Valerie & Valise
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  • About
    • Contact
    • Press & Writing
    • Work with Us
    • For Bloggers
  • Alaska
    • Glossary
  • Other West-inations
    • California
    • Great Basin
    • Hawaii
    • Mountain West
    • Pacific Northwest
    • Southwest
    • Escaping Cleveland
  • The V&V Shop
    • Cart

The Best of the West

My name is Valerie; my husband and I have called the American West home for many years.
Let me be your guide to Alaska, the American West, and beyond.

Want to learn more about me?
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Southwest
  • Pack for the Pacific Coast Highway Hero
    Road Trip Tips

    The 22 Best Pacific Coast Highway Stops for Your West Coast Road Trip

    January 27, 2023 / 4 Comments

    Cypress trees and sea stacks. Lighthouses and bridges. Oh, and I can't forget those epic sunsets over the Pacific Ocean. There's real magic along the Pacific Coast Highway – that's part of why I loved living in the San Francisco Bay Area (and Seattle before) and exploring the coast on my weekends...

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  • Where to Stay in Valdez Hero
    Destination Guides

    Where to Stay in Valdez: 4 Nice Hotels in the Land of Waterfalls

    January 24, 2023 / No Comments

    Alaska is a big, wild, beautiful place – and each Alaska traveler I've met has a different list of places they want to go, things they want to experience, and memories they want to bring home. For some folks, escaping the crowds and cruise ships is essential, and research quickly shows that Valdez is a great option if you're willing to take the journey and have the time...

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  • 3 Days in San Jose - Hero
    Itineraries

    3 Days in San Jose, CA: Itinerary of the Best Things to Do in the South Bay

    January 20, 2023 / No Comments

    When you think of visiting the Bay Area, where comes to mind? San Francisco, definitely. Probably Oakland and/or Berkeley. Maybe somewhere in the North Bay like Napa or Santa Rosa in Sonoma County. Does San Jose come to mind? There are far more things to do in San Jose than you might think. San Jose is the final piece of the puzzle – the South Bay’s great weekend destination...

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  • Alaska in April Hero
    Destination Guides

    Alaska in April: A Complete Guide to Visiting in Spring

    January 17, 2023 / No Comments

    Watching the seasons change in Alaska is an incredible experience. The snowclad mountains slowly change from their white vestiges to become clad in green. Wildlife begins to appear more frequently: moose move from the cities up into the mountains, bears emerge from their hibernation, and whales begin to reappear, seeking a season of feeding in Alaskan waters...

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  • Destination Guides

    Where to Eat in Seward: A Local Guide to 17 Must-Try Spots

    January 13, 2023 / No Comments

    Nestled safely on the coast of Resurrection Bay, Seward is the Kenai Peninsula's most popular destination – in part aided by the fact that Alaskan cruise companies arrive and depart here throughout the summer months (and even into the late season!). During the peak season, there are enough visitors – both cruisers and independent travelers – to support a large number of restaurants and bars in this seaside community...

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  • One Day in Bandelier Hero
    Destination Guides,  Itineraries

    How to Make the Most of One Day in Bandelier National Monument

    January 10, 2023 / No Comments

    If you're looking for a place that will never stop surprising you, New Mexico is the destination. While I only took my first trip to New Mexico in July 2021 (to see the Virgin Galactic launch!), I made a return trip in September 2022 to explore a different part of the state, and I am endlessly surprised by how different New Mexico is compared to what I expect. Land of Enchantment, indeed...

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  • Pack for the Pacific Coast Highway Hero
    Packing Lists for Travel,  Road Trip Tips

    10 Essentials to Pack for the Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip

    January 6, 2023 / No Comments

    The open road is calling, and you want to answer. Where better to explore the beauty of America than by making your way down the Pacific Coast Highway, which stretches from Washington State to the southern border of California?...

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  • Destination Guides,  Reviews

    The 10 Most Popular Hotels in Alaska for 2023

    January 3, 2023 / No Comments

    When it comes to planning an Alaska trip, it's a fair understatement to say there's a lot to consider. From choosing when to visit and how much you can afford to spend to working out the finer details of different towns you want to visit and stringing together an Alaska itinerary... I feel a bit overwhelmed just typing that all out...

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  • 2023 Yearly Mantra Hero
    Personal Stories

    My Yearly Mantra for Writing, Travel & Life in 2023

    January 1, 2023 / No Comments

    Here we are, at the start of another year. If you're reading this, first off: thank you. You've joined me once again on this journey we're all making through life and I'm glad to have you along the way – whether that's just this one post or another one about traveling to Alaska (or somewhere else)...

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Hi! I’m Valerie! 👋🏻


 
I travel with my trusty valise and my husband, Mr. V.

I started this site to share my travel stories and inspiration to help you complete bucket list trips. I’m also a not-so-secret space nerd and speak fluent emoji! ✌🏻
 
Want to know more?
Start here.

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Acknowledgement of Land

Through my site I promote travel to lands, including Alaska, Canada, and the Western U.S., which are the traditional lands of Indigenous and First Nations peoples.

With respect, I make a formal land acknowledgement, extending my appreciation and respect to the past and present people of these lands.

To learn more about the peoples who call these lands home, I invite you to explore Native Land.

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