Valerie & Valise
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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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  • Things to Do in Whites City Hero
    Destination Guides

    The 7 Best Things to Do in Whites City, New Mexico (& Nearby)

    March 29, 2023 / No Comments

    Whites City, New Mexico is the gateway to Carlsbad Caverns National Park – and the closest community to Guadalupe Mountains National Park. This might make you think it's well-equipped to handle tourists, perhaps like Seward (Alaska) near Kenai Fjords, Bar Harbor (Maine) near Acadia, or even tiny but growing Baker (Nevada) near Great Basin...

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  • Things to Do in Carlsbad Hero
    Destination Guides

    The 10 Best Things to Do in Carlsbad, New Mexico

    March 27, 2023 / No Comments

    Located in the southeast corner of New Mexico, the town of Carlsbad is perhaps best known for the cavernous national park nearby that shares its name. Bisected by the Pecos River, this town of just 30,000 residents might not seem like it offers much other than overnight accommodation for national park travelers; in fact, there are more things to do in Carlsbad than you likely realize...

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  • 10 Days in Alaska Itinerary Hero
    Itineraries

    10 Days in Alaska: How to Plan Your Epic Alaska Itinerary in 2023

    March 24, 2023 / 210 Comments

    If there is one destination about which I receive more questions than any other, it's Alaska. At the core, everyone wants to know: how do you plan a trip to Alaska? What's the perfect Alaska itinerary? Since I started this blog, I've become a bit of an expert in Alaska trip planning and at times I publish so many stories that it seems like I'm running an Alaska travel blog! After all, I grew up in Alaska and I go back to explore my 'home' state at least once per year and twice in both 2021 and 2022...

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  • Alaska in June Hero
    Destination Guides

    Alaska in June: Planning a Summer Trip in the Most Popular Month

    March 22, 2023 / No Comments

    Though you haven't experienced it yet, there are some quintessential experiences to have in Alaska: blue skies over a stunning landscape, wildlife wandering through your view, and the sudden realization that it's 10pm and the sun is still up! That's Alaska in June though – long days and lots of fun...

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  • 7 Days in Alaska Hero
    Destination Guides,  Itineraries

    7 Days in Alaska: Two Alaska Week Itineraries for 2023

    March 20, 2023 / 40 Comments

    The absolute silence of Denali National Park. The misty spray of a waterfall running over the cliffs of Kenai Fjords. The unusual flavors of reindeer sausage topped with pineapple salsa. Alaska is a place full of experiences that you may have never had before – which is likely why you're planning a visit in 2023. It's time to have that bucket list experience...

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  • National Park Travel

    7 Former National Parks Across the U.S. Still Worth a Visit

    March 17, 2023 / 4 Comments

    When most people think of national parks in the United States, they likely envision iconic sites like Yellowstone, Yosemite, or the Grand Canyon. However, there are some former national parks that have been demoted or absorbed into other parks for a variety of reasons...

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  • Next U.S. National Park Hero
    National Park Travel

    What Should be the Next U.S. National Park? 10 Data-Backed Contenders for the NPS

    March 16, 2023 / 4 Comments

    As you may know from reading my site at all, I'm a huge fan of the national parks system in the U.S. I, like many, believe it to be one of America's best ideas – and I love traveling with the specific intent of visiting new national parks. Heck, Mr. V and I took a honeymoon road trip to explore national parks, and I plan an annual pilgrimage to a new park with my friend Marissa...

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  • National Park Visitation Facts Hero
    National Park Travel

    13 Fascinating National Park Visitation Facts (from 2022 data)

    March 15, 2023 / No Comments

    You love national parks, right? I mean, who doesn't? They are undoubtedly one of the best parts of the U.S., and protect some of the most incredible natural wonders in this country. I love visiting them, and I love learning about them too...

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  • Least Visited National Parks Hero 2
    National Park Travel

    The 10 Least Visited National Parks
    (Updated with 2022 Data)

    March 14, 2023 / No Comments

    Empty wilderness, mountain landscapes, sweeping beaches, and untamed wildlife: these are just some of the reasons that many of us are drawn to visit national parks across the U.S. And while you might think of iconic sights like geysers and granite valleys, there is a huge diversity of natural wonders on the list of National Parks...

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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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