Explore the journey — one trail, museum, meal, and memory at a time.
Skagway's KlondikeGold Rush Stories
I spent the day exploring Skagway's history, starting at the excellent Skagway Museum and ending with the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park film. Along the way I learned about Soapy Smith, the White Pass railroad, Buffalo Soldiers, and the hardships faced by thousands of stampeders heading for Dawson City. A stop at the historic Mascot Saloon and an evening hike around Lower Dewey Lake rounded out one of the most interesting days I've had in Alaska.
North From Whitehorse, YT
A short drive from Whitehorse turned into a day of unexpected discoveries. I followed a side road to historic Mendenhall Landing, photographed one of the largest beaver lodges I've ever seen, explored the Kluane National Park Visitor Centre, and learned about the Southern Tutchone people. With rain, wind, and low clouds hiding the mountains, Yukon reminded me that conditions can change quickly.
Hoh Rainforest
I spent the day exploring the Hoh Rain Forest in Olympic National Park, one of the wettest and most unique forests in the United States. Moss-covered trees, towering Sitka spruce, elk along the roadside, and conversations with fellow travelers and photographers turned a long day of driving into one of the most memorable experiences of my Washington journey.
Lake Crescent: Marymere Falls Trail
After a quiet night parked in Port Angeles, I spent the afternoon hiking the Marymere Falls Trail near Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park. Moss-covered trees, emerald green forests, Barnes Creek, and soft evening light made this one of the most peaceful hikes I’ve done in Washington. The day ended beside the water before finding another quiet street to sleep for the night.
Hurricane Ridge to Mount Angeles
A fog-filled drive up Hurricane Ridge turned into one of the most physically demanding hikes I’ve done in years. From steep snowfields and loose mountain trails to wildlife encounters, mountain photography, and an unexpected friendship with an Army trainer newly arrived from Alaska, this day in Olympic National Park became far more memorable than I expected when I left the van that morning.
Crater Lake
A quiet drive from Bend to Crater Lake turned into one of the most memorable days of the trip. Lava fields, snow-covered roads, changing weather, and the deep blue caldera made it feel like visiting the park at exactly the right moment—just before the crowds and long before the snow fully disappeared.
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument Hike
I hiked to the old Victoria Mine before 8 a.m., walking four miles through saguaros, organ pipe cactus, cholla, and creosote bush in the Sonoran Desert. After signing out at the trail register, I left Arizona, stopped in Ajo for coffee, photographed a massive desert aqueduct carrying Colorado River water, and made my way toward Lake Mohave for the night.
Golden Spike / Spiral Jetty
A sluggish morning at the Sun Tunnels turned into a long, careful drive across Utah’s back roads—past sheep herders on horseback, trailers arranged like small inward-facing communities, and miles of washboard dirt—ending with quiet reflection at Golden Spike and a solitary sunset arrival at Spiral Jetty.
Capitol Reef National Park and Butch Cassidy
A slow morning in Capitol Reef National Park turned into a day shaped by history. From the working orchards of Fruita and the massive Fremont cottonwoods known as the Silent Sentinels, to roadside petroglyphs and a humble stop at Butch Cassidy’s childhood home, the drive west became a reminder that this landscape has been lived in, marked, and worked for centuries.
Harpers Ferry - Day 2
I started my day near Harpers Ferry, grabbed breakfast in Charles Town, then hiked the Maryland Heights Loop—the steep climb, the fort, and the overlook were worth every step. After lunch at The Rabbit Hole and watching a freight train blast through town, I caught sunset at Antietam and ended the night quietly at Planet Fitness.