Valdez Day Trip
May 10th, 2003, 10:00 PM
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Valdez Day Trip
Can anyone recommend a day trip to see glaciers from Valdez, please?
Would it be better to do it from Whittier?
Cost is a consideration, I thought it may be cheaper from Valdez. We will have a hire car.
Thank you,
Carrabella
Would it be better to do it from Whittier?
Cost is a consideration, I thought it may be cheaper from Valdez. We will have a hire car.
Thank you,
Carrabella
May 13th, 2003, 09:37 PM
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Hi,GinaO
We have a week first in Anchorage, then another week to see whatever else.
We were there a couple of years ago for 10days, in Anchorage, and did drive to Valdez and back in one day (FABULOUS trip!)
This time, I'd like to stay a couple of days there, to have a better look around.
Thanks,
Carrabella
PS From Anchorage, we'll probably do day trips to Talkeetna and surroundings, Seward, Portage etc, and stay overnight in Homer on the 8th day. A day trip by ship from Whittier would suit us from Anchorage, but it seems expensive, and I thought it may be cheaper from Whittier. We have a month from LA afterwards, so have to budget! Thank you for your interest.I'd appreciate suggestions and thoughts.
Carrabella
We have a week first in Anchorage, then another week to see whatever else.
We were there a couple of years ago for 10days, in Anchorage, and did drive to Valdez and back in one day (FABULOUS trip!)
This time, I'd like to stay a couple of days there, to have a better look around.
Thanks,
Carrabella
PS From Anchorage, we'll probably do day trips to Talkeetna and surroundings, Seward, Portage etc, and stay overnight in Homer on the 8th day. A day trip by ship from Whittier would suit us from Anchorage, but it seems expensive, and I thought it may be cheaper from Whittier. We have a month from LA afterwards, so have to budget! Thank you for your interest.I'd appreciate suggestions and thoughts.
Carrabella
May 14th, 2003, 04:36 PM
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What are you interested in doing beside taking a day trip to see glaciers?
Since you already stayed in Anchorage may I suggest you stay in Valdez for 2 nights and in Homer at least two nights? Both places are a long drive from Anchorage.
Valdez
If you are a hiker there are endless opportunities. There are also two good museums, one with its Annex right in town, the other one in the airport. Town of Valdez is nothing to write home about but outdoor activities are fantastic.
On the way to Valdez from Anchorage take a walk at Matanuska Glacier, stop for lunch at the Copper Center Lodge. At the Worthington Glacier take a trail from the parking lot on the left side of the glacier, stop at the Thompson Pass to see blooming tundra. Before you arrive in Valdez stop at the waterfalls.
I have no idea how much a day trip to see glacier may cost but I don't think it will be any or significant difference between prices in Valdez and Whittier. Check this website www.princewilliamsound.com
Homer
There is so much to do and see.
Halibut fishing and bear watching (both expensive)
Pratt Museum, Wynn Nature Center, bird watching, trip to Halibut Cove, water taxi across the bay to hike to the Glacier Lake to see floating icebergs, walking on the beach, hiking above the town with amazing views of the glacier across the bay. If you are looking for a place to stay in Homer check this website www.cabinsinhomer.com Some of them are inexpensive but you have to book them very soon. Many of them probably are booked by now. This website lists 17(?) chalets and cabins. After reviewing their websites and prices you may contact them directly by e-mail. We stayed in two chalets and are returning to one of them in July.
Maybe you should also consider staying in Seward overnight and visit the Exit Glacier. If you do search on this board you will find out why. This not our favorite place in Alaska but many posters on this board recommend staying there.
Since you already stayed in Anchorage may I suggest you stay in Valdez for 2 nights and in Homer at least two nights? Both places are a long drive from Anchorage.
Valdez
If you are a hiker there are endless opportunities. There are also two good museums, one with its Annex right in town, the other one in the airport. Town of Valdez is nothing to write home about but outdoor activities are fantastic.
On the way to Valdez from Anchorage take a walk at Matanuska Glacier, stop for lunch at the Copper Center Lodge. At the Worthington Glacier take a trail from the parking lot on the left side of the glacier, stop at the Thompson Pass to see blooming tundra. Before you arrive in Valdez stop at the waterfalls.
I have no idea how much a day trip to see glacier may cost but I don't think it will be any or significant difference between prices in Valdez and Whittier. Check this website www.princewilliamsound.com
Homer
There is so much to do and see.
Halibut fishing and bear watching (both expensive)
Pratt Museum, Wynn Nature Center, bird watching, trip to Halibut Cove, water taxi across the bay to hike to the Glacier Lake to see floating icebergs, walking on the beach, hiking above the town with amazing views of the glacier across the bay. If you are looking for a place to stay in Homer check this website www.cabinsinhomer.com Some of them are inexpensive but you have to book them very soon. Many of them probably are booked by now. This website lists 17(?) chalets and cabins. After reviewing their websites and prices you may contact them directly by e-mail. We stayed in two chalets and are returning to one of them in July.
