The Stories We Carry: Alaska in Trinkets and Time

Published in the Sunday Navbharat Times on 06 July 2025

“So, you went to Alaska? Wow! How was it? Is it true they have that whole midnight sun and northern lights thing?”

That was the question the Etihad air hostess asked as she handed me back my water bottle—the one with “Alaska” boldly printed on it. I was flying home from the land of glaciers and gold rushes, and my humble bottle had just sparked a warm and unexpected conversation.

That’s the thing about souvenirs—they're memory capsules, tiny time machines that instantly take you back to a place you once stood. They don’t just remind you of a trip; they invite others into your story too.

These days, I carry a reusable water bottle wherever I go. It’s an eco-friendly habit I picked up along the way—most destinations now have refill stations, and many restaurants are happy to top it up. But I’ve added a personal twist: I now buy a new water bottle from each destination I visit. It’s practical, sustainable, and most importantly, meaningful. Every time I drink from my Alaska bottle, I’m transported back to that wild, windswept wonderland.

Not Just Memories—But Meaningful Mementos

When we travel, we collect more than just memories. We take thousands of photos, try to capture the most beautiful sights, and often shop for gifts and souvenirs for friends and family. Many times, though, we leave this shopping for the last minute—and end up buying whatever is available in the souvenir shops or at the airport.

But that got me thinking: if we pay just a little more attention to the things we pick up on our travels, we can bring back trinkets that truly hold meaning, rather than yet another chocolate box or perfume bottle. Like a conch shell holding the whisper of the ocean, our souvenirs can hold stories—transporting us right back to a perfect moment on a trip.

In Alaska, I felt this deeply. Again and again.

Panning for Gold—and Stories—in Fairbanks

In Fairbanks, I found myself reliving history at Gold Daughters, a hands-on gold panning experience just outside the city. Alaska’s modern story truly begins with gold—discovered in 1896 during the Klondike Gold Rush. Until then, it was dismissed as a barren, frozen wilderness, bought from Russia for just $7.2 million (a little over ₹60 crores). But gold changed everything.

At Gold Daughters, I was handed a shovel and pan and shown how to swirl and sift like a 19th-century prospector. When I finally spotted tiny gold flakes glinting in the pan, I felt a childlike thrill. The team offered to seal them in a glass vial—or turn them into a gold flake pendant.

I chose the pendant, of course. I knew that if I brought the gold flakes home in a vial, they’d eventually get lost in a drawer. But a necklace? That’s a story I could wear. And every time someone compliments it, I get to say, “Thanks—actually, I panned it myself in Alaska!”

Whitewater, Wildflowers, and Warm Smiles

From Fairbanks, we traveled to Denali National Park and the charming little town of Talkeetna. Fun fact: “na” means “river” in traditional Alaskan languages—fitting, because the highlight of my Denali trip was rafting on the Nenana River.

We opted for the advanced tour with class 3–4 rapids, geared up in wetsuits, helmets, and rubber boots, and set off. Soon we were soaked and laughing, navigating one thrilling rapid after another. At the end of the adventure, the photo team showed us action shots—and I jumped at the chance to buy them. While rafting, you can’t really take your own pictures, and I love buying professional ones. They help me relive the experience over and over again, long after the splash and spray have faded.

Later, we walked through Talkeetna, which felt like stepping back in time. Each shop was its own little world. The people in Alaska are incredibly friendly—everywhere I went, I found myself chatting with locals who were proud and passionate about their handmade crafts. I learned that any item marked with a silver hand is guaranteed to be handmade in Alaska.

At one shop, I admired dreamcatchers, and next to them, a modern twist—a floral version created by the owner herself. She shared how nature inspires all her designs. In another store filled with traditional Alaskan goods, I was fascinated by how feathers, wool, ivory, and bone were used respectfully, with nothing going to waste. There’s a deep, instinctive harmony with nature here that I found beautiful.

Eventually, I walked out with a pair of gorgeous glass bead earrings—delicate, deeply Alaskan, and full of story.

An Ice Cream for the Midnight Sun

Not all souvenirs need to be bought. Sometimes, they’re experienced.

I found myself standing in front of a quaint little ice cream shop that opens only during the short Alaskan summer. For many Alaskans, its opening signals the arrival of the season.

How could I not join in that celebration?

I looked up—past 11:00 p.m.—and the sun was still shining brightly. I smiled, realizing I was standing under the famous midnight sun. I picked a local flavor—maybe fireweed, maybe Yukon Gold, or maybe Baked Alaska—and took a big celebratory bite. It’s not every day the sun refuses to set over your head!

The Ulu Knife, Fifteen Years Later

Souvenirs have a funny way of becoming part of your everyday life.

Fifteen years ago, on my first trip to Alaska, I bought a traditional Ulu knife—a curved blade perfect for chopping. I used it occasionally, until one day I found my cook using it to cut fish.

Alarmed, I asked, “What are you doing?!”

She looked up and smiled, “It’s perfect for fish.”

Turns out, she was absolutely right.

On this trip, I asked a local about it, and without hesitation, he said, “Mainly used for fish—but really, everything.” I smiled. My cook had known all along. And once again, a souvenir became a living, useful part of my kitchen.

Sweet Syrup, Scenic Flights, and Glaciers by Sea

On the return leg of my journey, I visited a locally-owned birch syrup factory, where the sap from birch trees is slowly reduced into a rich, earthy syrup. It felt like the perfect, uniquely Alaskan gift—so I picked up bottles for friends back home.

Of course, I couldn’t leave without the classic: magnets. Simple, yes—but to me, they’re joyful little trophies. I add one from every new place I visit. They remind me where I’ve been and where I still want to go.There were so many other unforgettable moments- A scenic flightseeing tour over glaciers and mountains, A train ride on the Alaska Railroad from Denali to Talkeetna, where time slowed and every window framed a postcard, A glacier cruise from Whittier, where we watched massive ice cliffs crash into turquoise waters.

And yes, the salmon. If you enjoy fish, don’t miss the local salmon dishes—when prepared just right, they’re among the tastiest in the world. You can even go bear watching, or take a seaplane to a remote lake and try your hand at fishing.

Souvenirs That Speak

Souvenirs aren’t just keepsakes. They’re stories, wrapped in color, scent, texture, and taste. They’re also invitations. That Alaska water bottle led to a mid-flight conversation. The gold pendant draws curious glances. The birch syrup will soon be poured over pancakes, shared and savored with stories.

So next time you travel, ask yourself:
What’s the story you want to bring home?
And more importantly…
Where will your next souvenir take you?