Some encounters along the road are brief but still leave you smiling after you’ve said goodbye.

Near Hatcher Pass, Alaska, we met John and his son from Serbia, who were exploring Alaska together.

From the moment we began talking, they were both warm, friendly and an absolute pleasure to meet.

There is something special about traveling with someone you love. Long after the photographs have been stored away and the details of individual days begin to blur, the shared memories remain.

Travel also has a wonderful ability to make the world feel smaller. There we were — people from different countries and different backgrounds, meeting somewhere in the mountains of Alaska — and within minutes, enjoying a conversation as though the road had arranged the introduction.

John and son, it was such a pleasure meeting you both. We hope your father-son journey through Alaska gave you spectacular scenery, plenty of laughter and stories you’ll still be telling each other years from now.