Maybe you should also consider staying in Seward overnight and visit the Exit Glacier. If you do search on this board you will find out why. This not our favorite place in Alaska but many posters on this board recommend staying there.
May 14th, 2003, 07:53 PM
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Thank you for your great reply, GinaO. We are interested in outdoor activities, and the fabulous scenery of your young country - Australia is millions of years older, so consequently, our glaciers are long gone, and our mountains are worn down and rounded, so anything peaky turns me on!
We have had a quick walk on the Exit, Matanuska and Worthington glaciers.At the latter, we were the only car there, and it was marvellous.That was in May or beginning of June. This time, I guess there will be more tourists. We have a month in
Do you think it would be better to spend all of the last week in Homer, Valdez and Seward, and forget about anything north of Denali?( We did the bus trip in Denali last time, as a day trip from Anchorage. Liked Kenai Peninsular better)
Thanks. C.
PS Shall check out the sites
We have had a quick walk on the Exit, Matanuska and Worthington glaciers.At the latter, we were the only car there, and it was marvellous.That was in May or beginning of June. This time, I guess there will be more tourists. We have a month in
Do you think it would be better to spend all of the last week in Homer, Valdez and Seward, and forget about anything north of Denali?( We did the bus trip in Denali last time, as a day trip from Anchorage. Liked Kenai Peninsular better)
Thanks. C.
PS Shall check out the sites
May 17th, 2003, 04:44 PM
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It seems to me that you would like to return to Valdez. So how about this?
Start with Valdez for 2 nights.
Ferry from Valdez (around 7 am) to Whittier (around 2 pm) and driving to Homer for 3 nights
Then from Homer to Seward for 2 nights.
This way you will cover all those places you mentioned.
Take your time, enjoy, stop often. As you know scenery is breathless.
If you take a ferry from Valdez to Whittier you may consider this as a day trip to see glaciers. There is a park ranger on the ferry from Valdez. When on the ferry keep your eyes wide open for whales and bold eagles. Wear warm clothes including a hat and windbreaker so you may stay outside and you will see many glaciers. When you arrive near Columbia Glacier the ferry will slow down and you will have an opportunity to take pictures of some huge icebergs. Your ferry will also come very close to the sea lions colony. It is a really very interesting trip. If you want more information on ferry schedule, prices and booking go to www.dot.state.ak.us
If you decide to take a ferry you should make reservation very soon.
IMHO, yes I think that to see more and drive less I would spend that week in these places; Valdez, Homer and Seward. If you decide on longer stays instead of commuting from Anchorage I could give you some suggestions for a couple stops on the way to/from Homer.
Start with Valdez for 2 nights.
Ferry from Valdez (around 7 am) to Whittier (around 2 pm) and driving to Homer for 3 nights
Then from Homer to Seward for 2 nights.
This way you will cover all those places you mentioned.
Take your time, enjoy, stop often. As you know scenery is breathless.
If you take a ferry from Valdez to Whittier you may consider this as a day trip to see glaciers. There is a park ranger on the ferry from Valdez. When on the ferry keep your eyes wide open for whales and bold eagles. Wear warm clothes including a hat and windbreaker so you may stay outside and you will see many glaciers. When you arrive near Columbia Glacier the ferry will slow down and you will have an opportunity to take pictures of some huge icebergs. Your ferry will also come very close to the sea lions colony. It is a really very interesting trip. If you want more information on ferry schedule, prices and booking go to www.dot.state.ak.us
If you decide to take a ferry you should make reservation very soon.
IMHO, yes I think that to see more and drive less I would spend that week in these places; Valdez, Homer and Seward. If you decide on longer stays instead of commuting from Anchorage I could give you some suggestions for a couple stops on the way to/from Homer.
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May 18th, 2003, 08:59 PM
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Trip from Valdez to Whittier sounds good, and I've visited the site to get times - infrequent, so I see why you need to book. Couldn't find out if 13th Sept would be summer or winter rates, however, without booking first.
Yes, GinaO, I would like the highlights of the Homer trip, thank you.
Yes, GinaO, I would like the highlights of the Homer trip, thank you.
May 19th, 2003, 06:04 PM
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Carrabella, the ferry winter schedule starts in October. However, in September there is no daily ferry from Valdez to Whittier. You pointed out September 13th and around this date there is ferry on September 11, 12, 13 and after that September 18th.
How I wish to be in Alaska in September. Suppose to be spectacular with amazing colors of blooming tundra. I can only imagine how vivid are colors around Valdez and Homer.
I will review my trip reports from Alaska and tomorrow or next day I'll post here a list of places that we visited on the way to and from Homer. I hope you will find them as interesting as we did.
If you decide on some specific accommodations in Valdez or Homer let me know. Maybe I heard of them.
Gina
How I wish to be in Alaska in September. Suppose to be spectacular with amazing colors of blooming tundra. I can only imagine how vivid are colors around Valdez and Homer.
I will review my trip reports from Alaska and tomorrow or next day I'll post here a list of places that we visited on the way to and from Homer. I hope you will find them as interesting as we did.
If you decide on some specific accommodations in Valdez or Homer let me know. Maybe I heard of them.
Gina
