Matanuska Glacier and Valdez

July 16. Visited the Glacier and decided, since it was a beautiful sunny day, to camp at the adjoining rec site. We were able to cook out and really enjoyed actual camping without rain or wind.             July 17. Now at Allison Point in Valdez. Right on the water and a beautiful and sunny day. Along the way here, we stopped at several places for pictures. Cute picture of a squirrel at a rest area- not a rare creature, but cute! We stopped at Tolsona Lake where Duke jumped in with his unit in 1961. A good memory for him. It was January then! Also went to Wrangell- St. Elias visitor center, got a passport stamp and a pic of a fish wheel. Pictures at Worthington Glacier, Bridal and Horsetail Falls. Saw eagles along the way- one across from our campsite. A man from Texas stopped to say hello. He lives in El Paso and retired military.                                                                                                            July 18. Otters behind our trailer this morning. Another great day. Had a picnic at a pavilion overlooking the boat docks. We drove to a very scenic rec. site- Blueberry State and will camp there a couple of days after Allison Point. We then stopped at the old railroad tunnel site in Keystone Canyon for pictures and a short walk in to it. The tunnel was never completed due to differences of opinion and a follow up gun battle. Visited Valdez Glacier campground where we  were before and then back to take pictures of the receding glacier. Drove out to Robe Lake where there was a small rec. area and a private float plane dock. Also, took a picture of an unusual (to us) dredge like machine with paddle wheels. Stopped briefly at the Horse and Trail site of 1945. Back towards camp we saw harbor seals, sea lions and many, many salmon coming into the hatchery. Saw many eagles today also.                                                                                                                                                       July 19. Our Escapes 1 year birthday! Beautiful day- the warmest yet. We visited the Crooked Creek Science Center and got pictures. Saw the huge Indian wood carving  by Peter Toth and the bear at the college which is by the same artist. Toured the Maxine and Jesse Whitney Museum and the Valdez Historical Museum. Also went to the Original Valdez Site where the whole town was prior to the 1964 earthquake. A nice day to sit out and watch the boats and otters in the water.