I was hoping to be at the pinnacle of good health at the time of this Alaska visit, but, sadly, it was not in the cards for me this spring. I got food poisoning over spring break (in Galveston, TX) and it took FOREVER to get my normal strength back. I wanted to keep writing as a part of my routine as well. With time constraints being what they were, I couldn't feasibly do both with any justice. Still, I was eager to challenge myself a little in Alaska. And Valdez seemed like the perfect place to break in my hiking boots.

My friend (who always seems to know someone who knows something) suggested the Solomon Gulch Hatchery for our first hike attempt. A friend of hers recommended it for the views and light foot traffic.

I'm not an avid camper/hiker/outdoorsman, and I wasn't really qualified to figure out where this place might be, but I was delegated the task, nonetheless. At a snail's pace, I was eventually able to download the "AllTrails" app and soon figured out that the "Salmon Hatchery"—the information I was given—was really the "Solomon Hatchery." I wasn't sure everyone in our group could handle a "moderate" hike of this length, though (4.3 miles). Without any better suggestions, I made the executive decision to go for it anyway.

We lost my nine-year-old's cooperation about a mile in. The trail was mostly uphill, it was warm for our level of exertion, and moderately buggy that day. And my daughter isn't the athletic or adventurous sort and hates bugs with a passion I've never witnessed before. She went back to the RV with her dad.

The trail was more challenging than most of the adults in our group would have liked to admit. Alaska isn't easy, but this was one of those examples where the struggle was worth it. If I had to vote an experience "most photogenic," this hike would have taken the prize. 😍

The first shot, about fifty yards in. I didn't think it would get much better than this, but then it did, again and again.

My son had a knack for making everyone nervous. I had a knack for taking his picture anyway, and borrowing the pictures he'd take, dangling too close to the edge.

We made it! Doesn't it look like an Irish Spring soap ad?

Valdez was a worthwhile endeavor for this picture alone. Wish we could have stayed longer!

Photos by Andrew (my eldest), the waterfall over-enthusiast...