Today our cruise ship arrived at Hubbard Glacier, and it was absolutely spectacular. I’ve never seen anything like it before – it reminded me of the feeling you get when seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time. We were lucky to have clear skies, which made the view even more stunning.
Aside from the glacier itself, we had fun scanning the shoreline with our binoculars and were excited to spot a few bears. That was such a cool moment!
Today is cruise day! We started the morning with a partial view of Mount Denali. Since it stays light all night, I kept waking up to check if the clouds had cleared enough to reveal the mountain. By morning, we could see a bit of the base, but the summit was still hidden. Maybe next time.
After leaving Talkeetna, we visited a nature preserve and rescue center where we saw bears, moose, foxes, and wolves. It was a fun stop, even though we were only there for about 30 minutes before getting back on the road.
We had a quick lunch in Anchorage, then continued on to Whittier, where our cruise ship, the Norwegian Jade, was waiting for us. Now it’s time to settle in and enjoy cruise life!
Today we traveled to Talkeetna, but our first stop was at a dog mushing organization where we learned about the sport and how the dogs are cared for. We even got to hold some puppies, which helps with their socialization. It was such a fun experience, and now I’m really interested in following the Iditarod this year.
The rest of the day was spent in Talkeetna, where we shopped, ate, had a few drinks, and soaked in the local vibe. It was a great time all around!
Photo info: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/200 sec, ISO80 “Moose” Denali, 2025
Today we took a park bus tour through Denali National Park. Along the way, we learned about the park’s history, how it was founded and developed, and the different types of wildlife that call it home. The tour was interesting and informative, though it was a little disappointing that the cloud cover blocked any views of Mount Denali.
After the tour and a stop at the Visitors Center, a few of us went for a walk along the Nenana River. It was part walk, part hike, and a great way to enjoy the natural beauty of the area. Later, we met up with the rest of our group for dinner and a drink. It was a good day overall, filled with learning, fresh air, and a bit of exercise.
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/670 sec, ISO80 “Train to Denali” Alaska, 2025
Today we took the train from Fairbanks to Denali. The scenery was breathtaking! We got to enjoy a nice breakfast and coffee in the dining car while gazing out on the Alaskan wilderness. It made for a good memory.
Once we arrived in town, we got on our tour bus and visited a visitor center, followed by a stop at 49th State Brewing. There, we took photos with the bus that was used in the filming of Into the Wild. I’ve read the book and seen the movie, so it was mildly interesting to see it in person. After snapping a few pictures, we returned to our hotel to relax for the evening.
