Turning 40 in Alaska:
A Journey Through Wild Places and Unforgettable Moments
This September, I turned the always-encouraging age of 40. With the possibility of a midlife crisis looming, my wife, Hannah, and a few close friends decided to turn the occasion into something far better: an unforgettable adventure through Alaska.
What followed was a journey filled with remote wilderness, incredible wildlife, unforgettable meals, new friendships, and some of the most memorable moments I’ve ever had behind a camera. But somewhere between the hot springs, glacier-carved lakes, and quiet evenings on the water, the trip became about something more than adventure. It became an opportunity to slow down, disconnect, and simply be present.
Fairbanks: Hot Springs, Sled Dogs, and a Mountain Hike
We kicked things off in Fairbanks, making our way to Chena Hot Springs for a few days of exploring. Our mornings started in the natural hot springs, a pretty incredible way to ease into the day, especially with Alaska’s crisp air surrounding us. We also stopped to say hello to the sled dogs and bundled up for a visit to the resort’s ice bar. Since Chena Hot Springs is quite a drive from Fairbanks we dined in their restaurant. I highly recommend their tomato soup and salad as the ingredients come directly from their geothermal greenhouse.
But my most memorable experience in Chena was hiking up Charlie Dome. There’s something about getting out on a trail, putting in the work (which was enhanced by quite a heavy camera bag), and earning a view that never gets old.
Hannah with the Dogs
Jeff and Rachel spot a Northern Hawk Owl
Jeff and Rachel at Ice Bar
Geothermal Greenhouse
Some of my favorite frames from Chena Hot Springs
Of course, Alaska also gave us a few unexpected moments along the way. On our drive out of Chena making our way to Anchorage, we spotted a moose, and I immediately went into photographer mode. The only problem? I was trying to get out of a rental car with the child locks on. Nothing like a little wildlife-induced panic to keep things interesting. So I thank Hannah and her ever impressive iphone for capturing the moment…
Once in Anchorage, we made sure to experience a couple of local favorites. Wild Scoops quickly won us over with some of the best ice cream we’ve had, while breakfast at Snow City Cafe was every bit as delightful as we’d hoped.
From Anchorage, we met up with the team at Alaska Wildland Adventure and began the next chapter of our trip. Our itinerary was packed, and we were about to head much deeper into the Alaskan wilderness.
Kenai Riverside Lodge: Cold Plunges and a Sunrise Worth Waking Up For
Our first stop was the Kenai Riverside Lodge, where we quickly settled into a rhythm of adventure and relaxation. That rhythm looked something like alternating between the sauna and cold plunges in the Kenai River, sharing stories, and making new friends while reconnecting with our long-lost high school buddy, Thomas.
The Kenai River typically flows at a rate of 2,500 to 5,000 CFS near Cooper Landing during late August early September.
Top to bottom: Image 1 of Jeff, Rachel, Thomas, Myself, and Hannah. Image 2 a map of the Kenai River and Skilak Lake. Image 3 and 4 Flower and Berries on the Riverside lodge trail.
Then there was the sunrise.
As the morning light began to break through, patches of fog drifted across the Kenai River, creating a scene that felt almost unreal. The landscape was quiet, the water in constant motion, and the light constantly changing. As a photographer, these are the moments I live for—the ones that can't be scheduled or recreated, where everything comes together for just a little while.
It was a reminder that some of the best experiences aren't necessarily the ones you plan for. Sometimes, they're the moments that happen when you're simply there to witness them.
Sunrise over Kenai River
Rafting the Kenai River and Finding Our Way to Skilak Lake
Next, we rafted down the Kenai River with quite possibly one of the most interesting human beings in the world: Jacob.
As we made our way downstream, we were accompanied by King Salmon and what the locals like to call the pigeons of Alaska—Bald Eagles. Watching these incredible birds patrol the river while the surrounding landscape unfolded around us was an experience in itself.
Fishing on the Kenai River.
Guide Rowan taking guests down the river.
A bald eagle sits perched over the River.
After a great lunch catered by our guide Jacob and the other guide Rowan, we reached Skilak Lake, a sprawling 25,000-acre glacial lake. From there, we crossed the water and made our way to the Kenai Backcountry Lodge.
