Explore the journey — one trail, museum, meal, and memory at a time.
Alaska State Museum
After another rainy morning in Juneau, I set out in search of coffee and ended up spending most of the day at the Alaska State Museum. Exhibits on Alaska Native cultures, Russian settlement, mining, whaling, the Exxon Valdez disaster, and the Japanese invasion of the Aleutian Islands offered a deeper understanding of Alaska's history. An unexpected highlight was a collection of clothing by Haida designer Dorothy Grant, whose work blended Indigenous art with contemporary fashion.
Mendenhall Glacier Nugget Falls Trail
A cold, wet day in Juneau eventually led to one of Alaska's most famous landscapes. When the rain finally eased, I headed to Mendenhall Glacier and followed the trail to Nugget Falls. Along the way I photographed fog-covered mountains, learned how dramatically the glacier has retreated, met visitors from France and India, and captured one of my favorite images of the trip.
Haines to Juneau
What began as an uncertain morning on the ferry standby list turned into a scenic crossing from Haines to Juneau aboard the Alaska Marine Highway. The journey included mountain views rising from the sea, hours on deck with a camera, gulls following the ferry, abstract patterns in the water, and a scramble to find a campground after arriving in Juneau.