When Alma departed from the church in the city of Zarahemla, he "went over upon the east of the river Sidon, into the valley of Gideon" (Alma 6:7). The reader should note that Alma went "over" "into" a "valley" (which the Amlicite battle infers might have been somewhat above Zarahemla but not quite as much as the land of Minon--Alma 2:24). In Alma 8:1, we find that Alma apparently returned to Zarahemla without any mention of any populated areas in between the valley of Gideon and the city of Zarahemla. Thus there might not have been any other populated place on the east of the river and in that direction; or if there was one, Alma apparently did not feel compelled to mention his visit there. The reader should note that while the phrase "he went over" might refer to elevation, it might also refer to a body of water. For example, we find in Alma 2:15 that the river Sidon ran "by" the land of Zarahemla on it's east side. Thus, Alma apparently could have gone over the river in order to reach the valley of Gideon. [Alan C. Miner, Personal Notes]