Alaskology : Exxon Valdez: 20 years later

Alaskology

About the blog: Alaska is a wonderful and fascinating place. Whether its backcountry hiking, coastline kayaking or dining on a downtown deck, there truly is something for everyone. This blog picks up where the annual Daily News Visitors' Guide leaves off. The guide is published in late April, but that's just when summer fun starts heating up. Throughout the year, we hope to give readers a look at Alaska through local eyes. The blog also serves as a calendar of what's going on, a place to look for some outstanding vacation deals and other cool stuff. We invite your comments and your questions. E-mail me at alaskology@adn.com.
About me: I live in Anchorage, Alaska's largest city, and I served as the special sections editor at the Anchorage Daily News for nine years. My wife and I have been Alaska residents since 2000 and never plan to leave.

Exxon Valdez: 20 years later

Posted by Alaskology

Posted: March 24, 2009 - 5:33 pm

I wasn't here in 1989.

I was a junior in college 20 years ago today when the Exxon Valdez ran aground in Prince William Sound. At that point, I didn't fully understand what happened. How could I? I'd never been to Alaska, I'd never stepped foot on a beach in the Sound.

Since I've moved to Alaska, I’ve kayaked in Prince William Sound several times. I've ridden the Alaska Ferry to Cordova. I've been on glacier cruises.

Thankfully, I've not seen the results of the 11 million gallons of oil that spilled from the Exxon Valdez.

But today is a day to think about what happened 20 years ago, to think about the devastation and to think about how nature has helped heal what man has done.

-- Steve