Road Trip 2026, Day Eighteen

a redemptive hike

tolerably steep, pretty

to a glacier’s start

disappearing ice

is one reason for this trip

cold is beautiful

snowfields beat out scree

a challenge i can live with

and get to slide down

i’m hours faster

than the warning on their map

hiking solo wins!

marmot friends tease me

better than seeing a bear

top of world views

Road Trip 2026, Day Seventeen

a beautiful drive

where we even saw a moose

brings us to Seward

cabin in the woods

will be our home for four nights

peaceful, idyllic

Road Trip 2026, Day Sixteen

paddle-boarding salt

first time the three of us

(includes SUP)

shopping in the sun

on this quirky “spit” boardwalk

summer in Homer

time is running out

before i am alone here

soaking up smiles

Road Trip 2026, Day Fifteen

acceptance settles

as we see the bright blue sky

(first time in two weeks)

An expensive hike

yet easy, green, glacial blue

make it worth millions

where can you see ice

floating from nearby glacier

as You eat your lunch?

Alaska wins us

though it can’t fully win her

(my pup will save me)

Road Trip 2026, Day Fourteen

she’s bought the ticket

leaving me brokenhearted

as more rain plagues us

no blue sky peak views

in this cold and dreary state

matching my sad mood

a bit of comfort

At Homer vacation home

(luxury send-off?)

i can’t change her mind

Yet can face the great alone

(i know how to drive)

Road Trip 2026, Day Thirteen

still fighting back tears

we honor native cultures

for July Fourth truth

how hard their lives were

yet their innovations rocked

our lame modern needs

from homes under sod

to sunglasses for seal hunts

they made a life here

their tenacious art

built in the midst of winter

reminds me of hope

so i paint a grin

and take them our one last time

crab legs included

Road Trip 2026, Day Nine

an Al-Can drive day

with glacial lakes and mountains,

ever-curving road

Mt. St. Elias

makes her stunning appearance

along the Al-Can

we follow rivers

all the way to Kluane

where a new lake shines

Road Trip 2026, Day Eight

twelve hours feels short

with this hot springs in the mix

five-dollar heaven

driving Canada?

getting gas is exhausting

perfection elsewhere

glacial blue-gray lakes

mountains shrouded in dawn’s mist

so many rivers

Road Trip 2026, Day Six

rainy morning walk

in this lushly green forest

boggy, soggy moss

an afternoon soak

in these hot springs mountains

to stave off the chill

on the best drive home

we saw a family of sheep

we saw views going blue

quick grocery run

reorganizing our camp

dawn: ready to roll

Road Trip 2026, Day Four

hiking to high tea

(a different version of high)

altitude wins sips

perfect alpine lakes

to start and finish the day

as we drink in views

glacially made mirrors

waterfall motivation

for the long walk down