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This is Page 3 of 5 - the best of July 2021!
posted: August 2nd, 2021
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As stated on Page 2, this page continues July 15th at 10:34 AM as we drive up towards Thompson Pass from Valdez.  On this day we spent several hours and hiked a few miles up into the mountains above Thompson Pass. It ended up being a sunny day with hardly a cloud in the sky - a regular bluebird day - the kind of day which seldom happens here.  The day started out in the mountains with terrible bugs, but as it warmed up and got more sunny they tended to disappear, thankfully.  Please also note how our clothes changed over the course of the day - from starting out with three layers of clothing on our upper bodies, to late afternoon and only a sleeveless T-shirt.  What a wonderful day to be alive.  Click on any thumbnail to begin.

July 15th Continues From Page 2 (at 10:34 AM)
  Now it's 10:34 AM and we are still driving up towards Thompson Pass, though at this point we are very close. The first two shots are scenery shots. In the third shot we've stopped at Blueberry Lake Campground, just to see what it looks like. There is Blueberry Lake.
Jul15_059_DrivingTowardsThompsonPassFromValdezRC
Jul15_059_DrivingTowards
ThompsonPassFromValdezRC
July15th_153_ThompsonPassRC
July15th_153_
ThompsonPassRC
Jul15_065_BlueberryLkCGRC
Jul15_065_Blue
berryLkCGRC

  The first shot is zoomed in to Blueberry Lake, the second shot was taken for the scenery, as was the third. These were all shot from the Blueberry Lake Campground.
Jul15_066_BlueberryLkCGRC
Jul15_066_Blue
berryLkCGRC
July15th_156_ThompsonPassRC
July15th_156_
ThompsonPassRC
Jul15_071_FromBlueberryLkCGRC
Jul15_071_From
BlueberryLkCGRC

  The first shot here is zoomed in a bit more than the previous shot and also taken from a bit of a different angle. The second and third shots were taken from where we stopped to go for a hike, but we did not hike in that direction, we hiked up. The third shot shows a hiker on the top of a rock - this spot is visible in the center shot. Please also note the mosquito in the center shot. They were vicious here this morning.
Jul15_072_FromBlueberryLkCGRC
Jul15_072_From
BlueberryLkCGRC
Jul15_077_ThompsonPassAreaRC
Jul15_077_
ThompsonPassAreaRC
Jul15_078_ThompsonPassAreaRC
Jul15_078_
ThompsonPassAreaRC

  Now we are hiking and we're going to be doing so until the third shot in Row 21. The first and second shots in this row show Alaska Violet (Viola langsdorffii) and the third shot again shows Woolly Geranium (Geranium erianthum).
Jul15_083_ThompsonPass_VioletRC
Jul15_083_Thompson
Pass_VioletRC
Jul15_088_ThompsonPass_VioletRC
Jul15_088_Thompson
Pass_VioletRC
Jul15_094_ThompsonPass_GeraniumRC
Jul15_094_Thompson
Pass_GeraniumRC

  Here is another photo which shows Blueberry (Vaccinium uliginosum) flowers. Is it even possible that the fruits can ripen before the new snows come? The center shot again shows Alaska Violet (Viola langsdorffii) and the third shot shows Mosquitoes on Kazuya's Hood, along with a red fly - those things take a bite of skin.
July15th_206_ThompsonPass_VacciniumUliginosumRC
July15th_206_ThompsonPass_
VacciniumUliginosumRC
July15th_205_ThompsonPass_ViolaLangsdorffiiRC
July15th_205_ThompsonPass
_ViolaLangsdorffiiRC
Jul15_100_Hiking_ThompsonPassRC
Jul15_100_Hiking_
ThompsonPassRC

  Here are three great shots of Inky (Pale) Gentian (Gentiana glauca).
Jul15_102_ThompsonPass_GentianRC
Jul15_102_Thompson
Pass_GentianRC
July15th_222_ThompsonPass_GentianaGlaucaRC
July15th_222_ThompsonPass
_GentianaGlaucaRC
Jul15_104_ThompsonPass_GentianRC
Jul15_104_Thompson
Pass_GentianRC

  In first position here is a photo which shows many flowers of the Pixie Eye Primrose (Primula cuneifolia ssp. saxifragifolia). In second position you can see Daniel and Yellow Thimbleweed (Anemone richardsonii) and in third position is a scenery shot in which you can see the many years old snow fencing which was erected along this route. It is now falling down and doesn't seem to be so important any longer. Note that Daniel is dressed quite heavily and is wearing light weight gloves. Also note how he sheds his clothing as the day warms up. It's now 11:46 AM on the clock, but it's Daylight Saving Time now, and the sun and the clocks are 2 hours different in Alaska when we are on Saving Time, so that means the sun time is only about 9:46 AM.
Jul15_112_ThompsonPass_PixiePrimroseRC
Jul15_112_Thompson
Pass_PixiePrimroseRC
July15th_238_ThompsonPass_AnemoneRichardsoniiRC
July15th_238_ThompsonPass
_AnemoneRichardsoniiRC
Jul15_123_ThompsonPass_SceneryRC
Jul15_123_Thompson
Pass_SceneryRC

