From JuJu with Love

Some days are packed with so many different experiences that they feel like three vacations rolled into one.

Today started with the obligatory photo at the Denali National Park sign. You can’t come all this way and not prove you were here.

And while we were there, I got my very first National Passport stamped!

Apparently I’ve discovered yet another thing to collect… which means I may have just given myself an excellent excuse to visit a whole lot more national parks.

Our first stop inside the park was the famous sled dog demonstration. Denali is the only national park that still uses working sled dogs to help patrol the backcountry in the winter, so these aren’t just for tourists—they have real jobs.

As much as I loved watching them, I have to admit… they made me miss my own “sled dog.”

Maizey may be a miniature Goldendoodle instead of an Alaskan Husky, but don’t tell her that. She already thinks she’s qualified for every job. Seeing all those dogs running, barking, and eager to work made me wish she could have been there to watch her distant cousins in action.

Afterward we wandered through Denali Park Village, browsed the gift shops (because apparently I can never have too many souvenirs), grabbed a snack, and enjoyed a little downtime before the next adventure.

Then it was time to board the Wilderness Express train to Fairbanks.

There’s something wonderfully relaxing about train travel. No security lines. No turbulence. Just watching Alaska roll past your window while someone else does the driving.

By the end of the day we’d traveled by cruise ship, helicopter, fixed-wing airplane, motorcoach, school bus, and now train.

And I’d added a National Park passport stamp to my collection.

Looks like Alaska didn’t just give me incredible memories.

It may have just started my next travel obsession.

Apparently Alaska wasn’t finished with my hair.

Between helicopters, boats, duck tours, and now sticking my head out the back of the Wilderness Express train…

Let’s just say my hair and I have agreed to stop fighting Mother Nature.

At this point, if my hair isn’t blowing sideways, am I really traveling?

Some days are packed with adrenaline.

Others are quieter.

Today was one of those days that simply let us enjoy being here.

And honestly… those are pretty special too.

From Juju with love 💙