Valerie & Valise
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  • About
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    • Contact
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    • Recent Trip Reports
      • August 2021
      • June 2022
      • July/Aug 2022
      • August 2023
    • Glossary
  • Other West-inations
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    • National Parks
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    • Escaping Cleveland
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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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  • Alaska in August Hero
    Destination Guides

    Alaska in August: A Guide for Late Summer Visitors This Year

    July 21, 2023 /

    Alaska may have a short summer season, but we certainly know how to make the most of it. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, both visitors and local Alaskans can experience all The Last Frontier has to offer, from culture and cuisine to the wonders of wildlife and the Great Outdoors...

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  • Visit Chicken Alaska Hero
    Destination Guides

    How to Visit Chicken, Alaska: A Handy Guide

    July 18, 2023 / No Comments

    When it comes to exploring Alaska, I like to think that everywhere has something quirky, unique, and worth visiting. From the bigger cities that some might spurn – but which are home to some of the best attractions and experiences – to the smaller towns with the interesting ways they've come to adapt to life in The Last Frontier: all of Alaska is interesting to me, and worth visiting once (at least!)...

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  • Alaska in October Hero
    Destination Guides

    Alaska in October: A Guide for Visiting in Late Autumn

    July 14, 2023 / 2 Comments

    Ah, October. After the busy summer and autumn seasons in Alaska, October is the month when you can really start to feel the local's experience of The Last Frontier. Gone are the majority of visitors; gone are the majority (but not all) cruise ships. The days rapidly become shorter and the nights longer and the temperatures steadily drop...

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  • Things to Do Near Glacier National Park Hero
    Destination Guides

    7 Great Things to Do Near Glacier National Park

    July 11, 2023 / No Comments

    Ask anyone who's been: there's nowhere on earth like Glacier National Park in Montana. Towering Rocky Mountains have been carved over millions of years by the powerful forces of ice and water; today, the vistas along Going-to-the-Sun Road and in the Many Glacier and Two Medicine areas look as much like the paintings of the American Masters as the real here-and-now we're lucky to live in...

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  • Best Binoculars for Alaska Cruise Hero
    Packing Lists for Travel

    The 10 Best Binoculars for Your Alaska Cruise in 2023

    July 6, 2023 / No Comments

    As you begin packing for your Alaska cruise, there’s a lot to remember. Layers ✔️ Camera ✔️ Day pack ✔️ But there’s one more item you might forget that will come in super handy for getting up close and personal with the massive sweeping majesty of Alaska: binoculars for your Alaska cruise...

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  • Glacier National Park Reservations Hero
    Destination Guides

    Glacier National Park Reservations: Demystifying How to Visit in 2023

    July 3, 2023 / 4 Comments

    Located in the heart of the universally impressive Rocky Mountains, Glacier National Park is also called the Crown of the Continent – high praise that's well deserved, if you've ever been fortunate to visit. If you're reading this post though, I'm guessing you haven't visited Glacier National Park... instead, you're planning your first trip, and have discovered that it's like, really confusing to figure out when, where, and how to visit Glacier National Park...

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  • Where to Stay in Ketchikan Hero
    Destination Guides

    Where to Stay in Ketchikan: 5 Great Hotels in Alaska’s “First City”

    June 30, 2023 / No Comments

    Situated in the heart of the Tongass National Forest, Ketchikan is a treasure trove of raw, untamed beauty. It's a place where crystal-clear waters meet the vast forest wilderness, offering a gateway to the majestic landscapes of the Last Frontier and the best that Southeast Alaska has to offer...

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  • Things to Do in Seward Hero
    Destination Guides

    17 Things to Do in Seward, Alaska, Gateway to Kenai Fjords

    June 27, 2023 / 6 Comments

    Located on the Kenai Peninsula south of Anchorage, Seward is a popular 1-2 day trip for visitors on their first trip to Alaska. Whether it's somewhere you plan to explore before (or after) stepping on (or off) your cruise ship, or you're planning to drive or ride the Alaska Railroad to Seward, this small community has a lot to offer...

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  • Alaska in September Hero
    Destination Guides

    Alaska in September: A Complete Guide to Visiting in Autumn

    June 16, 2023 / 2 Comments

    Crisp mornings where you can see your breath. Cold sunlight on golden leaves. The chance to spot the aurora dancing in the sky... September is a great month to visit Alaska – especially when you know how to prepare and make the most of it...

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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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