Hannah, Rachel, and Jeff sitting by Skilak Lake.
And what a place to arrive.
The weather, the setting, and the feeling of being tucked away in the wilderness made it feel like an actual gift. It was the kind of place that immediately makes you want to put your phone away, take a deep breath, and stay a little longer.
Our first glimpse of Kenai Backcountry Lodge.
Sunset on the Water
On our first evening, we headed out for a sunset kayak paddle. This was the moment the intention of the trip began to shift for me: from doing to being.
We were floating across some of the calmest water I think Skilak Lake has ever seen, watching the sun settle into the surrounding landscape. The stillness was almost hard to believe, interrupted only by the occasional sound of wildlife. At one point, a river otter made it clear that we were getting a little too close for comfort.
I remember sitting there, taking it all in, and thinking about how special it was to be in that place at that moment.
It quickly became one of my favorite experiences to photograph on the entire trip. Not because there was some grand spectacle happening, but because of the simplicity of it all. The light, the water, the sounds, and the feeling of being completely removed from everything else accompanied by friends who very much so enjoy these same experiences. Also a kind note to Hannah for paddling and steering while I held onto my camera.
The River Otters den tucked in the rock formation and vegetation.
A Hike Through the Kenai Backcountry
The Fairy Gate Tree Portal.
The following day, we headed out on a hike with our guides Rowan, Jacob, and Larry.
Before we started, Larry shared a poem with the group. It was an unexpected and thoughtful way to begin the day, setting a tone that felt fitting for the landscape we were about to explore.
Rowan kept us moving along a secluded trail through the remote wilderness of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. At one point, we came upon a magical opening in a tree. For some, it may have looked exactly as it sounds. For me, it felt more like a rebirth.
I'll spare everyone the video of my experience at that particular part of the hike.
As we continued through the hemlock forest, we were rewarded with an unexpected surprise: a clear, distant view of Denali.
Seeing it emerge from the landscape was one of those moments that makes you appreciate just how vast and unpredictable Alaska can be. Although it was far in the distance it was equally impressive to see.
Eventually, we climbed to a viewpoint overlooking Skilak Lake. We sat down for a packed lunch, took in the scenery, and enjoyed a little time doing our own thing. I set up a time-lapse to capture the landscape while others picked fresh blueberries. We'd like a few of those blueberries sent to us to make some pancakes. Rachel, who picked dozens of blueberries deserves them.
There was no rush to move on. No pressure to check off the next activity. Just a group of people enjoying where they were.
Back at the lodge, we made good use of the sauna and officially joined the Skilak Swim Club. Membership, as you might imagine, required a willingness to embrace the cold.
Leaving a Little Piece of Ourselves Behind
The next morning, Hannah and I got up early in the hope of catching a glimpse of the northern lights. Unfortunately, they didn't make an appearance during our trip, but we still managed to capture a fun image that blended the starry sky with a headlight.
As the sun came up and the clouds rolled in, it was time to say goodbye to the lodge.
We boarded the boat and began making our way to the next destination. Rain fell against the tin roof, and as we pulled away, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were leaving a little piece of ourselves behind.
The Kenai Backcountry Lodge had given us something that can be surprisingly difficult to find in everyday life: the opportunity to slow down and appreciate the experience without constantly thinking about what came next.
I left already hoping to return.
Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge: Fog, Canoes, and a Glacier Coming to Life
From Skilak Lake, we made our way to Seward, where we boarded a boat bound for Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge.
The journey itself was an adventure. Along the way, we encountered puffins, sea otters, sea lions, and an incredible collection of glaciers. Alaska seemed determined to remind us that there was always something else to discover just around the next bend.
Eventually, we arrived at Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge, tucked away in a protected tidal lagoon.
The atmosphere was foggy and still, and the entire place seemed to exist in its own little world. The cabins were nestled among the pines, and the lodge's understated presence allowed the surrounding landscape to take center stage. Nothing felt overbuilt or distracting. Everything seemed designed to let the place speak for itself.
And it did.
The Photograph I'll Remember Most
It was here that I captured my favorite image of the entire trip.
Two canoes sat on the lagoon, with Pedersen Glacier tucked behind a veil of fog.
