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
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Latest Stories
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.
How to Take More Cinematic Photos in Alaska
Learn cinematic phone photography using Alaska’s visual principles: light, scale, weather, and restraint that work anywhere in the world.
The Alaska Daypack System: What to Bring for Alaska Weather, Warmth, and Everyday Adventure
A practical guide to what to pack in an Alaska daypack, including layers, footwear, weather essentials, and the small things that make Alaska days more comfortable.
How to Choose Your Alaska Cruise Itinerary (Using the Alaska Travel Compass)
Choosing an Alaska cruise shouldn’t feel like a part-time job. In this guide, I use my Alaska Travel Compass framework to help you match your why, when, and where to an itinerary that feels like you not just whatever happened to be on sale.
Alaska’s Grandeur and Magnificence: Tiny Humans in a Vast, Wild Place
A quiet story about why I’m drawn to tiny humans in big Alaska places—and how that turned into a limited edition fine art print collection: Alaska’s Grandeur and Magnificence.
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 (Visitor 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.
Best Alaska Cruise Ports for First-Timers: Skagway vs Ketchikan
If you’re deciding between Skagway or Ketchikan, both offer unforgettable Alaskan experiences — but each has its own personality. Skagway is best for mountain views, historic railways, and sweeping alpine photography, while Ketchikanshines with rainforest trails, totem culture, and wildlife encounters. Whether you crave the drama of the White Pass train or the calm of Misty Fjords, this guide compares tours, weather tips, and photo highlights to help you choose the perfect port for your Alaska cruise day.
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.
September Shift in Southeast Alaska: Quiet Cues of Fall
Colder air, still water, fog through trees—here’s how fall arrives in Southeast Alaska, plus a 10-minute field guide to slow down.
Autumn in Alaska: Fog, Stillness, and the Art of Being Present
Autumn in Alaska doesn’t drift in slowly. It arrives almost overnight—swift, certain, and unafraid to change the landscape with its touch. One moment, the trees hold onto the fullness of summer; the next, fog clings to the evergreens and the air tastes of woodsmoke and damp moss.