The Journal
Stories, field notes and guidance for seeing Alaska more clearly.
ALASKA EXPLAINED
It’s one of the first questions most visitors ask. The answer begins with mountains, oceans and a frontier that shaped the way Southeast Alaska Connects.
Why Is There No Road to Juneau?
Explore by Destination
Explore Alaska by destination through thoughtful guides, local insight, and stories shaped by time spent here. Start with the place calling you north.
Juneau | Ketchikan | Skagway | Denali | General Alaska
Explore by Planning Stage
Latest Stories
The City With No Road Out
Juneau’s roads end at forest, shoreline, neighborhoods and mountains but the city is far from closed in. This story explores how Alaska’s capital moves beyond the pavement, through trails, ferries and an expansive marine highway.
Field Note: The Week Alaska Tipped Into Summer
A summer field note from Juneau to Kodiak, where lupine, bears and lingering evening light marked the moment Alaska tipped fully into summer.
Field Notes from Juneau: Early June, Blue Breaks, Wet Trails, and Quiet Water
Early June in Juneau is lush, wet, reflective, and still holding snow in the mountains. This field note shares what I noticed this week, from moody trails and quiet water to sudden blue breaks, plus practical advice for visitors arriving in Southeast Alaska now.
Tracy Arm vs. Endicott Arm: What Alaska Cruise Travelers Should Know in 2026
If your Alaska cruise itinerary changed from Tracy Arm to Endicott Arm, here’s what to know about the difference, Dawes Glacier, Sawyer Glacier, and whether the experience is still worth it.
Field Note: The Kind of Alaska You Can’t Schedule
A quiet spring field note from the water near Juneau, Alaska, passing Boy Scout Beach, watching the ferry head toward Skagway, seeing sea lions and a distant humpback, and remembering why some of the best Alaska moments cannot be scheduled.
How to Get to Juneau: Air, Ferry, or Cruise?
Planning your first trip to Juneau? Here is how to get there by air, ferry, or cruise ship and which option is best depending on the kind of Alaska trip you want to have.
Juneau on a Cruise vs. Overnight: Which Is Better for First-Time Visitors?
Trying to decide between seeing Juneau on a cruise stop or staying overnight? Here is how the two experiences differ and which is better for first-time visitors.
A First-Timer’s Guide to Juneau
Visiting Juneau for the first time is unlike visiting almost anywhere else in the United States. Tucked between mountains and ocean, Alaska’s capital feels wild, dramatic, and deeply tied to the natural world. This guide is designed to help first-time visitors experience Juneau well: from what to prioritize and what to skip, to the landscapes, wildlife, and small details that make this place unforgettable.
Alaska Cruise Photography Guide: 12 Shots To Consider (And How to Capture Them)
Local Juneau photographer shares 12 must-have Alaska cruise photos—whales, glaciers, ports, and quiet deck moments—plus simple tips for phone and camera.
Perfect 1-Day in Juneau (Cruise Port Itinerary 2026): Map, Mendenhall & Photo Stops
Cruising to Juneau? Use this local’s 2026 hour-by-hour plan with map, Mendenhall options, realistic timings, and photo tips.
Intentional Living in Alaska’s Autumn: A Slow-Living Guide from Juneau
A practical, heart-calming guide to intentional living in Alaska’s autumn—rituals, micro-adventures, home comforts, tea moments, and mindful prompts.
Is There Uber in Juneau (2026 Update)? Every Way to Get Around Without a Car
Planning Juneau without a rental car? Here’s the 2026 update on rideshare reality in Juneau plus reliable alternatives: taxis, shuttles, buses, walking routes, and day plans from the cruise dock.
A Day in Juneau: Mendenhall Glacier, Nugget Falls, and the Wild Encounters That Stay With You
There’s something about Juneau that never loses its wonder. Even after years of living here, I can step outside and be reminded that Alaska doesn’t just ask you to look—it asks you to feel.
This past week, I wandered out toward Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls, two of Juneau’s most iconic spots. They’ve been photographed thousands of times, yet each visit is a little different. The air feels new, the water crashes a bit louder, and the trails hold fresh surprises.
Alaska Photography Tips | Photographing Orcas in Southeast Alaska
It is always exciting to see Orcas while cruising through the waters of Southeast Alaska. Since they move so quickly and the lighting isn’t always the best, I thought I’d share my top 3 pieces of advice for photographing Orcas.