Valdez

Thought maybe we made a mistake to come down to Valdez as the drive was a boring, barren drive UNTIL we hit the Worthington Gacier.  It was huge.  Then we drove down and hit the Thompson Pass (2683ft).  It is not very high above sea level, but what scenery God provided us with.  Words cannot describe it and the pictures do not do it justice.   Saw the Alaska pipeline and it does terminate here in Valdez.  Here are a few facts about Valdez that are amazing:  1.  Prince William Sound is surrounded by the Chugach Mountains, the tallest coastal mountains in North America, rising from sea level to an elevation of 7000' ande is the most heavily glaciated mountains in the Northeast.  2.  The average rainfall is 64" and the average snowfall just in Valdez is 325".  3.  The average snowfall in Thompson Pass is anywhere from 600 to 900 inches of snow. How's that for facts?!  We saw snow that was 3 feet thick by the road that was not anywhere thawed. The picture at the right shows the poles that mark the edge of the road - they must be at least 15 - 18' high.   Apparantly the salmon are beginning to run here and we will go to see them swim upstream from the sound tomorrow morning.  Oh,  we almost ran out of gas because there were no stations along the road.  Had to empty one of our emergency gas cans that we carry just to get us into Valdez.  Tomorrow we head to Tok and then to Haines.  Love ya'll and will keep you posted.  Glad GJ95 is home safe and sound.