of the Alaskan Marine Highway System. We’ll take the ferry from Valdez to Whittier, where we’ll be back on ground we’ve covered before. Today, we return the motorhome in Anchorage and stay in a hotel before flying to Washington State tomorrow morning.
The ferry system in Alaska makes travel convenient in an area where crossing the water can save days of driving. Valdez only has two exits – one via ferry, and the other going back the way we came on the Richardson Highway.
We pass kayaks and boats in the harbor on our way to the ferry.
Departing from the ferry terminal gives us a nice look at the mountain backdrop framing Valdez.
The ferry is comfortable, with a restaurant, comfortable booths and nicely padded chairs next to big windows, and plenty of deck space for watching the scenery. There’s no comparison to our experience on various small ship cruises, but this is a practical and fun way to travel. We see fishing boats, glaciers and mountains as we make our way toward Whittier.
We arrive in Whittier just in time to drive through the tunnel and head toward Anchorage, appreciating the familiar scenery, knowing that it’s our last day. The motorhome return goes smoothly, and A & M Motorhome Rental goes the extra mile in delivering us directly to our hotel. As we settle into the Holiday Inn Express room, I note that the bathroom is bigger than the ‘bedroom’ area of the motorhome. We’ve loved the motorhome travel, but will truly appreciate the king bed, TV with remote, and full shower in this room.
As we relax tonight, we reflect on our time in Alaska. It’s been a traveller's and photographer’s dream -- great weather, blue skies with fluffy and sometimes awesome clouds, mountains, rivers, meadows, majestic rock formations, waterfalls, ocean, wildlife, flowers, people with character, PLUS 20 hours of daylight, with 2-4 hours of ‘magic hour’ lighting because of the slow sunrises and sunsets.
We review the route we’ve taken and already begin to fondly remember our time here. This is not a place to be crossed off of our bucket list, but a place to be added for a return trip.
As we relax tonight, we reflect on our time in Alaska. It’s been a traveller's and photographer’s dream -- great weather, blue skies with fluffy and sometimes awesome clouds, mountains, rivers, meadows, majestic rock formations, waterfalls, ocean, wildlife, flowers, people with character, PLUS 20 hours of daylight, with 2-4 hours of ‘magic hour’ lighting because of the slow sunrises and sunsets.
We review the route we’ve taken and already begin to fondly remember our time here. This is not a place to be crossed off of our bucket list, but a place to be added for a return trip.
