On the Road | Alaska & the Inside Passage 2023

Destination Experience Scorecard: 92 | A Place That Lives for the Light

A Cruise into the Wild Unknown

The Story

In the summer of 2023, I set out for Alaska by way of Seattle. It was my first time in the Pacific Northwest, and I could feel the energy building as my flight landed. I arrived four days ahead of schedule to explore the city, take in the views, and soak up the unique vibe that Seattle wears so effortlessly. I stayed at the Four Seasons down by Pike Place Market—a prime location for wandering and the perfect spot to retreat after long days on foot. I didn’t rent a car. I didn’t need to. Everything I needed was within reach: fresh oysters, local beer, wild sunsets, and a few quiet moments to get lost in it all.

After those first few solo days, my friends arrived, and the second half of the journey began—a seven-day cruise through the Inside Passage. We stopped in Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, and Victoria, B.C. I’d been looking forward to this part of the trip for months. It was my first time seeing Alaska, and I was itching to photograph it. But even with a camera in hand, I found myself constantly stunned by its scale—glaciers calving, icebergs drifting, mountains that swallowed the horizon. Sailing at a slow five knots, you fall into a rhythm that feels like meditation. The quiet is what hit me most.

Each port had its own story to tell. Juneau buzzed like a small city with unexpected energy. In Skagway, I had my busiest day—starting with an early morning ocean skiff tour, spotting bald eagles and even a bear, then moving straight into a surreal helicopter flight to a glacier. We hiked the ice, drank glacier water, and stood still in that otherworldly quiet that only comes from standing on something that’s been frozen for centuries. Ketchikan was more relaxed: a hike with new friends, a walk along the salmon river, and a crab lunch that made me pause mid-bite. Victoria, though brief, left a soft impression—gardens in bloom, a warm golden hour, and the kind of harbor views that make you want to linger a little longer.

I came home with thousands of photos, but not a single one could quite capture how it felt to be there. That’s what makes this trip stick. It wasn’t just the beauty—it was the stillness, the adrenaline, the company, the spontaneity. One night in Seattle, before the cruise even started, I sat in a local bar, a couple beers deep, and decided I wasn’t ready to go home after Alaska. So I changed my flight. Booked a trip to the Big Island of Hawai‘i. Because sometimes the only way to end a trip like this… is to keep going.

Sailing the Inside Passage

After those first few days in Seattle, my friends flew in and we set off on a seven-day cruise through the Inside Passage—stopping in Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, and Victoria, B.C. I had been looking forward to this part of the trip for months. It was my first time visiting Alaska, and I was eager to photograph the region, though I quickly realized just how overwhelming its beauty really is. Towering fjords, calving glaciers, drifting icebergs, and wild landscapes—cruising at five knots or less through such scenery was a powerful, almost meditative experience.

Each port had its own unique personality.

• Juneau felt city-like and bustling.

• Skagway was a classic fjord town.

• Ketchikan had that same rugged, tucked-into-the-cliffs charm.

• Victoria, B.C.—the largest and most polished—offered a distinctly different coastal vibe, yet still grounded in charm.

Moments that Stuck

In Juneau, I joined a whale-watching tour on a small, intimate boat—just five other guests and a three-person crew. I met some great people with stories and adventures of their own, which added to the fun.

In Ketchikan, I went on a hike with a couple I’d met on the cruise. We spent the day walking along the salmon river and through the harbor area, then had lunch at a local spot where I enjoyed fresh crab and classic Alaskan cuisine.

Skagway was my busiest day.
I started with a morning ocean adventure on a zodiac-style skiff, spotting eagles and even a bear—though we did run over a log at one point, which brought the boat to a sudden stop. Later that day, I lifted off on a glacier helicopter tour. Clear skies, perfect 60-degree weather, and breathtaking aerial views of Alaska’s wild interior led us into a deep valley. We hiked across a massive glacier, drank glacier water, and just… took it all in. I was lost in the moment—reminded of Tuscany in that same “I can’t believe I’m here” kind of way.

Our final stop was Victoria, B.C., where blooming waterfront gardens, cozy bars, and the warm colors of a setting sun made the city feel like a postcard come to life.

Why I Travel

Alaska was a phenomenal trip. I learned a lot, saw a lot, and experienced things I’d never done before. It was the kind of journey that stays with you—where the memories feel vivid and the feeling of wonder lingers long after you’re home.

The region’s raw beauty was overwhelming in the best way. I came back with thousands of photos, yet none of them fully captured what it felt like to be there. Every stop offered something unexpected—new connections, incredible meals, spontaneous hikes, thrilling rides, and quiet moments of awe. It was a reminder of why I travel: to feel present, to chase inspiration, and to lose myself in places that make me feel alive.

Alaska wasn’t just a destination—it was a reset. A deep breath.
The kind of place that shifts your perspective and expands your sense of what’s possible.

So naturally, the night before I even left Seattle for Alaska—maybe after one too many local beers—I drunk-booked a trip to Hawai‘i. Just one more little detour. I ended up changing my flight home and heading to the Big Island instead.

Because sometimes, when the adventure has good momentum, you just keep riding the wave.

Until the next adventure.
— Jay

Destination Experience Scorecard: 92 | A Place That Lives for the Light

Here’s how Alaska scored through the lens of On the Road Photography.