Explore the journey — one trail, museum, meal, and memory at a time.
Denali: A Summer Day
After a busy week in Denali, I finally slowed down. I spent the afternoon exploring exhibits at the Denali Visitor Center, learning more about the people, artists and history of the park, wandering through the Alaska Railroad depot, and wondering whether I could squeeze in a train ride to Fairbanks. Later, I drove toward Savage River with the windows down, stopping for wildlife and photographing the evening light moving across the mountains.
Denali: Tundra Wilderness Tour
An early morning Tundra Wilderness Tour took me deep into Denali National Park, with grizzlies, caribou, Arctic ground squirrels and plenty of “bear rocks” along the way. That evening, a fascinating presentation on permafrost, wildfire history and Alaska’s changing landscape gave me an entirely different way of looking at Denali.
Talkeetna Chase Bike Trail
Rain kept me busy sorting through over a thousand photographs before the skies cleared for a bike ride along Talkeetna's Chase Trail. Along the way I discovered Alaska birch syrup, sampled surprisingly good birch ice cream, enjoyed a local nitro stout at the Denali Brewpub, and ended another relaxing day in one of Alaska's most welcoming small towns.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Chitina to Valdez
Rain, rushing water, and low clouds set the tone for a slow day in Alaska. While driving back toward Glennallen for fuel, I stopped for foggy landscapes, puzzled over a lone truck sitting in a field beneath a massive cloud bank, and eventually found a beautiful campsite where two rivers met beneath snow-covered mountains. Sometimes the best days are the unplanned ones.
Salmon Fishing in the Copper River
A lazy catch-up day turned into a memorable Alaska travel day, with a walk across the Kuskulana River Bridge, views of the Copper River, salmon fishing near Chitina, fish wheels in the current, and a quiet riverside camp for the night.
Father’s Day In Remote Alaska
After a long day exploring Kennecott, Root Glacier, and McCarthy, I spent Father's Day parked beside the McCarthy Road reflecting on family, retirement, and life on the road. From blogging and photo editing to planning Valdez and enjoying a rare mosquito-free afternoon, it was a quiet day that reminded me how connected we can remain, even from remote Alaska.
Kennecott Copper Mill, Root Glacier, McCarthy, AK
What looked like a simple day trip to McCarthy became a lesson in Alaska logistics, mining history, and glacier landscapes. After navigating the infamous McCarthy Road, I toured the massive Kennecott Copper Mill, learned how one of the richest copper mines in history operated, and then hiked toward Root Glacier under gathering storm clouds before making the long journey back.
Caribou Creek Trail
After learning that snow and high water had made the Skookum Volcano Trail a questionable choice, I shifted plans and hiked the Caribou Creek Trail along Nabesna Road in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Along the way were interesting conversations, a mysterious abandoned jacket, relentless mosquitoes, stream crossings, and a quiet backcountry cabin tucked deep into Alaska's wilderness.