The Perils of Gloating

1. gloat

   
   

   glōt/

   verb

   1. 1.

      contemplate or dwell on one's own success or another's misfortune with smugness or malignant pleasure.

      "his enemies gloated over his death"

      synonyms:

      delight, relish, take great pleasure, revel, rejoice, glory, exult, triumph,crow; More

   We have a time honored tradition in our family that periodically when Val and I are somewhere enjoying a Funmobile trip, we will call Jess, (who is probably working}, or Blaine, (who is likely shuttling 5-7 teens or pre-teens from one place to another), and describe to them what magnificent scene is in front or our very eyes.  This is NOT INTENDED to be mean or spiteful, but may be perceived to be, and negative Karma may result.  

   
   

   
   

   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   Such was the case on our 2-day run from Fairbanks (A) to Valdez (D) where the scenery can be quite stunning.

   
   

   After a call to our children to 

   remind them how wonderful life can be....

   
   

   
   

   

   
   
   The unthinkable happens!
   
   

   

   
   

   Now changing a tire on a 10,000 lb RV (which lug nuts were last put on by an 800 lb gorilla), is not quite the same as your average car.  That is why I have special RV roadside assist insurance.

   
   

   However, the location of the flat (C) is approximately equidistant from the last point of civilization (B), and arguably the next point of civilization (D).and at a point where there are no bars (cell OR beverage).

   
   

   

   
   

   As I was preparing to tackle the job myself, Val's huge reserve of GOOD karma takes over and brings us a local road warrior  who insists on doing all the heavy lifting.  "I do this all the time for tourists."

   
   

   

   
   

   The end of this part of the story is that even Valdez does not have a tire store so tomorrow we head for the closest source of tires, 358 miles away in Wasilla, home of Sarah Palin).

   
   

   Anyway the following is a collection of the scenery along the way from (C) to Valdez (E).  I will say that this is probably the most stunning landscape I've ever been through.

   
   

   

   
   

   

   
   

   

   
   

   

   
   

   

   
   

   

   
   

   

   
   

   

   
   

   

   
   

   

   
   

   

   
   

   

   
   

   

   
   

   

   
   

   Valdez has the dubious honor of being the terminus of the Alaska Pipeline.  Although it (the pipeline) is visible in a few places, all-in-all it is not particularly obtrusive.

   
   

   The town, having been completely destroyed in 1964 by the largest earthquake ever recorded in the US, is relatively new and is a active sport and commercial fishing center.

   
   

   

   Tonight's Dinner?
   (For somebody)

   
   

   

   
   

   
   

   Goodnight from Valdez AK, home port of the Exxon Valdez.

   
   

   Brad & Val