K2 Aviation: Glacier Landing in Denali

Airplanes and the vast wilderness of Alaska go hand in hand. And when you add the breathtaking experience of landing inside the Denali mountain range, all I want to do is hit pause and savor the moment a little while longer.

During our trip to Alaska, we had splurged on a glacier landing excursion with K2 Aviation. It was expensive, but it was worth every penny for the unforgettable experience it provided.

We began our day at K2 Aviation's offices in Talkeetna. After checking in and slipping on shoe covers, we climbed aboard the plane that would take us into the heart of the mountains. The weather was ideal - partly cloudy and calm air - setting the scene for a truly magical flight.

Following a brief safety briefing, we embarked on our journey from Talkeetna towards Denali. As we entered the mountain range, the views were absolutely jaw-dropping. The land below us was untouched and pristine, and we were fortunate enough to catch a rare glimpse of the peak of Denali.

Once we landed on the glacier, I was surprised by how warm it was - perfect conditions for an impromptu snowball fight with my 3-year-old son in just a t-shirt. We took some time to admire the natural beauty surrounding us before returning to Talkeetna airport.

Given the chance, I would happily repeat this incredible experience over and over again. The sheer awe and wonder of it all is something I will never forget.

Flying Seaplanes in Alaska

As a pilot and photographer, Alaska is a dream destination for someone line me.

The Alaskan wilderness is vast, stretching out in every direction as far as the eye could see.

During my time in Alaska, I had booked a seaplane training course at Alaska Float Ratings. While the training didn’t progress as I had anticipated due to a combination of maintenance and scheduling, I was able to hop on a scenic seaplane flight for 2 hours.

As we flew deeper into the interior of Alaska, I couldn't help but be struck by the remoteness of it all. The only signs of human life were the occasional small cabin or fishing boat dotting the landscape. It is a world untouched by modern civilization.

Over the course of the two hour flights, the plane landed on small lakes. The air was crisp and clean, and the silence was broken only by the sound of the wind, fish swimming in the water and the occasional bird call.

And as I gazed out at the vast, untamed beauty of Alaska, I knew that this was a moment I would never forget.

Chefchaouen: The Blue City of Morocco

One of our favorite things as a family is to try and explore some of the smaller tourist destinations in popular countries. We had our fair share of Marrakech, Casablanca and Fes in Morocco - the big 3 cities for tourists.

We really wanted to go off the beaten path and learned about Chefchaouen from a few people.

Located against a stunning and scenic mountainous backdropped and blue in every direction that you can see – it ended up being one of our favorite stops during our trip to Morocco.

Since we made our decision fairly last minute to visit the city, we weren’t left with too many hotel options and ended up staying in a fairly cramped local hotel room that barely fit in 2 beds and our suitcases.

We also had to lug our bags up through steep stairs – which was exhausting without having to push around a toddler in a stroller.

After our first mountainous climb, we settled in to our room and shortly after started venturing out for dinner. We were in awe of the city and the people. Over the next 2 days, we enjoyed every single bite of every single meal. Given the peak travel time in May, we also had to hop into a lot of different smaller cafés to cool down with a bottle of water or an ice cream.

While we did enjoy our brief 48 hour stint in Chefchaouen, we likely couldn’t have spent any more time in the city as we somehow managed to walk the city more than twice in the two days we were there. Some people even visit the city as a day trip and if you’re a rapid walker, that may be a better option for a lot of first-time travelers.

Review: The White Camel Agafay

As part of our Sidecar Tour of Marrakech, our guides recommended that we escape the frenzied energy of the city and book a half day camp in the tranquil desert. Excited by the prospect of a relaxing oasis in the scorching heat, we eagerly called to reserve our spot at The White Camel Agafay, after considering several other options.

After arranging for a taxi through one of the recommended companies, we embarked on an hour-long journey towards the camp, navigating through bumpy and unfinished roads. But as we arrived and checked in, any discomfort from the ride was quickly forgotten with a refreshing welcome drink in hand and the temptation of an infinity pool just steps away. Our requests for specific drinks were met with difficulty, as the camp seemed to be more focused on providing a party atmosphere for groups of bachelorettes.

As the sun began to set over the horizon, we took a dip in the pool before indulging in a delicious meal. At only $45 per person, this experience was an incredible deal and served as the perfect finale to our first trip to Morocco.

Looking back, my only regret is not booking The White Camel Agafay for a full day. The thought of being completely disconnected from civilization and fully immersing ourselves in the serene natural surroundings is something I wish we had experienced during our time there.

Total Solar Eclipse in a Pilatus PC-12

Earlier this year, on April 8th 2024 - I had an opportunity to fly from New Jersey to Buffalo, New York in a private Pilatus PC-12 to experience the path of totality.

Having never done this before, I did a bit of research and picked out my gear. For this trip, I would be taking photos with my trusty Sony a1; the Sony 100-400 GM lens and a solar filter. 

I also wanted to capture the experience of the flight. For that, I had a Leica Q2, a DJI Osmo Pocket 3 and a GoPro Hero 12. Along with a lot of batteries. A lot. 

Given the excitement of the flight, I got to Teterboro Airport nearly an hour before departure and after checking in - grabbed a few snacks and drinks before the flight.

A good friend of mine was piloting another aircraft from the same company and kept texting me updates as the flight path changed due to ATC restrictions and environmental factors.

After a quick briefing, we took off around 1:25pm. Our destination had changed from the Buffalo region to a waypoint called PATTA.

As we climbed higher into the sky, the excitement onboard was palpable. Everyone was eagerly anticipating a memorable flight.

The pilot announced that we were approaching PATTA and would soon be entering the path of totality.

As we crossed into the path of totality, I couldn't believe what I was seeing. The sky started to darken, almost as if night was falling upon us.

I quickly grabbed my Sony a1 and started capturing the stunning view outside. The sun had turned into a black circle with a fiery halo around it.

The whole experience felt surreal - like being in a completely different world.

The view from above was unlike anything I had ever seen before - a mesmerizing combination of light and darkness.

After about 3 minutes of being in the path of totality, we exited back into daylight. But the excitement onboard continued as everyone shared their photos and experiences from this once-in-a-lifetime event.

As we made our way back to New Jersey, I couldn't stop smiling at how lucky I was to have witnessed such an incredible natural phenomenon from high up in the sky. It was an unforgettable experience that I will cherish for years to come.

Once we landed back at Teterboro Airport, there were cheers and applause from all passengers for our successful flight. As we disembarked, I couldn't help but feel grateful for this amazing opportunity and the memories I had created.