Alaska Vacation Part 4

by the Wizard2010-07-21 10:45:51 (edited 2010-07-21 13:17)

June 20-22 — Valdez

Following our time in Fairbanks, we embarked on an extensive drive spanning 360 miles southward to Valdez. The journey was breathtaking, providing views of serene lakes and majestic snow-capped peaks. The Alaska Pipeline frequently accompanied us, often visible above ground along the route, although it runs beneath the surface at some points.

Unfortunately, there aren't many attractions along this route. We tried to find the Santa Claus house in North Pole, Alaska, but our search was futile. We drove all around the area looking for it, ultimately giving up and getting back on the main road. Later, we spotted it from the highway further south. However, it appeared to be geared solely toward tourists, so we opted not to turn back and visit.

From our experience, if you're traveling through a small town in Alaska and wish to take a break for food or exploration, it’s best not to waste time searching for the town center. Simply stay on the main road. The locals are quite direct about advertising their businesses right along the highway.

The highlight of the drive to Valdez is the final stretch of about 60 miles. Make sure to allocate time for stops at Worthington Glacier and Bridal Veil Falls (which is distinct from the similarly named waterfall found in Yosemite).

Having visited Alaska several times, including this recent trip, I can confidently say that Valdez is my favorite Alaskan city. While some may think of Valdez in connection with oil-covered herons and intoxicated Exxon tanker operators following the spill, that incident occurred back in 1989. Even after 21 years, I couldn't detect any remnants of the disaster; I even dug a small hole near the water and found no signs of oil.

There are indeed other cities as picturesque as Valdez, like Seward. However, Valdez is somewhat isolated and not located on popular routes, which keeps it from being overrun by tourists compared to the beautifully scenic Kenai Peninsula south of Anchorage. It's a sight to behold, standing in awe of how close towering mountains can be to the ocean. The backdrop around Valdez seems like it's straight out of a fantasy novel. The town itself successfully combines unique attractions with an inviting small-town atmosphere.

A notable downside of Valdez is the difficulty in finding affordable accommodations, and when you do, the prices tend to be steep. Even though I arranged this trip three months in advance, the only reasonably priced lodging I could secure was at Head Hunters Inn, a bed and breakfast located above Ernesto’s Mexican Restaurant and an unnamed beauty salon. Accommodation costs in Alaska can be high across the board, but Valdez stands out for its exceptionally high rates.

Fishing is the primary recreational activity in Valdez. My eight-year-old son had been eagerly anticipating it for quite some time. However, when I started looking into fishing excursions, I was cautioned that the waters could be quite rough. Given that both my son and I are prone to seasickness, we decided to take a safer route and opted for a leisurely kayaking tour around Shoup Glacier instead. This was a soothing experience, paddling across a lake that had formed from melting glaciers. It may be too easy for more adventurous individuals looking to exert themselves. Meanwhile, my wife and daughters enjoyed a sightseeing cruise around Prince William Sound, which they all thoroughly appreciated, without any issues with seasickness. Anadyr Adventures Pictures from the Prince William Sound Cruise

Kayak Trip Pictures

We were treated to complimentary breakfasts at Ernesto’s on both mornings, which were quite enjoyable. However, I must make a special mention of Mike's Palace for dinner, situated right by the harbor. I found the food to be delicious and reasonably priced. During another evening, we grabbed Thai takeout from a purple truck while traveling to Valdez via Glennallen, which turned out to be very tasty. My wife enjoyed it so much that we decided to eat there again on our return journey. In fact, the only dining establishments we revisited during our entire trip were the purple truck and the salmon bake in Fairbanks.

Looking back, I wish we had spent more than just one full day in Valdez. I hope to return there one day. As I write this from a sweltering 112-degree day in Las Vegas, I wouldn’t need much persuasion to consider relocating there.

After departing from Valdez, we traveled about 300 miles back to Anchorage, where we spent one more night at the same hotel before catching a flight back to Vegas with a stop in Portland. On my next Alaska adventure, I plan to explore the coastal regions. I believe hopping from one town to another using Alaska ferries would be an exciting way to experience the state. If it weren't for the limitations of my children's summer vacations, I might consider going during the 'shoulder seasons' to escape the tide of tourists, even if it meant facing colder weather. Additionally, I previously mentioned the possibility of a winter trip to observe the Northern Lights.

One last detail I haven't mentioned yet is that right before embarking on this vacation, I purchased an iPad. This turned out to be one of the best decisions I made for the trip. I ended up paying around $300 over market value from a seller on eBay since the Apple stores were out of stock, but it was worth every penny. The GPS feature helped me navigate without getting lost, the internet browser allowed me to stay connected with emails wherever there was cell service, and my two older children enjoyed hours of entertainment playing games during the long drives.

And so, I come to the end of my travel story about Alaska. I apologize for its length, and I hope it was engaging rather than tedious.

: Chena River Hot Springs and Fairbanks.

Links

• Part 1 : Anchorage and Talkeetna.
• Part 2 : Denali National Park.
• Part 3 Mathematically sound strategies and insights for casino games such as blackjack, craps, roulette, and countless others.

Written by: Michael Shackleford