Later in the day ...

Mid afternoon we needed some exercise so off we went to Dock Point Trail. The description for this  rather short, fairly easy walk is "one of the prettiest for its size. Hikers can enjoy close up views of a grass and wildflower meadow from the comfort of a dry boardwalk."(obviously they didn't bank on a late, cold spring and sudden warming trend when they made the trail map guide! Mud, mud, and even more mud.) "Spruce trees and ground dogwood offer excellent photo ops. The West and East overlooks provide views of Harbor Cove and the Port of Valdez ...."

 Lysichiton americanus aka Western Skunk Cabbage

Red squirrels are easy to identify - they are the only tree squirrel in Alaska that is active by day. Alaska’s only other tree squirrel, the secretive northern flying squirrel, is nocturnal. Alaska is home to one ground squirrel, the Arctic ground squirrel, and there are no chipmunks in Alaska.

Not sure, but I think it's a Gray-cheeked Thrush - "shy skulker of the underbrush is not well known and is rather infrequently seen."

Cornell Lab of Ornithology's photo of a Gray-cheeked Thrush

 So we're walking along the trail when this woman drives up to us and stops. She told us she is "fixing to go on vacation and borrowed a gold pan from a friend". Jeff asked her what she puts in it, and her reply - "Dirt and water" (unsaid but implied was "duh, you stupid jerk"). We wished her luck and off she went, pink feathered helmet blowing in the breeze... Addendum. I learned from Kelly & Kathryn Hawkins that the woman is Debs Campbell. She lives in a house off the road at the end of the lower trail and well known around Valdez for her hat collection. Now we know!

To top off the day our landlord/friend John - aka the 'head of his household'- made delicious shrimp crepes for dinner. He 'allowed' me to make the salad! One more great day in Valdez.