Explore the journey — one trail, museum, meal, and memory at a time.
Homer - Grewingk Glacier Hike
Up before sunrise in a Homer church parking lot, then coffee at Coal Town before a water taxi across Kachemak Bay. The hike to Grewingk Glacier brought a black bear with cubs, porcupine scratches, and dozens of rock cairns, ending at a lake ringed by mega tsunami warning signs, an old herring saltery, and wildflowers worthy of Van Gogh.
Homer, AK
Heavy rain forced me indoors, but the Pratt Museum turned out to be one of the highlights of my time in Homer. Exhibits on Alaska's boreal forest, Indigenous history, volcanoes, earthquakes, and the Exxon Valdez oil spill made for an unexpectedly engaging day. After lunch at Fat Olives, I spent the evening exploring the Homer Spit, talking with a fishing charter captain, enjoying authentic Italian gelato, and ending the day with another reminder that some of the best travel experiences come from unexpected conversations.
Cooper Landing (2 Days)
Rain followed me from Seward into Cooper Landing, but it didn't stop me from hiking to Russian River Falls. What began as a day photographing salmon became something entirely different after a serious accident near the falls brought Fire and EMS racing up the trail. Between the rescue, hours spent photographing salmon, and conversations with strangers from across the country, it became one of the more memorable days of my Alaska journey.
Exit Glacier and Seward, AK
After finally feeling healthy again, I returned to Exit Glacier on a perfect blue-sky afternoon. A moderate hike through Kenai Fjords National Park led to spectacular glacier views, vibrant wildflowers, and unexpected conversations with hikers from around the world. I finished the day with sunset photography and gelato along Seward's beautiful waterfront.
Seward: Alaska SeaLife Center
A rainy day in Seward didn't stop the adventure. After taking refuge inside the Alaska SeaLife Center, I explored the town's historic buildings, photographed Resurrection Bay during a brief break in the weather, and finished the evening with a drive to Exit Glacier. Sometimes the best travel days are the ones that refuse to follow the original plan.
Seward AK
After an incredible day exploring Kenai Fjords National Park, illness and steady rain forced me to slow down. What began as two quiet days of coffee shops, bakeries, and photo editing turned into an unexpected journey through Seward's history, from the 1964 Good Friday earthquake and the original Iditarod Trail to a fascinating Tribal Nations map that offered a new perspective on the incredible diversity of Indigenous cultures across the Americas.
Kenai Fjords National Park Extended Glacier Cruise:
A full day aboard Major Marine Tours' Kenai Fjords National Park Extended Glacier Cruise turned into one of the highlights of my Alaska journey. From bubble-net feeding humpback whales and towering tidewater glaciers to puffins, sea lions, and breathtaking coastal scenery, this cruise delivered unforgettable wildlife and landscapes.
Anchorage to Seward, AK
My final day in Anchorage wasn't quite what I expected. Between feeling sick, buying more camera gear than planned, and making the drive to Seward, I was focused on one thing: being ready for the Kenai Fjords glacier cruise the next morning. I just hoped whatever bug I had would disappear overnight.
Dutch Harbor WWII History Museum
Getting from Dutch Harbor back to Anchorage should have been easy. Instead, the day turned into a series of delays, missed opportunities, and unexpected conversations. Along the way I finally visited the Aleutian World War II Visitor Center, where the story of the Japanese bombing and the Lost Villages gave me a much deeper appreciation for the people who call these remote islands home.
Understanding Unalaska / Dutch Harbor
The best way to understand Dutch Harbor isn't from a guidebook—it's from someone who has spent a lifetime living there. Dennis and Lynda took me beyond the familiar landmarks to explore World War II history, hidden military sites, local stories, volcanic landscapes, and the geological forces that continue to shape Unalaska today.
Dutch Harbor, Amaknak Island, Unalaska
After arriving in Dutch Harbor, I walked from Amaknak Island across the Iliuliuk Bridge into the City of Unalaska. Along the way I photographed bald eagles, explored World War II history, visited one of North America's oldest Russian Orthodox churches, and spent time with a local family harvesting salmon.
Between Adventures
After the Fourth of July excitement in Anchorage, I slowed down for two quiet days of writing, photo editing, organizing gear, and preparing for my flight to Dutch Harbor. Between catching up on work, reflecting on the journey so far, and reviewing the Anchorage Ship Creek RV Park, these ordinary days became an important transition before heading into Alaska's Aleutian Islands.
Happy 250th America
I missed the Anchorage Fourth of July parade but still ended up with a full day downtown. The festival at Delaney Park, conversations with locals, a Hefeweizen at the 49th State Brewery, and fireworks from a local's viewing spot made for a day that didn't go quite as planned—but worked out well anyway.
Anchorage Cycling Trails
Anchorage surprised me. What started as a casual bike ride turned into an afternoon exploring miles of interconnected trails, watching moose from a safe distance, learning about the 1964 earthquake at Earthquake Park, and discovering just how bike-friendly Alaska's largest city really is.
Potter Marsh
A slow day at Potter Marsh near Anchorage turned into an easy wildlife walk with Hooded Mergansers, Tree Swallows, Bald Eagles, Sandhill Cranes, and a female Mallard. Later, I drove south along Turnagain Arm to Beluga Point, watched the tide move across the mudflats, and tried once again to spot Dall sheep high on the cliffs.
Anchorage Museum
A day in Anchorage turned into five hours at the Anchorage Museum exploring Alaska's history, geology, Native cultures, and art. Afterwards I photographed reflections in downtown buildings before ending the evening at Lake Hood watching floatplanes and a pair of Greater Scaup go about their business.
Drive To Anchorage
Leaving Valdez, I expected a short drive to Anchorage. Instead, the day turned into a nine-hour journey with a stop at the Wrangell-St. Elias Visitor Center, an unexpected conversation about beavers with a park ranger, colorful mountain landscapes, views of the Matanuska Glacier, and a noisy introduction to Anchorage.
Valdez Old Town
Rain turned out to be the perfect excuse to explore the Old Town Museum and the site of the original Valdez. Survivor interviews, recreated buildings, and a driving tour of Old Valdez transformed the 1964 Good Friday Earthquake from history into something deeply personal, revealing how an entire community was rebuilt just a few miles away.
Meares Glacier Tour
The day after kayaking Columbia Glacier, I returned to Prince William Sound aboard the Stan Stephens 26 Glaciers Cruise. Meares Glacier, whales, puffins, bald eagles, sea lions, waterfalls, and unforgettable conversations made this one of the highlights of my Alaska adventure.
Columbia Glacier Kayaking
Experienced a full-day excursion to Columbia Glacier in Prince William Sound, including amazing kayaking among brilliant blue icebergs, harbor seals resting on floating ice, and the thunder of glacier calving. It's an unforgettable opportunity to explore one of Alaska's most spectacular—and rapidly changing—tidewater glaciers near Valdez.