Homer to Whittier to Valdez (August 3)

In Alaska there are different degrees of beauty when it comes to the scenery.  The ride from Homer to Whittier has to be one of the best! 

 

This were I was really missing my Go Pro.  My oldest son, David, had given me a Go Pro last year as a retirement gift.  I hadn't had a chance to use it until this trip, but it died after one use.  I did call Go Pro, they walked me thru some stuff, eventually telling me the unit needed a 'hard reset' and they have emailed me the process in which to reset the camera.  But thumbs down to Go Pro based on its failure after only one use.

 

Here we pulled over for a bathroom break and a view of one of the many glaciers you will see along this road.

More incredible views...

 

We arrived in at 'The Whittier Tunnel', which is the tunnel you need to go thru to get to Whittier and the ferry, which will take us to Valdez.

Traffic in line waiting to go thru the tunnel...

Here's the entrance to The Whittier Tunnel...

So, the tunnel operates on a choreographed system, whereby trains, trucks, cars, and motorcycles proceed thru to the other side.  Motorcycles go last, because if they catch a tire in the train tracks and 'go down', they don't want the tunnel to get shut down, with a line up of cars and trucks waiting for the bike wreckage to be cleared. 

 

Officially, it is know as The Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel and is the longest highway tunnel in North America, at 2.5 miles.

 

I stole the next 2 pics off the net, as you can not stop in the tunnel, and need to concentrate, as you are riding for 2.5 miles, in-between the rail tracks.  It is only a couple of feet wide between the tracks and you definitely do not want to catch a tire in the tracks... 

This is an accurate view of what you see as you proceed down the tunnel.  The ironic thing is, when you get closer to the end of the tunnel, and you see 'the light at the end of the tunnel'...it actually IS a train!!!  I thought that rather funny as I approached the end.  You then exit the tunnel and when the bikes are clear, the train proceeds...

After we exited the tunnel, it was straight to the ferry, to board, for the trip to Valdez.  Once in, they waste no time closing the ramps.  You need to get your bike tied down ASAP, then they clear the area, and move everyone upstairs.

I had to scramble to make the ferry.  We arrived close to boarding time and I had to remove my Rotopax gas container and reorganize my bags.  We did make it and here's a pic of me after I got the bike all tied down.  It was actually a very smooth ride, didn't really need the tie downs, but better safe than sorry!

Scott's GS and another bike all tied down and secure for the ride.

View after we left Whittier

The cool air felt good.  We had been riding in warmer temps and with our gear on it can get warm.  The open air on the ferry felt great!

I was surprised at how few people were on this ferry.  Maybe 20 or so.  Not sure how they make a profit, unless it's subsidized by the state.

The MV Aurora

I was pretty tired, so went up to the lounge, fell asleep for about 3 hours, and woke to looking out the windows at this...The Fog (wasn't that a horror movie?).  You literally could not see at all beyond the bow of the ship!  Talk about IFR!!!

Then the fog broke and this is what we came out of...

Solid wall of fog...

Coming into Valdez we saw a number of oil tankers heading out of the sound.

Here's the Valdez oil facility.

 

Pulling into Valdez.

Once the door drops, we are out in seconds.

 

We are in Valdez now and this is our route since leaving Scott's, in Idaho.

Once off the ferry, it was off to find a campground.  Alaska is so easy to find a campground.  Those who make reservations for a trip like this are doing it wrong, IMHO.  Making reservations ties you up to a schedule.  Weather can effect your schedule and push you to make unrealistic mileages, which can be dangerous.  Campgrounds are everywhere and cheap.  This one in Valdez, was our most expensive, but it was mostly a nice RV park.  It came in at $15/ea.  Most were $5 ea.

 

Here's Scott about to cook up our 'dogs'.  We had it down to routine.  He cooked the 'dogs' or brats, I cooked the chili.  We could get it ready in less than 5 minutes! 

Finished product...gourmet chili dogs!  And of course a nice Cabernet ;-))

I had to take a pic of this Mercedes outfitted Citation.  Patty says she'll go 'camping' in one of these...