Riverboat Discovery

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 2.2200000286119mm, f/2.2, 1/850 sec, ISO50
“Riverboat” Fairbanks, 2025

We spent the first day of our Alaska trip in Fairbanks, with most of the day aboard the Riverboat Discovery III. During the cruise, we learned a lot about life in Alaska. We watched a bush plane take off and land right next to the boat, saw a dog mushing demonstration, and visited Chena Village where we learned about native Alaskan culture. It was such a cool experience, and I really enjoyed it.

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/250 sec, ISO64
“Sun Hood” Fairbanks, 2025
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/120 sec, ISO100
“Smokehouse” Fairbanks, 2025

Austin to Chicago to Fairbanks

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/125 sec, ISO50
“Leaving Austin” Austin, 2025

Today marks the start of our Alaska vacation. The plan is to fly to Fairbanks and meet up with the rest of my family, who are flying up from California. Unfortunately, the cruise line booked Mariko and Bay on a different flight, so I am traveling solo today.

I really liked the colorful lights in the pedestrian tunnel at O’Hare and had to take a photo. Since I had a long layover, I used one of our two visits per year to the United Club. It was nice to enjoy a hot meal and a glass of wine before the six-hour flight to Fairbanks.

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/60 sec, ISO640
“O’Hare” Chicago, 2025

I arrived at the hotel in Fairbanks around 8:45 pm and met up with my family. They had arrived earlier in the afternoon and were ready for bed. It felt strange because it was still bright outside, almost like daytime. Once I noticed that the sun wouldn’t be setting, I suddenly felt very tired too. It was a long day, but a great start to the trip!

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/1600 sec, ISO80
“Hello Alaska” Alaska, 2025