An Anniversary Cruise Through God’s Beautiful Creation

“The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” — Psalm 126:3

We woke bright and early at 6:00 a.m. after one of the best night’s sleep we’ve had in a long time. The room was warm, cozy, and exactly what we needed before beginning a new chapter of our adventure.

Today was extra special. It was our 7th wedding anniversary, and instead of celebrating at a fancy restaurant or tropical resort, we were about to board the Alaska Marine Highway ferry for a four-day voyage through the Inside Passage. It may not be the traditional anniversary celebration, but then again, there hasn’t been much about this 66-day adventure that’s been traditional. And honestly, I wouldn’t have wanted to celebrate it any other way.

After packing the bikes, we grabbed a cup of coffee from the lobby where Jeff, the hotel manager, greeted us with a smile. We had enjoyed talking with him the day before, and I could still see the excitement in his eyes as he listened to stories from our motorcycle journey. He told us he could only dream of taking an adventure like this someday.

I smiled and handed him one of our Wrights On A Mission stickers with our Facebook and YouTube QR codes. Maybe God planted a little seed of adventure—and faith—in his heart. We never know how the Lord will use a simple conversation. As Jesus reminded us, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

The morning air was perfectly still as we rode the short ten minutes along Portage Cove to the Alaska Marine Highway ferry terminal. The sun had just climbed above the mountains, casting golden reflections across the calm water. It was one of those peaceful mornings where God’s creation quietly proclaims His glory.

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” — Psalm 19:1

We arrived early, with only a handful of vehicles waiting. While standing in line, we met Adam, a retired gentleman traveling with his son. We exchanged stories about our adventures along the Top of the World Highway—the rugged roads, breathtaking scenery, and unforgettable experiences. Adam shared that he had ridden motorcycles years ago before a crash ended that chapter of his life. He smiled and said he would still love to do what we’re doing.

As I listened, I was reminded how dreams often remain tucked away in people’s hearts. Sometimes fear keeps us from stepping out, but faith invites us to trust God beyond our comfort zones. This journey has taught us that some of life’s greatest blessings are found on roads we’ve never traveled before.

When the ticket office opened at 7:30, we collected our boarding passes and returned to the bikes. While placing the passes on our windshields, we spotted the two adventure riders we had met at the restaurant the evening before.

To my surprise, Rob walked over with a grin and greeted me by name.

“Hi, Rochelle!”

I laughed and greeted him back. We talked about dinner, and he happily reported that the fish and chips had been every bit as delicious as promised. Before long, he and his riding partner were checking out our bikes and swapping stories from the road.

Soon after, two bicycle travelers rolled into the terminal. Holly and her husband, from Northern California, had ridden all the way to Deadhorse on the Dalton Highway. They described it as beautiful but admitted it was probably a one-time adventure. We told them we’d considered riding the Dalton ourselves but decided maybe another trip would take us farther into the Yukon instead. They both agreed that camping in the Yukon had been one of the highlights of their journey.

One of my favorite parts of traveling has been meeting people from all over the world. Every conversation reminds me that while our paths may look different, we’re all searching for purpose, beauty, and meaningful experiences. God has a way of crossing our paths with exactly the people we’re meant to meet.

Around 11:00 a.m., we boarded the ferry, and Melvin carefully secured our motorcycles for the voyage ahead. Since we’d skipped both breakfast and lunch while boarding, hunger was beginning to catch up with us. After dropping our belongings in our cabin, we raided the vending machine for some very overpriced snacks to hold us over until the dining room opened.

As we explored the ship, we noticed a boil water advisory posted throughout the vessel. We wandered through the hallways, learning our way around, before making our way up to the solarium deck where we found our biker friends again.

Several tents had already been pitched beneath the covered solarium. Warm heaters helped take the chill off the ocean breeze, and dozens of lounge chairs were occupied by passengers who had chosen to sleep there instead of reserving cabins. Even the open upper deck had tents carefully duct-taped against the wind.

It was a reminder that every traveler has a different story.

Finally, the snack bar opened, and we enjoyed a much-needed lunch of clam chowder along with grilled salmon burgers and fries. We were both getting a little grouchy from hunger, and amazing how much better life looks after a good meal!

Afterward, we returned to our cabin to organize our scattered belongings, and before we knew it, we had both fallen asleep for an hour-long nap. Apparently, our bodies were reminding us that rest is also one of God’s gifts.

“Come to Me… and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28

Later that afternoon we wandered the decks with our cameras, soaking in the beauty of the Inside Passage. The ferry quietly navigated through what I believe was Favorite Channel on its way toward Juneau. Towering mountains rose from the water while evergreen forests stretched as far as we could see. Every turn revealed another breathtaking view that no photograph could fully capture.

By 4:00 p.m., we arrived in Juneau, the first stop along our voyage. Passengers were free to leave the ship for a couple of hours, but without transportation, we decided to stay close to the docks. We snapped a few pictures in front of the “Welcome to Juneau” sign before returning to check on the motorcycles and make sure they were still securely tied down.

Back aboard, I grabbed my laptop and settled into the forward observation lounge overlooking the bay while working on our next YouTube video. It’s been a joy sharing this adventure with so many of you, and I pray these stories encourage others to trust God enough to step out in faith, wherever He may be calling them.

That evening we headed to the dining room for our anniversary dinner.

I guess you could say Melvin took me on a dinner cruise to Juneau, Alaska!

I enjoyed halibut with rice while Melvin ordered Alaskan salmon with a loaded baked potato. We even celebrated with chocolate cream pie for dessert.

As we sat together afterward in the front lounge, watching the mountains drift by through the large windows, I couldn’t help but thank God for these seven wonderful years of marriage. Through every twist and turn—both in life and on this journey—He has faithfully carried us.

“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” — Ecclesiastes 4:12

Tonight the ferry continues south toward Sitka, where we’ll arrive around 5:00 tomorrow morning.

Today also marked another milestone. It was our last day riding motorcycles in Alaska. The next time we swing our legs over our bikes, we’ll be in Washington, beginning the journey across the Lower 48 toward home.

For now, we’re simply enjoying this slower pace—meeting fellow travelers, sharing stories with other adventure riders, catching up on YouTube videos, and marveling at God’s incredible handiwork all around us.

Every mile we’ve traveled across Alaska has reminded us that life itself is a journey. Some days are filled with smooth pavement; others are muddy, unpredictable, and difficult. Yet through every twist in the road, the Lord has remained our faithful Guide.

“The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” — Deuteronomy 31:8

If you’ve been following along on this incredible 66-day adventure, thank you for riding with us. We would love for you to continue the journey by subscribing to our YouTube channel and following us on Facebook @wrightsonamission.

Until tomorrow… keep your eyes on the road, your heart fixed on Jesus, and never stop looking for the divine appointments He places along the way.