Whittier to Valdez

It was a travel and errand day as we first  drove back to Anchorage to do laundry and grocery shop. Next, we made the scenic 5 hour drive to Valdez with several stops at viewpoints of mountains and glaciers. Although the scenery was awesome, I was lamenting the fact that I didn’t reserve the ferry from Whittier to Valdez. It would have provided additional rest for the driver and another view of Prince William Sound with the potential of a whale sighting.  On the other hand, the road provides opportunities to see moose and waterfalls.

The drive from Whittier to Valdez definitely had its silver linings. One of the most memorable stretches was along the Richardson Highway, especially as we passed through Thompson Pass, where towering peaks still held onto their snowcaps in mid-summer. We also made a stop at the dramatic Worthington Glacier, just off the roadside—an unexpected bonus. As we descended into Valdez, we were treated to stunning views of Bridal Veil Falls and Horsetail Falls, both pouring down the cliffs like something out of a movie. Though we missed the ferry, the land route gave us a front-row seat to Alaska’s rugged interior beauty.