Day 1: Friday – The Journey Begins
“I couldn’t believe it—the day had finally come! My family and I were headed to Alaska, a place I’d only seen in documentaries. As soon as we boarded the plane, I was glued to the window. The thought of glaciers, wild animals, and endless mountains had me buzzing with excitement. My brother and I spent the flight imagining all the cool stuff we’d see—bears, whales, maybe even a bald eagle! It felt like we were already in the middle of an adventure before we even left the ground.”
Day 2: Saturday – Anchorage Arrival
“The moment we stepped off the plane in Anchorage, I knew Alaska was different. The air was so crisp it felt like it could wake you up better than coffee. We spent the day exploring the city, and the Anchorage Museum was surprisingly cool. I didn’t think I’d get into the exhibits, but they had some awesome stuff on Alaska’s history and even some futuristic tech they use to track wildlife. Oh, and the seafood? Fresh and tasty—I couldn’t stop talking about it!”
Day 3: Sunday – Talkeetna’s Charm
“Talkeetna felt like one of those towns you’d read about in old adventure books. It was small, but it had personality. My favorite part was hiking in the surrounding woods. There’s this app I found that helps you identify plants and animals, so I spent the hike trying to beat my brother at naming all the different plants we saw. Denali was looming in the background the whole time, making everything feel like a postcard. The town had these quirky little stores too—my brother loved hunting for souvenirs.”
Day 4: Monday – All Aboard!
“Boarding the cruise ship was next-level awesome. I’ve always been into gadgets and technology, so I couldn’t wait to see how this huge ship worked. I even asked one of the crew members how they navigate through icy waters, and that led me to downloading a tracking app to follow our route. It made me feel like I was part of the crew, keeping an eye on where we were headed. Watching the sun set on the deck that night, I knew this was going to be one unforgettable trip.”
Day 5: Tuesday – Hubbard Glacier Majesty
“The Hubbard Glacier was unreal. I’ve seen photos, but nothing compares to standing on the deck, staring at this massive wall of ice. When chunks of it fell into the water, the sound was so loud, it made my heart race. I took a ton of photos, trying out some photography tips I found online. But the coolest part was learning how glaciers like this one are changing because of climate change. It made me think about how these things might not be around forever, which is kinda crazy.”
Day 6: Wednesday – Sitka’s Wilderness
“Sitka was like a mix of history and nature all rolled into one. We got to carve our own mini totem poles at the Sitka National Historical Park—it wasn’t as easy as it looked, but it was a cool way to connect with the native culture. Then we visited a wildlife rehab center where they take care of injured animals. I met a bald eagle up close, which was way more intense than seeing one from afar. I left Sitka with a real appreciation for how much people here care about their wildlife.”
Day 7: Thursday – Glaciers and Juneau
“Endicott Arm was one of the most peaceful spots I’ve ever been. The ship cruised through these icy cliffs, and the water was so still, it was like a mirror. I felt like we were the only people in the world. In Juneau, we rode the Mount Roberts Tramway all the way to the top. The view? Insane. You could see the entire city below and mountains as far as your eyes could reach. My brother and I started a little geography quiz with my parents, testing who could name more of the glaciers and mountains we saw.”
Day 8: Friday – Skagway and the Gold Rush
“Skagway was like stepping back in time. We hopped on this old train called the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway, and I swear, it felt like we were chasing after gold like the prospectors did back in the day. The history was wild—people actually used to carry hundreds of pounds of supplies through these rugged mountains. After hearing all those stories, my brother and I had to try gold panning ourselves. Spoiler alert: we found a few flakes, but no jackpot!”
Day 9: Saturday – Ketchikan’s Coastal Charm
“Ketchikan was all about the water and the wilderness. We went on a boat tour through Misty Fjords, and the cliffs and waterfalls looked straight out of a fantasy movie. I was on high alert with my binoculars, spotting seals and even a few orcas! My wildlife app came in handy again—I was identifying animals left and right. We ended the day at the Totem Heritage Center where I got to learn how these massive poles tell stories. It made me think about how people here connect their past with the present.”
Day 10: Sunday – Cruising the Inside Passage
“This was probably the most chill day of the whole trip. We sailed through the Inside Passage, and it was just… peaceful. My brother and I had a little whale-watching competition, and I totally won. We spotted a pod of humpback whales, and I couldn’t believe how huge they were. It was a perfect day to just relax, watch the scenery, and reflect on all the amazing stuff we’d seen so far.”
Day 11: Monday – Vancouver, BC Arrival
“Arriving in Vancouver felt like jumping back into the modern world after being surrounded by nature. My brother and I rented bikes, and we rode through Stanley Park, which was fun and surprisingly educational. There are all these hidden facts about the park’s history, and I found myself stopping to read plaques along the way. Granville Island was another highlight—there was so much art, and the street performers kept us entertained for hours.”
Day 12: Tuesday – Rest and Reflections
“Coming home felt like the end of a dream. We spent the day reminiscing, and I even put together a digital scrapbook of the whole trip. Alaska wasn’t just about seeing cool sights; it was about learning how nature, culture, and history all fit together. I realized how much we discovered as a family, and how it changed the way I see the world. Honestly, this trip gave me memories I’ll never forget.”
