Despite the stigma that goes along with the name Valdez, the town is an ideal coastal destination with stunning surroundings. Waterfalls, glaciers, snow capped mountains and a beautiful bay all in a 360 degree view. Valdez is a major shipping port for fuel, which is the reason this town is here in the first place. Here is where the Alaska pipeline ends. Brian came to Valdez on his cadet shipping tour in the winter of 2006. He was on the Seabulk “Pride” but never came ashore to town. There is a separate port across the bay for all oil tanker traffic. Also, Valdez is in somewhat of a snow belt. That might be an understatement, the town receives 25’ or so of snow every winter. Even if he had been into town, it would have looked completely different. Though, he did experience the airport and was lucky enough to catch a plane to fly home through a small window of clear weather that is seen only every other week, give or take, during that time of year. Valdez is on the road system as well, making it accessible by boat, plane or vehicle, a rare thing in Alaska.
We loved it here. We parked the camper right in the center of town and splurged with all the amenities; full hook-ups, free hot showers, laundry, and a view of the harbor. The weather was gorgeous. I have never worn shorts, a tank top and sandals in Alaska before. We rode our bikes all around town exploring the local hikes and trying our best to catch a fish. We walked the docks and watched the fishing charters pull in and unload their massive halibuts and rockfish. Seagulls and Bald eagles soaring and squawking above us, swooping in for filet scraps. On our way out of town, we pulled in to check out Worthington Glacier. The mass of ice is retreating and melting rapidly but it is the most accessible glacier on the road. We took time for a short hike and a photo shoot and were on our way.
Valdez harbor
Bridal Veil Falls
from across the bay
Worthington Glacier
Next Stop: Anchorage, AK
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