Exploring Valdez: A Family Day Trip in Alaska

Our annual pilgrimage to Valdez usually occurs in May when we enjoy the festivities and friends hosted by the Valdez Fly-in. In 2024, we skipped the Valdez fly-in and opted to spend time with family in Anchorage after we lost Woodsen’s Mom earlier that month to ALS.

Now it was the peak of the summer season in Alaska, and we were freshly home from our epic adventure flying our airplane and family to Wisconsin and back. After a day or two of enjoying being home, the pull of summer sunshine and time off nagged, and when we found out our friends the Fosters were home and up for visitors, we decided to jump back in the plane for a daytrip to Valdez.

Alaska’s beauty is vast and diverse, but if there’s one short flight near Anchorage that showcases it well, it’s the direct flight from Wasilla to Valdez. It’s a convenient 45-minute flight in the 180, which makes it an excellent option for a day trip.

Aerial view of vast mountains and glaciers in Alaska, showcasing the rugged landscape with rivers and floating ice in the foreground.
Aerial view of mountains and glacial waters in Alaska, seen from an airplane window.
Aerial view of a glacier flowing into a river with snowy mountain peaks in the background.
Aerial view of majestic snow-capped mountains and a glacial landscape in Alaska, with a portion of an airplane wing visible in the foreground.

We landed in sunny Valdez, kids unloaded bikes they brought, but their ride was short-lived because soon our friend Rhett was there to bring us to the boat harbor.

Family members unloading luggage and preparing for a flight near a small airplane on a sunny day in Alaska, with mountains in the background.
A scenic view of a harbor in Valdez, Alaska, featuring moored fishing boats and a backdrop of mountains under a clear blue sky.
A family prepares to board a small motorboat at a harbor in Valdez, Alaska, with colorful kayaks in the background and mountains rising in the distance.

We found lifejackets for all the kids and headed out into the bay.

A woman holding a baby in a carrier smiles at the camera while on a boat, surrounded by children wearing life jackets and enjoying the scenery in Valdez, Alaska.
Three children wearing life jackets joyfully play on a boat in Alaska, with a scenic backdrop of mountains and a sunny sky.
A family with children on a boat, wearing life jackets and enjoying a sunny day in Valdez, Alaska.
View from a boat in Alaska, showing the motor and fishing rods with mountains and clouds in the background.

During the summer, our friends the Fosters make a habit of heading out into the sound for shrimping, paddleboarding, or just having a beach day. For them, this was a typical sunny summer day in Valdez, and they headed directly to one of their favorite beaches.

A scenic view of a rocky beach in Alaska, with two children exploring the shoreline near the water, surrounded by lush green trees and mountains under a clear blue sky.
A scenic view of a rocky beach surrounded by lush greenery and mountains under a clear blue sky.
Two girls kayak in calm waters near a boat, surrounded by mountains under a blue sky in Valdez, Alaska.

These are the moments where I just stand in awe of where we are, the beauty of the landscape, the warmth of the sun, and the beautiful friendships that make it so meaningful. There’s no gift anyone could buy me that would top this type of experience.

Close-up of a child's feet with small rocks on a beach, with a calm bay and mountains in the background.
A baby crawling on rocky beach pebbles with a scenic mountain backdrop and kayakers in the water.
Two women sitting on a rocky beach, each holding a baby, with a serene background of trees and smoke from a fire.

The kids took off on paddleboards, explored the beach, or played in the rocks.

A person holding a heart-shaped rock in front of a beach scene in Valdez, Alaska, with mountains and children playing in the background.
Two women and a baby stand together on a beach in Valdez, Alaska, with mountains and a boat visible in the background.
Children enjoying a sunny day on a paddleboard in Valdez, Alaska, with a boat in the background and majestic mountains in the distance.
Two children sitting on a paddleboard in a calm bay with a boat in the background, surrounded by mountains and blue skies.
Two children on a paddleboard in a calm bay near a boat, with mountains in the background on a sunny day.
Children playing on a beach in Valdez, Alaska, with mountains and a clear blue sky in the background.

The guys busied themselves making a fire to cook up our summer-time staple: hot dogs.

A person sitting on the beach, breastfeeding an infant, with colorful blankets and driftwood in the background.
Two men sitting on a beach in Alaska, one preparing kindling for a fire while the other watches, with a scenic forested mountain and clear blue sky in the background.
A woman stands on a paddleboard in calm waters, holding a paddle, with mountains and clouds in the background.

After we had thoroughly enjoyed our spot on the beach, we noticed the tide had gone out enough to walk a ways down the beach towards a small creek. Kate, I, and a few other kids walked while Rhett paddled in the same direction. The rocks were slick and treacherous, but once we were past the tidal area, the walking became easier.

A serene view of a rocky beach with clear, turquoise water, surrounded by lush green hills and forested mountains under a partly cloudy sky.
A child crouches near a small creek, playfully interacting with the water, while a waterfall cascades down a rocky hillside surrounded by lush green foliage.
Children exploring a rocky beach in Valdez, Alaska, with mountains and a clear blue sky in the background.
A woman standing on the shore while a man paddles a kayak in calm waters with mountains and trees in the background.

As we neared the creek, we could hear what sounded like a waterfall. We also saw mist rising from around the corner, but trees blocked our view. We waded up the creek to find a gushing waterful with sun drenched spray and a powerful flood of water spilling over rugged rock steps.

Kate breastfed her son while we sat in awe of the beauty of the scene.

A person paddleboarding on a tranquil creek surrounded by lush green trees and a bright blue sky in Alaska.
A person standing near a creek surrounded by lush greenery and a waterfall cascading in the background, with sunlight filtering through the trees.
A person carrying a child stands in a clear, shallow stream with a waterfall in the background, illuminated by sunlight filtering through trees.
A person standing in a shallow stream, holding a child, surrounded by rocks and lush greenery under a bright blue sky with clouds.

It isn’t easy for me to pull myself away from a place like this, but eventually we headed back towards the beach. Many hot dogs had been consumed earlier in the day, but that wouldn’t hold the kids over much longer. We headed back to Valdez with plans to go to my favorite restaurant in Valdez, the Potato.

A woman sitting in a boat cabin holding a smiling baby, with scenic views of mountains and water visible through the windows.
A group of children on a boat, with one boy wearing a life jacket and headphones, while another girl looks on in the background. The scene captures a sunny day on the water with mountains visible in the distance.
A woman sitting at a picnic table with a variety of food items, including a burrito and loaded fries, against a backdrop of mountains and a harbor.
A baby sitting in a swing at a playground, wearing a colorful hoodie and looking curiously at the camera.
Three children kayaking in a serene water body surrounded by lush greenery and mountains under a clear blue sky.

After dinner, we met up with the Andersons at the local park next to the harbor. The kids paddled around in the small pond next to the playground, and we enjoyed visiting with friends before finally heading back to the airplane and then home.

A group of adults and children gathered outdoors, smiling and posing for a photo with trees and mountains in the background.

What a day in Alaska!!

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Category : Fly, Living in Alaska, Uncategorized
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