Days 33-35: Valdez, Alaska

Karen Derrick-Davis
May 20
3 min read

Wildlife Bingo

nesting Trumpeter Swans!!
Bald Eagles
porcupine on Goat Trail

Highlights

Keystone Canyon (so many waterfalls!)
Valdez Glacier & Lagoon
all the Bald Eagles!
Gorgeous snow-covered peeks surrounding the town

Hiccups

none

Next stop, Valdez! We made a last minute decision to adjust our itinerary and go to Valdez before, rather than after McCarthy. It's nice to be able to make changes. McCarthy is a more difficult location and we were ready for an easier stop for a few days with full hookups -- showers!

Just another oddity on the road. I've seen a couple of these...

Just cannot stop taking photos of snowy mountains.

We passed more beautiful lakes and more gorgeous mountain views. A very special sighting was nesting Trumpeter Swans!

A little rain, but mountains still clear on way to Valdez

Finally at the top. It was a long approach!

After descending Thompson Pass, the final approach to Valdez is through Keystone Canyon. Woweeee! The waterfalls in this canyon are truly spectacular -- and it is early in the season! The big melt has yet to begin.

Although there was a little airshow in Valdez, which brought out lots of Alaskan travelers, we were able to find a spot at Valdez RV Park. So far on our trip, we have been able to find camping without reserving ahead. Traveling early in the season helps.

After setting up, we walked a block to the harbor. We noticed lots of Bald Eagles circling, and when we got to the harbor, we saw why. In the afternoons, when the fishermen are cleaning their catch, the Bald Eagles feed on the skins in the trough. It happened every afternoon we were there.

Juvenile Bald Eagle at Valdez harbor waiting its turn for fish guts.

Bald Eagles. "Don't even think about coming over here to steal our fish guts!"

Easy livin' for Bald Eagles here in Valdez.

That evening, we found Valdez Brewing for seltzers and Poor Betty's food truck served up some great fried cheese curds and a halibut po'boy. Yum!

The next day, we had a "trailer day" -- as we have come to call them -- cleaning, shopping, laundry, hardware store, relaxing. As I say, we are "traveling" not "camping." We are living on the road. Not every day has to be sightseeing.

Of course, with 18 hours of sunlight, we have a lot of day! So, we took a little drive and walk after dinner to Valdez Glacier. These photos were taken at 9pm.

Valdez Glacier and lagoon and mudflats (ice-covered parts are blue)

The next day was rainy, but we took a morning hike on Goat Trail in Keystone, anyway. One person told us, "Any day without horizontal rain is a good day in Valdez!" -- so we felt lucky!

Goat Trail with Bridal Veil Falls in the distance

Next day was beautifully clear!

The view of Valdez from across the bay from Alison Point

We also did a little rockhounding in the glacial river bed.

Scouring the glacial river bed for interesting rocks.

Other Fellow Travelers

RV park owner: sent to Valdez with Coast Guard, decided to stay
Older gentleman, M, was a truck driver. Wife passed 2 years ago, decided to sell house and hit the road, been on the road 2 months. Very knowledgeable about RVs. Kindly offered us food and great conversation.
Two young couples from Spain and Argentina in camper vans; traveling the Pan American Highway. The Argentinians have s been on the road for 7 years and have traveled all the way from Argentina to Alaska (with many detours along the way)! To cross from Panama to Columbia (the notorious Darien Gap), they sent their vehicle by container ship and flew themselves! The rest of the route is pretty good roads, they said. The other couple from Spain traveled from Panama to Alaska in 18 months. We have discussed driving the Pan American Highway. It was fun to meet people who have actually done it! They encouraged us to make the trip...not sure it is in the realm of possibility for us, anymore...

Campervans of the Pan American Highway travelers