We saw some wonderful sights.... lots of glaciers, water, mountains, and the Anchorage Temple. We had an almost private cruise on the ferry to Whittier, and the most amazing Roasted Spring Vegetable and Prawn Salad in this beautiful new hotel in Whittier. You know I am all about the food!
I know you are all dying to see what could be so great to distract us from wedding plans in May. Since we never managed to corral everyone for the slide show, here is a little taste.
We took this trip to see the STOL competition (short take off landing) It was a big deal in Valdez. The whole community shows up. Most of the businesses closed - or moved to the airport for the day. Everyone brings their lawn chairs and huddles in blankets to watch. We had turkey legs and rosemary garlic fries from the vendors. There are hundreds of planes lined up on the flightline, and the pilots pitch their tents under a wing to camp. It is a pilot's nirvana. We strolled the flightline and dad talked airplanes with the pilots. Then the competition started. They line up in groups of 5 to take off..... circle the pattern and then land. It was pretty amazing what they can do - taking off and landing in less than 100 feet. I believe the winner landed in 42 feet. This orange plane from Ultima Thule Outfitters was flown twice, by a father and son. The dad has won for the last three years - Paul Claus. The family lives in the middle of the Wrangell-St. Elias wilderness year round. Check out ultimathulelodge.com for when you have lots of money for a vacation!
They strip the planes of everything not crucial. They handprop so they can take out the starter motor. We watched Claus drain the gas, and add only the quart or two that was needed to make the loop around the pattern. It was also interesting that these planes made it in. The clouds were so low, and they fly in from everywhere..... just under the clouds. We drove the Richardson Highway from Anchorage to Valdez three days before the contest. We talked to someone who drove it the day before, and saw a Super Cub in a rest area at the side of the road. He could not clear the pass under the clouds, so he landed on the highway and taxied to the rest area to wait for the clouds to lift a little. Only in Alaska!
Such a happy happy day
Just love this shot of the colorful bikes.
In my mind this will always be remembered as the 'emergency family photo'..... It is amazing how hard it is to get us all together in the same place at the same time. I sure do love these people a lot!
