Day 51: Kayaking in Valdez

Today was a particularly good day.  After breakfast, we walked over to the kayaking place, were fitted with appropriate clothes and PFD's, and headed out with our guide Webster.  We had opted for the Duck Flats tour which took us around shallow areas near Valdez in the Prince William Sound.  Having mentioned to Webster our interest in birds, he made a point of taking us to places where we could see kittiwakes, terns, gulls, and ducks.  We even saw some pigeon guillemots and some oystercatchers.    Besides the birds, it was just a lovely place to paddle, with great scenery.

Upon our arrival back at the small boats harbor, I mentioned to Webster that we had left our dog in the RV, and he recommended the local dog park.  Ranger loved the opportunity to run after his frisbee after being stuck inside by himself  for more than three hours.

Later in the afternoon, I browsed in some local shops and did some laundry.  Again, with Webster's recommendation, we went out for beer and pizza ...and the pizza was excellent. 

Something about Valdez that I did not know before:  There is the old Valdez and the new.  The old was almost completely destroyed in the 1964 earthquake (measured at 9.2), and rather than rebuild in the same location, a totally new town was built a few miles down the road.  A few of the original houses were picked up and moved, but most of the town is fairly new, in late 60's style.  Residents who moved to the new location were offered lots at $400 each.  The town government was able to plan its layout, and it includes a good number of small parks and green areas, and it has a lovely ferry terminal with lots of flowers as well as a big civic center.  All in all, its one of my favorite Alaska towns that we have visited!  

And as mentioned to brother Jim, this is Bunny-land!  Someone in the past released domestic rabbits, and they have managed to thrive in this cold environment.  The town is full of rabbits, black, gray, tan....they're everywhere.  Most entertaining for Ranger!