View Larger MapWe woke early at 05:15 to a light rain in Valdez.
We had a simple breakfast at the B&B that was too simple for the definition of a B&B! We got in line as standby #6 and #7 for the 08:00 ferry to Whittier. Another couple on a rented HD were before us as #5. Because bikes are small compared to cars, we made it on board. The ferry had a few rope lines we used as simple tie downs. We used 2 per bike but on open water those tie downs would not have been enough. It was a fun 5 hour+ ride on calm waters. Another Adventure rider on a Weestrom was also on the trip. He was from NC Deals Gap area. We saw Glaciers, Icebergs, Otter, Porpoise, Salmon, Sea lions, Bald Eagles, and lots of fishing boats.
We also met many interesting people on board. Deckhands who knew the union I was in when I was working boats in Los Angeles Harbor during university, the motorcycle rider on the Weestrom who had traveled all over North America and was in Alaska more than once, etc.
There was a Korean couple on board and I asked the wife how her trip was going. She spoke a lot of English and she made it sound like she was homesick after 4 months away from South Korea. When her husband came back we talked about cool things we had seen and done in Alaska and Canada. He was looking for recommendations of things to see in Canada.
I asked about adventure riding in Korea and he said Korea does not have anyone doing that. I asked about if it would be possible to ride the entire peninsula, but he said riding the south would be easy, but riding the north would be a very big deal to arrange (if even possible). He seemed to know what he was talking about. He said to please come to South Korea to visit and ride and see the sights. He gave me his name, Home and e-mail addresses, and phone #s and said to contact him before or when we come. I also gave him my info for when he comes to California. His name was Duck Soo Han. He never told me, but I realized that he was the past Prime Minister of South Korea. He has been out of office since Feb. 08. It sounds like he has been traveling since then. Previous to being PM, he was the Finance Minister. He was wearing a Harvard Sweatshirt and I looked-up that he has a PhD from Harvard.
The ferry arrived on schedule in Whittier. There is nothing to see in Whittier. It was raining so we immediately headed out of town. We got to ride through the tunnel(carefully between the railroad tracks) out of Whittier.
We fueled-up in Girdwood because it was the closest gas station and we had some lunch after filling-up. The Girdwood intersection shopping center was a very scary busy gas station/strip mall! Everyone seemed to be in a rush to get their stuff and they were driving fast and all over the place. We had planned to stay in Girdwood at a B&B before, but we had no reservations for this day. There was no cheap place to stay in Girdwood, so we decided to ride to our Family's place in Kenai/Nikishiki. We arrived at their home at ~19:30. It was nice to be in a home again. They had a family night after we arrived and Jake gave the inspirational lesson. Good job Jake. Late in the evening we went for a short walk along their property on the road they put in. Just as we started the walk there was a Moose Cow and Calf. I took pictures maybe a little too close and the Cow started eying me, so I backed-off.It was a beautiful place to sleep and stay (and a fun family).
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