Valdez, AK Day 3 & 4

Wednesday, August 2, 2017 - Day 3

Today's forecast is for rain all day.  It is extremely foggy so we don't have much planned.  I do plan to do laundry.

Starting today is Gold Rush Days here in Valdez. It runs from Aug 2 - 6. I did go out this afternoon and go on a ride in the Hoosegow touring some of the historic homes in Valdez.  It was informative and entertaining!

These are the Can-Can Girls and the Hoosegow. 

On my walk home, I passed a pond and saw this mother duck with her one baby. No telling what happened to the rest. Usually there is more than one baby.
      These were the highlights of day 3.

Thursday, August 3, 2017
Today started out very foggy again with a forecast of rain most of the day.  About noon we decided to go to a couple of the town museums. Good thing to do in the rain.

If you haven't read my previous post on Old Town Valdez, I will tell you that on Good Friday, March 27, 1964, a M9.2 earthquake hit 45 miles from Valdez resulting in tsunamis that destroyed most of the town. This museum had 8 cases of models of the old town layout. Pictures were difficult to take of these.

 This Ford fire engine was part of Old Town's history.

Next we headed to the other museum full of history about about both Old Town and New Town.

 This Fresnel lens was atop the Cape Hinchinbrook Lighthouse.  Read below about the lens

 Beautifully restored steam engine fire truck!

 These are an example of skis used on the first bush planes. Bush planes were used to fly supplies and stampeders to remote area. Bob Reeve and Owen Meals were 2 of the more outstanding pilots in the 1920's.

 It's amazing to me the technology of the 1920's and 1930's.

The bar that housed this beautiful wooden bar was lost in the earthquake. It's incredible that the bar was not destroyed.

 There's a story about North Pacific Fur Fish.  Check it out below.

 These are grass socks used by the natives. They were worn inside their fur boots.

Flowers of all types are blooming all over the place here.  Tic got this beautiful flower picture for me today.

This evening, as part of Gold Rush Days, there is going to be a talent show. We plan to attend that.

 This was our opening act.  I would guess the oldest girl was probably about 8 years old. 

 Elvis even made a showing.

These were all the talent acts. The guy in the plaid shirt won the competition. He was our favorite also. Fun evening.