Richardson Highway - Fairbanks to Valdez (368 miles)

I was told this was a beautiful drive - not to be missed.  One of the few times I wished someone was with me to take pictures.  Valdez is as beautiful as advertised as well. (FYI not one scrap of little the entire length)

The Richardson Highway was the first real road built in Alaska.

As I left Fairbanks (the largest city in interior Alaska), my first stop was Delta Junction. It marks the end of the Alaska Highway.  At the Visitor's Center, I finally got my certificate for driving the Alaska highway (it was closed when I actually came through the first time).  I also had an interesting conversation with the ranger.  She told me people actually argue with her that they are still in Canada and ask her if they have running water and bathrooms in Alaska.

Cranes in Fairbanks

Buffalo country

I stopped at Copper Center Visitor Center for Wrangell-St. Elias National Park (the largest National Park in the United States) to get some information and my park stamp.  Since it is not "open" until this weekend, I'll have to drive back up to explore Kennicott National Historic Landmark, etc.

I have been lucky enough to see several moose and lots of caribous, but all I seem to get is their rear end.  As soon as I approach for a picture, they turn and give me the brush. 

Moose

Start of a railroad tunnel hand-cut into solid rock

Like driving through Oregon and Washington, beautiful waterfalls along the road ..

Bridal Veil and other falls

I'm in Valdez for 10 days.  I have a glacier cruise around the Prince William Sound booked, as well as a trip back to Kennicott.  It is beautiful here, but colder than Fairbanks (snow in the forecast for next week!), and the nights actually get mostly dark.