TUESDAY, AUGUST 6

TUESDAY, AUGUST 6:

     Left Valdez about 10:00.  Skies were pretty much as they’d been for the past 2 or 3 days – mostly cloudy.  By the time we got an hour or so up the Richardson Hwy, more and more sun and blue sky.  Turned into a really pretty day as we made our way inland.  The Richardson is a beautiful  highway, recognized as one of Alaska’s most scenic.  Mountains, glaciers, and waterfalls abound.

 

As we came close to the Copper River valley, our beloved Wrangell-St. Elias Park snow-covered peaks came into view.  We just had to stop for one more look. 

 

 

      Then turned west on the Glenn Highway; passed by Northern Nights RV Park (the one we stayed at there).  Stopped at the IGA store to get some lunch.  Ate out on the picnic table, with views of the mountains.   Perfect picnic lunch.   Then continued down the road. 

 

 

 We passed by our  Matanuska Glacier.  

 

 The Glenn is another scenic byway with some gorgeous views.

 

 

We passed scores of areas  along the roadside where the fireweed was thick.  It’s losing its vibrancy now.  But it gave us a splendid show for many weeks.  We’ll always associate that  brilliant magenta flower with summer in Alaska.

 

  A beautiful day’s drive - over 250 miles.  Only thing that marred is that now Bill caught my cold and wasn’t feeling good.  He was worn out by the time we got to Palmer.   Had quick leftovers for dinner, and I insisted that he drink some hot lemon water, since he hates tea.  I hope he feels a lot better in the morning. 

     We plan to make Palmer our base of operations for this area, including most of the things we want to see and do around Anchorage, about 40 miles away.  I don’t think there are any decent RV parks in Anchorage proper, and we wouldn’t want to drive the rig through the city anyway.  This is a very nice place, outside of town, with fantastic views of the nearby mountains.  Not sure how long we’ll stay here.