Alaska : Valdez

Our Alaskan adventure kicked off in the charming port town of Valdez. Tucked away in Southeast Alaska, Valdez may be small, but its history is big—from the devastation of the Good Friday Earthquake to the infamous Exxon Valdez oil spill.

Follow along as we explore this stunning town, all from the comfort of our fifth wheel!

 Tok to Valdez

The journey from Tok to Valdez was nothing short of spectacular! Clear skies stretched above us as we wound our way through the towering peaks of Thompson Pass—a drive I’ll always remember.

I’d never felt so small, so awestruck by the vastness of creation.

Each turn seemed to magnify God’s power and majesty, filling me with a deep reverence and wonder for Him.

Psalm 90:2

“Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever you had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting, You are God.”

Exploring Keystone Canyon

After winding through Thompson Pass, we found ourselves face-to-face with the stunning Horsetail Falls and Bridal Veil Falls in Keystone Canyon.

I can only imagine how incredible these waterfalls must look frozen in winter! And as if that wasn’t magical enough, we spotted two moose on our way in!

Valdez Glacier Campground

We stayed at Valdez Glacier Campground (not in town, but a short 5 minute drive)

• Electric only - dump and water available- options for dry camping.
• Big, hot, private showers and restrooms.
• $35/ night.

The camp host here is very passionate about this place. She was more than willing to share recommendations for activities, food, and places to visit.

Tip: If you are going to drive to Alaska, expect your vehicle to be FILTHY.  

Good Eats

Taking our camp host's advice, we treated ourselves to a meal at The Nat Shack, and it was so worth it! 

Their delicious crunch wraps and halibut tacos hit the spot, but the real treat was the view- breathtaking 360- degree mountain vistas and stunning ocean scenery all around us.

Perk of Full Time Traveling: Meeting Camp Hosts

The campground had a charming, rustic vibe in a picture-perfect setting. Our camp host shared an inspiring story: he’d left his job to follow his dream of leading kayak tours, but when he arrived, the company he’d planned to work for was gone. 

Living out of a small tent with only a bike, he was soon offered a job and a trailer at the campground. Eventually, he found his way back to his dream, guiding kayak tours on Glacier Lake.

Stories like his really restore your faith in people. Though we skipped the tour, we did hike to Glacier Lake, where Scott and my son took a brave plunge into the icy 47-degree water!

During our chat, the camp host noticed we mentioned God a few times. He opened up about his own faith, saying that talking about it often feels intimidating because of how some people view Christians.

I get it—while I’m far from perfect, my faith in Jesus drives me to grow. My hope is that when I share, people feel welcomed and understood, not judged or pressured.

John 13: 34-35

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

Favorite Activities

One of our field trips while in Valdez, was visiting the Solomon Gulch Fish Hatchery. We completed a self guided tour and learned quite a bit. We were there in the beginning of June, so it was little early for the salmon run. I would love to go during season in order to watch the eagles, bears, and sea lions!

Valdez is packed with hiking trails, so we wasted no time and hit the trail as soon as we arrived. After a long day of driving, we were eager to stretch our legs.

 By 9:00 pm, the sun was still shining brightly, and we were laughing at how delirious we’d become from the endless daylight!

Never Ending Days

Adjusting to the long days took some time, but we loved it! With daylight lasting well into the evening, we often forgot about dinner until 10:00 PM, followed by late-night walks that left us exhausted.

I now truly understand how Alaskans make the most of those long summer days—fishing, preparing for winter, and enjoying the daylight with others—before embracing the restful, quieter winter months.

Reflection

My prayer for us all is that we will take the time to be in awe of God through His nature, that we will be bold and spread God’s love to ALL people, and that we embrace both the bustling times of productivity and the serene seasons of rest with equal joy and gratitude.

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