Explore the journey — one trail, museum, meal, and memory at a time.
Prudhoe Bay
My goals for Deadhorse were simple: reach the Arctic Ocean, experience the Dalton Highway and stop at the Arctic Circle. Before heading south, I spent a day exploring Prudhoe Bay, standing in the surprisingly comfortable shallows of the Beaufort Sea and meeting another remarkable cast of people along the way.
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.
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.
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.
Tillamook Creamery
From a quiet overnight spot above the beach in Newport to a memorable encounter with a local artist, the day unfolds along Oregon’s coast. A stop at Tillamook Creamery brings more food than expected—and consequences—before a misdirected drive to Cape Meares Lighthouse adds one more unexpected turn to a day that didn’t quite go as planned.
Oregon Coast Aquarium
Driving the Oregon coast from Florence to Newport turned into more than just another stretch of Highway 101. A stop at the Oregon Coast Aquarium delivered unexpected moments—from glowing jellyfish to close encounters with puffins—followed by a quiet overnight near the ocean. One of those days that ends up being better than planned.
Point Arena Lighthouse and Redwoods
A foggy coastal morning near Point Arena leads to a slow drive north along Route 1, with dramatic cliffs, quiet towns, and reflective shoreline scenes. The route turns inland toward U.S. Route 101 and the Avenue of the Giants, where towering redwoods, muted forest floors, and a remote overnight stop mark a complete shift from ocean to deep forest.
Bodega Bay, CA
What started as a quick stop at Bodega Head turned into a full day on the cliffs. Between the wildflowers, coastal views, shifting light, and even a sheriff’s helicopter training exercise, this stretch of coastline delivered far more than expected. It felt like a reset after a rough month and a reminder of why I’m out here in the first place.