Explore the journey — one trail, museum, meal, and memory at a time.
Creamer’s Waterfowl Refuge
I spent the day exploring Creamer’s Field in Fairbanks, where Sandhill Cranes gathered in the open fields before their fall migration. After photographing the cranes, I followed the trails through the boreal forest to Wander Lake and the Chickadee Loop, eventually circling back to the old white dairy barns.
UofA Museum of the North
I spent most of the day at the University of Alaska Museum of the North in Fairbanks, wandering through Alaska’s history, art and science. From permafrost and Pleistocene animals to Blue Babe and The Place Where You Go to Listen, this was one of those museums where I kept finding reasons to slow down.
Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum
The Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum wasn’t on my original Fairbanks itinerary, but a recommendation from my Dalton Highway driver changed that. Inside I found an extraordinary collection of antique automobiles, Alaska motoring history and vintage clothing—and some unexpectedly interesting photographic subjects.
Dalton Highway to Fairbanks, AK
After visiting Deadhorse and the Arctic Ocean, I headed south to Fairbanks on the Dalton Highway. The long ride crossed the Brooks Range, the Arctic Circle and the Yukon River, following the Alaska Pipeline much of the way. After seeing the road firsthand—and the damage it can do to vehicles—I was very glad my campervan was safely parked in Fairbanks.
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.
Flight to Prudhoe Bay, AK
Flying to Deadhorse felt different from the moment everyone lined up for the plane. Oil field workers, hunters, a very basic camp, two cyclists finishing a 2½-year ride from Argentina, and a surprisingly memorable dinner made my first day on Alaska’s North Slope a small adventure of its own.
A Week Between Denali and Fairbanks
I spent my final days in Denali exploring Cantwell, hiking Horseshoe Lake and trying to master my Garmin 67i before driving north to Fairbanks. That's where the week changed. A noise I'd been hearing from the rear of the van turned out to be a brake pad worn completely to metal, leaving me parked for several days while Ford searched for parts and me wondering how 7 mm of brake pad disappeared so quickly.
Denali Sled Dogs and Bike Ride
I visited Denali’s historic sled dog kennels to learn how these working dogs have helped rangers protect the park for more than a century. Later, I traded dog power for pedal power with a 20-mile bike ride, including ten miles of climbing up the Denali Park Road.
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.
Denali: East Fork Discovery Hike
A full day in Denali's backcountry took me across an icy river, through colorful tundra, and into grizzly country on a ranger-led East Fork Discovery Hike. Along the way I learned about the Pretty Rocks Landslide, photographed wildlife, and experienced one of the most peaceful landscapes I've encountered in Alaska.
Denali National Park
My first day in Denali National Park was spent settling into the campground, talking with Ranger Kate, learning how the park's wilderness experience is different from most national parks, exploring the visitor center, and preparing for my first guided backcountry hike. Along the way I met interesting people, discovered a unique rock-filled retaining wall, and realized this visit would be unlike any national park I'd experienced before.
Catching Up Before Denali
Before heading to Denali, I slowed down in Talkeetna to organize photographs, build new galleries for this site, work from the local library, meet travelers from Italy, enjoy a memorable pizza night, make a quick trip to Wasilla, and finalize my plans for visiting the Arctic Ocean.
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.
Exploring Historic Talkeetna After a Denali Flight
After my Denali glacier flight, I spent the afternoon wandering historic Talkeetna. From its railroad history and colorful downtown to Denali views, Bell's Interpretive Trail, local shops, and a memorable dinner, it was the perfect way to experience one of Alaska's most popular small towns.
Denali Grand Tour with Glacier Landing
A perfect Alaska morning takes me on K2 Aviation's Denali Grand Tour with Glacier Landing. From braided rivers and towering granite peaks to a landing on the Ruth Glacier inside the Don Sheldon Amphitheater, this flight offered some of the most spectacular scenery I've experienced in Alaska.
Chugach State Park
A rare sunny Alaska day leads me to Chugach State Park, where I hike the quiet Eydlu Bena Loop Trail, come face-to-face with a hawk hidden in the forest, photograph wildflowers overlooking Eklutna Lake, and end the evening relaxing in Wasilla after watching SpaceX's Starship launch.
Preparing for the Road North
Anchorage was supposed to be a quick stop before heading north. Instead, it became two days of running errands, searching for brake service, learning about Alaska's shortage of mechanics, working from the van, and preparing for the drive toward Talkeetna, Denali, Fairbanks, and eventually the Arctic Circle.
Ninilchik, AK
Rain forced me to slow down in Ninilchik, Alaska, where I spent hours photographing the historic Holy Transfiguration Church and its remarkable overgrown cemetery. Between rain showers I explored the area's Russian history, searched for Old Ninilchik Village, and reflected on how nature quietly reclaims even our oldest stories.
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.