There wasn't much to it, and that was exactly what made it so special. The composition was simple, the atmosphere was incredible, and the layers of water, fog, and ice created a scene that felt almost dreamlike.
As a photographer, it's easy to get caught up in the technical side of things—finding the right composition, adjusting settings, and trying to anticipate the next moment. But occasionally, a scene comes together in a way that feels effortless.
This was one of those moments.
It's the image I'll remember most from the trip, not just because of how it looks, but because of how it felt to stand there and experience it.
Meeting Aialik Glacier
Guide Mike leading our tour out to Aialik Glacier
The following morning, we gathered for a sea kayaking excursion to Aialik Glacier.
As the fog began to burn off around our launch point, we could hear the thunderous sounds of the glacier in the distance. It was a reminder that, even when a glacier appears still from afar, it's anything but static.
Once we reached it, we were treated to a spectacular display of nature's power. Massive pieces of ice broke away and crashed into the water, sending sounds echoing across the landscape.
We ate lunch while watching the glacier calve into the ocean, taking in a spectacle that was both beautiful and humbling.
I couldn't help thinking about the scale of time involved. This glacier had spent centuries shaping the landscape around us, carving out the very space we were sitting in. And there we were, a tiny group of visitors, occupying one brief moment in its much longer story.
There's something perspective-shifting about witnessing a place like this. It reminds you of the fragility of the natural world, but also its incredible power. It makes you feel small in the best possible way.
After making our way back to the lodge, we celebrated the day with a few margaritas, naturally served with glacial ice. It felt like the perfect way to close out an extraordinary day.
A couple of Glacier Margaritas!
One Last Adventure at Addison Lake
We had another half day of activities before boarding the boat back to Seward, and we decided to head to Addison Lake to see what the bears were up to.
We began by canoeing across the lagoon before hiking a short trail up to the lake. Along the way, Tony took a few moments to teach us about the local plants, adding another layer of appreciation for the ecosystem surrounding us.
We then climbed into additional canoes and headed out onto the lake, where we encountered several furry residents looking for a salmon snack.
The wind made the outing a little more challenging than expected, but that was part of the experience. Being out in the wilderness doesn't always mean perfect weather or picture-perfect conditions. Sometimes, it means working a little harder to get where you're going and appreciating the experience regardless.
After spending time watching the bears, we made our way back to the lodge, taking in the scenery one last time before departing.
The boat ride back to Seward offered a final wildlife bonus, with a few orcas and sea lions making an appearance along the way.
From Seward, we boarded the Alaska Railroad for the journey back to Anchorage, where we'd spend our final night before flying home the next morning.
And just like that, the adventure was coming to an end.
Guide Tony teaching us about plants.
A bear crosses Addison Lake.
A canoe in Addison Lake.
Turning 40, Appreciating Time, and Remembering What Matters
Looking back, this trip will be one I reminisce about for years with friends and family. There were the obvious highlights: the glaciers, the bears, the mountains, the wildlife, and the incredible places we were fortunate enough to experience.
But what I'll remember just as much are the quieter moments. The sunrise over the Kenai River. The stillness of Skilak Lake at sunset. The fog drifting around two canoes in front of Pedersen Glacier. The laughter shared in planes, trains, automobiles, boats, and on foot. The unexpected conversations with our guides. And the feeling of leaving a place knowing it had given you something you didn't even realize you needed.
I'm incredibly grateful to my wife and friends for making this trip happen. What could have been a milestone birthday centered around turning 40 became something far more meaningful: an opportunity to disconnect from the usual routines, spend time with people I care about, and reconnect with the things that make me feel most alive.
For anyone with a thirst for nature, adventure, photography, or simply the chance to step away from everyday life, Alaska is a place I can't recommend enough. It's vast, unpredictable, humbling, and full of moments that remind you how much there is to experience when you give yourself the time to slow down and take it all in.
I'm grateful to have experienced this journey with Alaska Wildland Adventure, and I already find myself thinking about when I might return.
If turning 40 was supposed to be a midlife crisis, I think I'll take this version of it every time.
Here's to more adventures, more time in wild places, and remembering that sometimes the best thing you can do is stop doing—and simply be.
A special thanks to Hannah, Jeff, and Rachel for encouraging this kind of trip and for sharing some of their snapshots along the way.