Its been too long since Iv been back to Alaska. Its seems like upon every departure I say to myself “This is the last time I come here” and yet soon after I find myself missing it again and Im realizing why…again. Its simply the most beautiful place I have ever seen to date. Wilderness is a minute away and there is always something to see in the backyard. This trip Ill be seeing alot of Denali so I am really excited about that. The train ride from Anchorage to Fairbanks is always different and a real incredible place to work. Its a blessing I get to work in this environment…even if its not doing photography. That being said it is a little lonely up here from time to time…although not quite so much as in the Pribilofs. Moving is always turbulent and fun for me at the same time. Making new friends, exploring a completely new lifestyle, and attempting to soak it all up is always a challenge. I miss my friends and family…and Seattle coffee. Of course theres still a fucking Walmart out here…Americana didnt skip Anchorage. Old people on the train are crazy. It should be a long and interesting summer.

Dark, twisted, and full of menace. The “old Buckner Building”. After meeting a kick-ass local photographer and my new friend, Mitch, we headed out to Whittier. I guess its basically deserted during the winter but filled with tourists in the summer. You could never tell by how dreary and quiet the place is now…and thats not even talking about the building. Mitch informed me it was an old Cold War panick station. It housed 60,000 people at one point. Now the town is home to under 200. It was called ”The city under one roof”. A maze of tunnels runs beneath it to launch a surprise attack on invading russians. Extensive water damage and the quake in the 60s has brought this beast to its present state but the innards are pretty well preserved considering. Its really the eeriest place Iv ever seen and you cant help but creep around in it hesitantly and look over your shoulder every other step. Some of the neater rooms were the crumbling theater, the brig, and the officers lounge. Mitch took the atmosphere of the place and ran with it. He really had a knack for portraits that kinda make my skin crawl. I could have roamed this place for hours on end and am definitely going back when the ice has melted.