Since the end of the pipeline is actually within city limits and the company, therefore, pays property taxes, Valdez is the wealthiest city in Alaska. Their average low temperature in the winter is 26 degrees (not bad!), but they receive 30-40 feet of snow, which in recent years has turned into more rain than snowfall. As a result of full coffers, the roads are constantly cleared, even Thompson Pass, and the Sound is kept free for ships to enter/exit port, so Valdez doesn't "suffer" winter as most of the rest of Alaska. They are supposed to have 4,000 full-time residents, but the captain on the boat, who has lived here for 20 years, doesn't see how that is possible.
Valdez has been the prettiest place I have seen so far, and one of the nicest. I am very glad I stopped.
My next adventure is the 133-mile gravel Denali Highway and a week in Denali National Park!
(I won't have internet for awhile, so my next post will probably be a long "catch up" blog.)
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