  Here are two shots of Pixie Eye Primrose (Primula cuneifolia ssp. saxifragifolia) and a shot of Kazuya shooting the scenery. Note that he is still heavily dressed too. The time now is 11:55 AM (about 9:55 AM sun time).
July15th_244_ThompsonPass_PrimulaCuneifoliaSspSaxifragifoliaRC
July15th_244_ThompsonPass_Primula
CuneifoliaSspSaxifragifoliaRC
Jul15_127_ThompsonPassPixiePrimroseRC
Jul15_127_Thompson
PassPixiePrimroseRC
Jul15_135_ThompsonPass_SceneryRC
Jul15_135_Thompson
Pass_SceneryRC

  Here are three scenery shots which are quite nice. The first shot shows a glacier, the second shot shows Kazuya and green and the third shot is long distance - note the mosquito flying by.
Jul15_136_ThompsonPass_SceneryRC
Jul15_136_Thompson
Pass_SceneryRC
Jul15_150_ThompsonPass_SceneryRC
Jul15_150_Thompson
Pass_SceneryRC
Jul15_153_ThompsonPass_SceneryRC
Jul15_153_Thompson
Pass_SceneryRC

  Here are three scenic photos. That's Daniel in the first shot, and he is saying "Nice day, eh." The second shot certainly shows some rugged terrain. The third shot shows Kazuya coming through a field of Aleutian Mountainheath (Phyllodoce aleutica).
July15th_281_ThompsonPassRC
July15th_281_
ThompsonPassRC
Jul15_154_ThompsonPass_SceneryRC
Jul15_154_Thompson
Pass_SceneryRC
Jul15_155_ThompsonPass_SceneryRC
Jul15_155_Thompson
Pass_SceneryRC

  The first two shots here show two different snow melt ponds. The third shot shows Daniel walking towards another pond. Note that he has removed one layer of clothing here at 12:20 PM (about 10:20 AM sun time).
Jul15_171_ThompsonPass_SceneryRC
Jul15_171_Thompson
Pass_SceneryRC
July15th_305_ThompsonPassRC
July15th_305_
ThompsonPassRC
July15th_332_ThompsonPassRC
July15th_332_
ThompsonPassRC

  Here is another shot which shows Alaska Violet (Viola langsdorffii) and then two scenic photos with ponds in them. Of course the third photo is merely a zoomed in presentation of the second shot.
Jul15_180_ThompsonPass_VioletsRC
Jul15_180_Thompson
Pass_VioletsRC
Jul15_181_ThompsonPass_SceneryRC
Jul15_181_Thompson
Pass_SceneryRC
Jul15_182_ThompsonPass_SceneryRC
Jul15_182_Thompson
Pass_SceneryRC

  The first photo in this row is an even more zoomed in version of the previous two shots. The center shot shows another pond, though it is a different one. The third shot shows an overview of how the Woolly Geranium (Geranium erianthum) grows.
Jul15_183_ThompsonPass_SceneryRC
Jul15_183_Thompson
Pass_SceneryRC
Jul15_187_ThompsonPass_SceneryRC
Jul15_187_Thompson
Pass_SceneryRC
Jul15_197_ThompsonPass_FlowersRC
Jul15_197_Thompson
Pass_FlowersRC

  Here is another example of Alaska Violet (Viola langsdorffii) and that is followed by two shots of the Alaska State Flower - the Alpine Forget-me-not (Myosotis asiatica).
July15th_414_ThompsonPass_ViolaLangsdorffiiRC
July15th_414_ThompsonPass
_ViolaLangsdorffiiRC
Jul15_247_ThompsonPass_MyosotisAsiaticaRC
Jul15_247_ThompsonPass
_MyosotisAsiaticaRC
Jul15_248_ThompsonPass_MyosotisAsiaticaRC
Jul15_248_ThompsonPass
_MyosotisAsiaticaRC

  The first photo is a scenic shot and it also shows Kazuya with one layer of clothing removed at 1:23 PM (about 11:23 AM sun time). The center photo is of White Bog Orchid (Platanthera dilatata) and the third shot is basically a zoomed in version of the first one.
Jul15_251_ThompsonPass_SceneryRC
Jul15_251_Thompson
Pass_SceneryRC
Jul15_258_ThompsonPass_OrchidRC
Jul15_258_Thompson
Pass_OrchidRC
Jul15_253_ThompsonPass_SceneryRC
Jul15_253_Thompson
Pass_SceneryRC

