March 6-9; April 8-9; April 16-19
Well, I have learned a lot about getting to and from Valdez. On trip 1, I was able to fly from Juneau to Anchorage then catch the ERA Airline flight to Valdez. However, once there the snow got heavy and on the afternoon I was to fly out, the flights could not make it into Valdez and hence there was no plane to fly home on! I tried to book for Saturday, but because it was the first day of spring break, all the seats were full and I could not get on a plane until Monday. I have to say I was a bit bummed, mostly because I wanted to get home and prepare to fly back to ANC on Monday.
Thankfully a school board member was stuck in ANC and her husband/2 daughters and dog were driving up to ANC on Saturday and offered me to ride with them! What a nice offer. So, at 6 a.m. I was in a suburban with Chris (dad) Kate ( who drove part of the way with her learning permit) and Grace my new friend who is in 5th grade. “Bean” the dog was also a delight during the ride.
It is 300 miles though some beautiful terrain, AND some curvy tight roads. I tried to enjoy it as much as I could and again felt blessed to be dropped off at the airport in plenty of time to catch the flight home to JNU, arriving home about 7 pm.
entering the facility
if I had toured the plant I would have worn this, but it was a quick visit
inside the front door
While I was in Valdez I did get to go the Valdez Alyeska Marine Terminal where the southern end of the pipeline ends. You have to show ID and be pre approved to visit, much like going on a base. I did a meeting there with staff, and it was fun to visit the end of the pipeline! 
TRIP 2
After spending the weekend in ANC so that I could attend the inspirational Spirit of Youth http://www.spiritofyouth.org/ banquet on Saturday night, I was scheduled to fly on ERA air leaving ANC at 7:15 a.m. Though the weather in ANC was beautiful, Valdez was not as lucky. It was socked in and by 8:05 a.m. the flight was canceled. Since I HAD to get there, I announced to 3 women who were also trying to get there, that I was going to rent a car and leaving; if they wanted to ride w/ me they were welcome to… all 3 joined me for the 6 hour adventure.
There we times I could barely see the road in front of me. From Palmer to Glenallen there were whiteouts most of the way. However, once we headed S, through Thompson Pass it was beautiful. We rolled into Valdez about 2:30 and my meeting started at 2:45 and I finished at 12:20 a.m.!!! LONG DAY.
yep gas is expensive but it was worth it!
I then had to turn around and drive back to ANC on Tuesday… the roads through Thompson Pass were terrible, but unlike the day before, from Glenallen to Anchorage were perfect, just narrow and curvy! The roads were crowded because the Arctic Man event was that weekend. http://www.arcticman.com/
leaving Valdez headed N towards the pass
Bridal Falls
Bridal Falls, you can see how cloudy and dingy of a day it was.
Headed towards Thompson Pass
this is as I am getting to the summit, it continued to get worse.
visibility at the summit was almost NONE
visitor center in Glenallen
I am not joking, it was almost a total white out.
Highlights of the drive include views of the Largest National Park, Wrangell-St. Elias. This connects with Canada’s Kluani National Park and together are designated by the United Nations as a World Heritage Site due to its unique beauty and natural splendor. Wrangell-St. Elias is 13.2 Million acres and the size of 6 Yellowstones. It is full of rugged mountains, glaciers, rivers and valleys. There are all kinds of wildlife including moose, bear, Dall sheep, and mountain goats. 
Trip 3
FINALLY I was able to fly both ways! The weather in Valdez was beautiful, as the pictures show. It was just breathtaking. The sun was out, the sky was blue and the days were packed full of work!
timistravels 
Wow, Timi! You proudly carry on the adventurous spirit of your mom and Aunts Linda and Diane–not to mention Grandma Betty! You ladies ain’t scared! Beautiful and awe inspiring sights. Thank you for the great account.
LikeLike