With this being my second season up in Alaska, I was feeling pretty confident about the lay of the land. I had been talking with my son Seth about coming up for a visit, giving him a real taste of raft camp life and showing him some of the places that had started to feel like home to me.
I picked him up from the airport in Fairbanks, and right away everything just clicked. No delays, no hiccups…just that excitement of finally having him there. Later that evening, we grabbed some Thai food, it hit the spot after a long travel day.
From there, we made our way south toward Denali.
We stopped at Dick’s Halfway Inn and had a classic “dick shot” and, as always, let the weirdness of that place just wash over us. It never disappoints.
We even ended up chatting with a new lady friend…because that’s just the kind of place it is.
Continuing south, the landscape opened up as we rolled through the wide, flat plains of Nenana. We stopped at the confluence of the Tanana River and Nenana River to give Seth his first real sense of scale up here. Everything in Alaska feels bigger…wider…more raw.
Back at camp, Seth got a night to rest, and the next morning we went all in on a big, greasy, diner style breakfast in the cook shack. Something we both love…no shortcuts, just plates piled high.
We spent the day hiking around, taking it all in, and later that night headed to a nearby dinner theater.
It turned out to be a blast…singers, dancers, storytelling…all centered around Denali and the surrounding area.
We had a big crew with us…about twenty people from raft camp and friends of friends. One of the perks of being in the industry…most of us got comped meals and the show, just leaving a small gratuity.
Afterward, the party carried on back at the cook shack.
Seth got his first taste of raft camp nightlife…and yeah, things got a little wild.
And then there’s the two holer I warned Seth about.
That’s right…two holes in one outhouse. A concept I’ve never quite warmed up to and probably never will. Seth somehow survived this late season monstroistiy.
The next chapter was already lined up…an overnight raft trip with Val and Demetrious…which deserves its own story entirely.
My first season in Alaska, even though I was working for a rafting company, I didn’t spend much time on the water. Truth be told, I was mostly a desk jockey…handling reservations and logistics. It made for an easier season in some ways, but I missed out on a lot of what I had come up there for in the first place.
That changed completely in year two.
I made it a point to get out on the river as much as I could, and overnight trips quickly became my favorite. So when Seth came to visit, I knew exactly what I wanted to give him…his first overnight rafting trip in Alaska.
We headed out on the upper section of the Nenana River, a stretch we like to call the “super scenic.” It’s a gentler section…less about adrenaline, more about taking everything in. We floated for a couple of hours, surrounded by those wide open views, until we reached one of my favorite campsites tucked right along the riverbank.
It’s the kind of spot that feels almost too good to be real…a sweat lodge off to the side, a circle of chairs around a solid fire ring, and perfectly flat tundra for tents. Everything you’d want, nothing you don’t.
We set up camp as the fall colors lit up around us. Crisp air, golden brush, that quiet you only get out there. A fire got going, and the evening just settled into easy conversation and good company.
Seth and I crawled into our two person tent that night and slept hard…that deep kind of sleep you only get after a full day outside.
Morning came slow. We wandered a bit, hiking through tundra that was absolutely popping with color.
Mount Fellows stood out in full display…one of those views that doesn’t quite translate to a photo, no matter how good it looks.
Val was with us on the trip…someone I’ve always had a ton of respect for. She is one of the owners, raft guide at heart, and very much the brains behind the operation, and also Dmitry’s mom. We clicked right away…same age, both from Colorado, similar mindset. She always gave space for new ideas, which meant a lot coming from someone with that much experience.
And then there’s Dmitry…out there half joking, half serious, “channeling” the power of the river. He’s one of the only true born Alaskans I know, and just an all around solid human. Smart, driven, working toward becoming a paramedic…on top of being a strong guide and a natural on the water.
At one point, as we were getting things together, another group floated by…New Wave Adventures running their own scenic trip down the Nenana. A little reminder that even out here, you’re never completely alone.
We took our time that morning. A long, lazy breakfast…coffee with a splash of Irish cream.
I was definitely feeling it a bit, in the best way.
Eventually, we geared back up, dry suits on, boats loaded.
Seth was all in…ready to get back on the water without hesitation.
And just like that, we pushed off again
Seth wasn’t feeling great for a couple of days. After all the excitement, it’s pretty easy to catch a cold when you first land in the cold, damp climate of Alaska. It kind of sneaks up on you…one minute you’re running on adrenaline, the next you’re laid out trying to shake it off.
We took it easy for a bit, gave him some time to rest and recover, and before long he was back on his feet.
With that behind us, we pointed ourselves south again, ready for the next stretch of adventure. This time, we had something a little different lined up…we had booked an Airbnb out in Big Lake.
And not just any place…a super unique yurt tucked away in the woods, owned by a local dog musher. One of those spots that instantly feels like Alaska the moment you pull in…quiet, rustic, and just a little bit wild.
Making our way further south toward our final destination of Seward, we made a stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center to grab all the “bare” necessities…yeah, had to do it.
From there, we continued on and eventually rolled into Seward, one of the most beautiful coastal towns in Alaska.
We wandered down to the small boat harbor and looked out over Resurrection Bay, snapping photos as the light hit just right.
One of those evenings where everything feels still and glowing at the same time.
The next morning, we checked off something that had been sitting on my bucket list for a long time…the Kenai Fjords Marine Tour.
And man…it delivered.
This is one of those experiences I can’t recommend enough. If you ever make it up here, it’s an absolute must.
We cruised out into the fjords, surrounded by massive cliffs and open water, and made our way to the incredible Aialik Glacier. Seeing it in person is something else entirely…huge, alive, constantly shifting.
All along the way, we spotted marine life…otters floating in the kelp, seals hauled out, birds everywhere. It’s the kind of place that reminds you how wild Alaska really is.
After we got back, we wrapped the day up with dinner at the Flamingo Lounge.
Solid meal, good atmosphere…Seth went with the French dip and absolutely crushed it.
And just like that, the trip started winding down and back to the Anchroage Airport to drop Seth off…
I’m honestly just grateful he made the journey up. Here I am, living this dirtbag raft life, and he shows up with an open mind and just rolls with it. We had an incredible time…like we always do when we travel together.Love you, Seth. Until the next adventure…
