When I started my journey to Alaska, my goal was to get to Valdez, Alaska. I had heard that it was so beautiful there. I didn’t plan on going past Valdez as I have been to Alaska several time in the past. During those visits, I have been to Anchorage, Fairbanks and Nome. I have driven the Denali and Seward highways. Because of this, I didn’t see any reason to spend the time and money to see these areas again.

While in Haines, I felt like I couldn’t afford to go to Valdez. Canada was way more expensive than I had even heard about before leaving. Gas and food cost so much. Even propane was twice as much as the US. I had decided to turn around at Haines and start my journey back home.

I was visiting with my neighbor at the RV park and was telling him I decided to turn around now instead of going on to Valdez. You needed to see his RV to see why he was so interesting and knowledgeable about traveling North America. His map stickers of the US and Canada were completely full!

He said he understood why I was thinking of turning around. But he showed me photos of places he had visited in the Valdez area. He told me how I shouldn’t miss seeing the area for two reasons: 1) it is truly beautiful and 2) it’s only 11 hours away. Basically, he was telling me I had made it this far, don’t turn around with your end goal in sight. And to back up his words, he gave me $150 to help me get there. I didn’t want to take it, but he said he has had a good life, and he really wanted me to go there.

I have been blessed all along my journey. There have been so many kind people that have helped me and encouraged me. So with his encouragement and financial support, I had to complete my goal and go to Valdez.

And I’m so glad I did!!!!!!

My drive to Valdez from Haines took me along the Chilkat River. The same river I had rafted on my tour. You got a sample of the views I saw along this river in my last post. Those views only got better and better as I drove Haines Highway.

I eventually made it to the Chilkat Pass at 3,510 feet. The mountains were just stunning!

These peaks just towered over me. It made for a very enjoyable drive.

After going over the pass and crossing into the Yukon Territories, I started to look for a place to camp. I saw a sign for Million Dollar Falls campground. Well…. I just had to see that!

I was the only one at the campground. That was nice because I had my pick of a campsite, and Maddie could just run around with me exploring the river and falls.

The river was in a shallow gorge. There was a boardwalk along the river to take you to the waterfall. And by now you know I just love boardwalks! I don’t know what it is about them that appeals to me. Maybe because they are just unique?

The river was so beautiful with big rocks and dark green pine trees. Very picturesque!

The waterfall was pretty large and poured down a deep narrow drop. So pretty! And the roar of the waterfall was amazing!

The drive further up the Haines Highway continued to be gorgeous. Even the threatening storms just added to the beauty of the scenery. I stopped several times to along this highway.

I saw a sign for Kathleen Lake. Maddie was ready for a longer stop so we could stretch our legs. It was a great choice for a stop. This lake was so beautiful. We spent quite some time walking along the shoreline.

The further we walked along the lake, the more beautiful the scenery became. The parking lot was located in a little cove of a large lake. As I walked along the lake, I could finally see the larger part of the lake.

I came across an area that had some interesting rocks going in to the lake. I just couldn’t resist capturing these rocks in an image.

Madd of course had a blast exploring the lake. So many interesting smells and water to play in!

After Haines Junction, I turned west and headed toward the Alaska border and Valdez!

One the way I passed the largest gold pan in the Yukon!

I also passed some lake that I had no idea what the name of it was. But it was so beautiful I just had to stop for a quick photo.

At the edges of the lake, there were nesting Trumpeter Swans. Such a beautiful and elegant bird. They were quite a distance from me, so it was a challenge to get a photo.

The drive was pretty uneventful until I crossed back into Alaska. The drive into Valdez is just gorgeous! Once you cross at Thompson Pass, the scenery just gets better and better.

Once over the pass, you enter Keystone Canyon, which is a deep canyon with lots of waterfalls. I had to stop every mile or so to photograph another waterfall. The canyon walls were so lush with vegetation. And the waterfalls worked their way through the vegetation to reach the river.

One of the biggest falls was Bridal Veil Falls. This waterfall drops a stunning 600 feet! I could only photograph the last 100 feet.

Right after Bridal Veil Falls is Horsetail Falls. I loved this drive. Waterfalls everywhere!

Also along this drive is an old tunnel. The sign said this was a hand cut tunnel that was created to bring ore from the Kennecott Mine to the coast. Nine companies were fighting over the rights to this tunnel. Evidently a feud erupted and turned into a gun fight. The tunnel was never finished after this battle. In 1913 a road was cut into the canyon that allowed for horse-drawn carts and automobiles to drive from the mines to the coast.

I finally made it into Valdez. It’s a small harbor town that is surrounded by beautiful mountain peaks. I enjoyed my stay in this little town. It’s small enough you can walk around it in less than an hour.

What I liked about it was the large number of bald eagles. They were as plentiful as the crows. I can see why they like this harbor. There are several fishing charter companies that take people out to fish for halibut. Yum! When they bring the catch in, they filet the fish right there at the harbor.

When I first arrived at the harbor, I saw a lot of seagulls and crows feeding on the fish scraps. I was told the current scraps were Cod and Rockfish.

I could see a lot of bald eagles hanging out in the trees and other perches nearby, but they were eating what was currently out there. I was told to come back at 6 pm as that’s when the day’s charters return to the harbor.

I can see why they told me to come back then. The bald eagles knew to wait until the boats arrive in the evening. Why eat ordinary Cod or Rockfish, when you can wait for Halibut!

Once they started fileting the Halibut, the Bald Eagles started coming in to grab the Halibut scraps. It was so awesome! These beautiful eagles were within 10 feet of me! A birder’s dream!

The juvenile eagles had to wait for the adults to get their fill. They were waiting for their turn at the edges of the dock.

Once they got their chance to eat, they started squabbling amongst themselves for what was left.

As I was waiting for the Bald Eagles to come in to feed, I happened to see some sea otters playing the harbor. They are so used to the people here that they just went about their business and didn’t care that people watched them. Otters are so adorable.

While in Valdez, I made sure to eat fresh Halibut. I knew it would be my last chance to have it. I had grilled halibut fish tacos. Delish!!!

Before leaving Valdez, I drove to one of the few glaciers you can drive to. I couldn’t see the glacier from the parking lot as it was around the bend of the river. A lot of people were there kayaking to the glacier. I think the kayakers made a beautiful photo against the large icebergs.

Even though I couldn’t see the actual glacier, it was still a beautiful area to explore. I had fun walking along the pond/riverbank trying to photograph different angles of the view while at the same time throwing a stick for Maddie.

Maddie had a blast playing in the water. She never seems to mind the freezing cold temperature. She kept wanting me to throw the stick into the water. She’s even got to where she likes to swim. That’s one happy dog!

I hope you enjoyed reading about my adventures around Valdez, Alaska. Sorry it took a while to post this episode. I’ve been traveling and staying in some remote areas where even my Starlink struggles to connect.

My next post will be about traveling back through the Yukon and down through British Columbia (on a different route South).