Captain Fred And His Wife Megan Discuss Love Of Life & Traversing The Wilderness On Their Boat With Visitors
Running a business can be daunting in and of itself. However running a business out of a port in the Southern part of America’s last frontier of Alaska is even more daunting. For Captain Fred Rodolf and his wife Megan, though, it isn’t daunting at all…just another day at the office.
Valdez, Alaska lies eleven miles inland from Prince William Sound accessed by a series of waterways. Primarily a fishing port, Valdez also boasts one of the strongest silver salmon runs in the state. In recent years the town has redefined itself as a mecca for winter sports, hosting the World Extreme Skiing Championships for nearly a decade.
However, Valdez also has one other item in great abundance: glaciers. Glaciers are where Captain Fred and Megan do their work.
Born and bred in Seattle, Capt. Fred worked for many years as a fishing charter Captain in and around Westport, Washington. His first boat was named Lu-Lu Belle because, as he puts it, “She was a real lulu.” As he moved up to bigger and better boats the moniker stuck and in 1976 he purchased the hull of what would become his latest Lu-Lu Belle. It took him the better part of a year to turn the 64’ 11” fiberglass hull into a seaworthy vessel but when he finished he began using her as a fishing and touring charter in the Washington area. Then he learned about Valdez, AK and the growing charter business up North. He felt the allure to tap that arena.
By 1979 Lu-Lu Belle and the Rodolfs had begun taking visitors to view the Columbia and Meares glaciers, two massive bodies of ice a relatively short distance from Valdez. Meares Glacier was the furthest away, at a distance of almost 60 miles, so they hit Columbia on the return. They were operating as a hired boat for the other larger charter companies until 1986 when the couple opted to go out on their own and founded Lu-Lu Belle Tours, the company that they still own and operate today.
The primary allure of the tour is to visit one of the glaciers and witness huge chunks of ice break off the edge.. This phenomenon, known as calving, is usually caused by the expansion of the glacier. People come from all over the world come to see this occurence. As Megan puts it, “it can be so spectacular to see and it’s always exciting to see a massive glacier calve, sending off huge waves. These are very active glaciers.” Capt. Fred adds, “It’s something you just can’t see many places.”
Lu-Lu Belle Tours isn’t only about glaciers. The cruises have definitely evolved over the years. “The Columbia Glacier has been receding for decades and is now a full 11 miles further away than it was in 1979 when we started,” comments Capt. Fred. “Not only is the trip to the face a lot longer but often I can’t wiggle the boat through the icebergs to get close to it anyway. [Because of this] we decided to add animal viewing to the trips as a way to compensate for the changes in the glacier. [However, recently] we changed our itinerary around again so our groups [now] actually see two glaciers: Columbia and Meares [in addition to animals] like sea lions, puffins, killer whales, and humpbacks. It’s a lot to pack into one boat trip.”
According to Capt. Fred the success of their operation comes down to two things: a niche in the market and a hands on approach.
“We run what I like to call an ‘event oriented tour’ rather than a ‘schedule oriented tour,” he explains. “That means we don’t have a specific return time. We come back once we’ve seen what we want to see and if we have to stay out a little longer to [witness] something then so be it. I don’t want people to miss out on a pod of whales just because I’m looking at the clock.”
This philosophy has set Capt. Fred’s tours apart from the other, larger companies who have to meet very specific departure and return times because of deals with local tour bus companies and large group organizers. Capt. Fred’s tours can last 8 or more hours but his visitors always come back satisfied.
As for the hands on approach, Capt. Fred is quick to point out that the owners and operators of their company are the ones leading the tours. Their guests are not handed over to hired guides like the ones that work at the other tour companies.
At Lu-Lu Belle Tours co-owner Megan handles the office duties and ticketing arrangements while Capt. Fred personally runs and narrates every tour, every day, and has been doing so for almost 40 years.
According to Capt. Fred, “I had to get a substitute once when I hurt my leg. Other than that I’ve done every Lu-Lu Belle tour since 1979. [And] I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
While Megan agrees that their philosophy and approach help them stand out from the other groups, she is quick to point out one other asset that has been essential to their longevity and success. “People love Capt. Fred,” she says. “He’s a character and he personally makes this the [trip a] highlight of [their trip] to Alaska.”
For this longstanding couple, Lu-Lu Belle Tours is more than a job. It’s their love. “If I didn’t like doing this, I’d just say to hell with it,” Capt. Fred laughs. “I want to give people an experience they can’t get anywhere else. That’s important and that’s what keeps me coming back every season.”
For the rest of the general population though, Lu-Lu Belle Tours is an experience that shouldn’t be missed when touring Alaska. Visitors come to not only see the wonder of the glaciers or the diversity of the sea life but to see what it looks like when two people live a life of real passion. In the end perhaps that’s the most important part of the tour anyway.
Michael Quinn
A graduate of St. Louis University in Communications with a focus in Advertising & Promotions, Michael has worked for Blue Man Group, Oito Zero Oito and Counts Media among others. His interests include DJing and Lawn Mower Disrepair.
Make Sure To Stay At:
Bayside RV Park & Campground, located on the East (left) side of the Richardson Hwy and beautifully situated on the Bay of Prince William Sound. You will be delighted with the unobstructed views of glaciers and majestic mountains surrounding the Park.