  Here are two overview photos of Alaska Violet (Viola langsdorffii) and then we stumbled upon a small patch of Western Columbine (Aquilegia formosa) which was in such a spot that it was easy to get blue sky and green mountains and even some white clouds. WOW!
Jul15_260_ThompsonPass_FlowersRC
Jul15_260_Thompson
Pass_FlowersRC
Jul15_261_ThompsonPass_FlowersRC
Jul15_261_Thompson
Pass_FlowersRC
Jul15_269_ThompsonPass_ColumbineRC
Jul15_269_Thompson
Pass_ColumbineRC

  Here is another blue sky shot with Western Columbine (Aquilegia formosa). The center shot shows Daniel and he's saying "let's eat lunch here, it's 1:30 PM." In the third shot all of those white flowers that are standing up are White Bog Orchids (Platanthera dilatata).
Jul15_272_ThompsonPass_ColumbineRC
Jul15_272_Thompson
Pass_ColumbineRC
July15th_512_ThompsonPassRC
July15th_512_
ThompsonPassRC
Jul15_291_ThompsonPass_OrchidsRC
Jul15_291_Thompson
Pass_OrchidsRC

  Now we are in that area we showed you just previous - we've died and gone to heaven and are surrounded by White Bog Orchids (Platanthera dilatata). The air smells SO WONDERFUL.
Jul15_279_ThompsonPass_OrchidRC
Jul15_279_Thompson
Pass_OrchidRC
July15th_596_ThompsonPass_PlatantheraDilatataRC
July15th_596_ThompsonPass
_PlatantheraDilatataRC
Jul15_295_ThompsonPass_OrchidsRC
Jul15_295_Thompson
Pass_OrchidsRC

  Daniel takes a deep breath of the heavenly smell of the White Bog Orchid (Platanthera dilatata); note that he has removed another layer of clothing at 2:29 PM (about 12:29 PM sun time). In the second shot, we are on our way back towards the rig now and so far we have NOT come to a rock wall which we had to backtrack from. We just had to come through that small alley which is snow free. There was a slight movement in the low brush, and what was it? It was Willow Ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus) - a mom with at least six chicks.
July15th_605_ThompsonPass_PlatantheraDilatataRC
July15th_605_ThompsonPass
_PlatantheraDilatataRC
Jul15_298_ThompsonPass_SceneryRC
Jul15_298_Thompson
Pass_SceneryRC
Jul15_303_ThompsonPass_GrouseRC
Jul15_303_Thompson
Pass_GrouseRC

  We are slowly working our way back towards where the rig is parked, there is the snow fence - we have to cross that and then we'll be within one-quarter mile or so. Oh heavens, the scenery!
July15th_677_ThompsonPassRC
July15th_677_
ThompsonPassRC
Jul15_307_ThompsonPass_SceneryRC
Jul15_307_Thompson
Pass_SceneryRC
July15th_679_ThompsonPassRC
July15th_679_
ThompsonPassRC

  Here are two final scenery shots taken during our descent back to the rig. The third shot was taken as we drove towards Worthington Glacier - it shows Worthington Lake.
July15th_680_ThompsonPassRC
July15th_680_
ThompsonPassRC
Jul15_308_ThompsonPass_SceneryRC
Jul15_308_Thompson
Pass_SceneryRC
July15th_700_ThompsonPassRC
July15th_700_
ThompsonPassRC

  Seeing as this is such a clear blue sky day - a bluebird day - we have driven back to the scenic view spot where everybody stops to take photos of Worthington Glacier. Need I say - WOW?
Jul15_309_ThompsonPass_WorthingtonGlacierRC
Jul15_309_ThompsonPass
_WorthingtonGlacierRC
Jul15_310_ThompsonPass_WorthingtonGlacierRC
Jul15_310_ThompsonPass
_WorthingtonGlacierRC
Jul15_318_ThompsonPass_WorthingtonGlacierRC
Jul15_318_ThompsonPass
_WorthingtonGlacierRC

  Here are three more photos which show Worthington Glacier. That's Daniel in the third shot.
Jul15_327_ThompsonPass_WorthingtonGlacierRC
Jul15_327_ThompsonPass
_WorthingtonGlacierRC
Jul15_319_320_321_AutoPanoAT_ThompsonPass_WorthingtonGlacierRC
Jul15_319_320_321_AutoPanoAT_
ThompsonPass_WorthingtonGlacierRC
July15th_733_ThompsonPassRC
July15th_733_
ThompsonPassRC

  We stumbled upon a patch of the White Bog Orchid (Platanthera dilatata) right beside the highway and stopped to take a few more shots. Finding them beside the highway was so much less rewarding than finding them in the mountains. Do you understand?
Jul15_330_ThompsonPass_OrchidsRC
Jul15_330_Thompson
Pass_OrchidsRC
July15th_745_ThompsonPass_PlatantheraDilatataRC
July15th_745_ThompsonPass
_PlatantheraDilatataRC

End July 15th, End Page 3
Thanks so much for taking the time to look at this page. Please continue on to page 4 for the continuation of our vacation, beginning on the morning of July 16th! Go To Page:

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