𝗔 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶

𝗔 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶: 𝐉𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬' 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗕𝘂𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗮
James Davey is a talented CDL-A driver who spends sugarbeet campaign driving within the Idaho Division, but after every Transystems sugarbeet campaign, James embarks on an incredible adventure that takes him to one of the most breathtaking places on Earth—Denali National Park in Alaska. As a bus driver for Holland America / Princess Cruises, he isn’t just behind the wheel; he serves as the vital link between eager tourists and the awe-inspiring beauty of the Alaskan wilderness. From April 13 to September 15 each year, James' life transforms into a whirlwind of stunning landscapes, fascinating encounters, and unforgettable experiences.
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒄 𝑹𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒆: 𝑫𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑻𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝑫𝒆𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒊
Though Idaho's beautiful landscape is a site to see, Denali National Park stretches across 92 miles of pristine wilderness, and James has the privilege of navigating this remarkable landscape in national park shuttle buses. Each day on the road offers something new—grizzly bears, majestic moose, and breathtaking vistas. His route often takes him as far north as Fairbanks and as far south as Anchorage, ensuring he experiences the diverse splendor of Alaska.
One of the most memorable moments of James' career occurred while chatting with national park rangers. They shared a story that still makes him chuckle: tourists mistaking bear spray for bug repellent and spraying it all over themselves! It’s a reminder that Alaska is as wild as it is beautiful—and sometimes, you have to laugh at the unexpected twists.
𝑭𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝑨𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒌𝒂 𝒕𝒐 𝑰𝒅𝒂𝒉𝒐: 𝑱𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒔' 𝒀𝒆𝒂𝒓-𝑹𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝑱𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒚
When the summer season wraps up in Denali, James' journey continues. Between his stints in Alaska, he drives Transystems trucks during the sugar beet season in Twin Falls, Idaho. The drive to Alaska is no small feat, spanning over 3,000 miles. He’s tackled snowstorms and icy roads, yet the journey is always worth it. With a GoPro camera mounted on his dashboard, he captures the scenic beauty along the way, and his time-lapse videos have garnered over 1.3 million views on his YouTube channel!
One of James' favorite aspects of the drive is witnessing the fall leaves transform into a kaleidoscope of colors. The long summer days in Alaska—where the sun barely sets—shift dramatically as autumn approaches. The darkness brings with it a magical display of the northern lights, an experience he cherishes deeply. His YouTube channel showcases stunning northern lights photography, capturing the essence of Alaska’s beauty.
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑷𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝑯𝒆 𝑴𝒆𝒆𝒕𝒔: 𝑨 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔
One of the most rewarding parts of James' job is the incredible diversity of guests he encounters. From locals to international travelers, every bus ride brings a new story. He’s met fellow Idahoans who, In Alaska, live just down the road, Australian tourists who reside near his relatives, and countless others with unexpected connections. These moments remind him how small the world can be and how travel brings us all together.
With over 40,000 members in the Princess Cruises Facebook group and thousands more in various Alaska travel groups, Dave often finds that his guests have followed his Alaska adventures online. It’s a joy to connect with them and share the beauty of this extraordinary place.
𝑬𝒙𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑩𝒆𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑩𝒖𝒔: 𝑱𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒔' 𝑪𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒂𝒏 𝑨𝒅𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒔
While his primary focus is driving through the stunning Alaskan landscapes, James also loves exploring the route. On his recent southbound journey, he took some time to visit Edmonton, Alberta. The West Edmonton Mall, with its vast array of shops and attractions, was a highlight. He even sampled Canadian flavors at Costco—who knew poutine and unique ice cream flavors could be so delightful?
𝑨 𝑳𝒆𝒈𝒂𝒄𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝑻𝒓𝒆𝒆 𝑪𝒂𝒓𝒆: 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑫𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒚 𝑭𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒚 𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚
As if his life traversing the great outdoors wasn't fascinating enough, James comes from a well-known family with a rich history. His great-great-grandfather founded the Davey Tree Company, a pioneer in tree care. From maintaining the trees at the White House to working on notable memorials, the company has a legacy that James is proud to carry on.
𝑱𝒐𝒊𝒏 𝑱𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒏 𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝑱𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒚
As he reflects on his summers in Denali and his adventures on the Al-Can Highway, James is filled with gratitude for the experiences he’s had and the people he’s met. 
To see more of Dave’s journey, including breathtaking views and moments from the northern lights, check out his YouTube channel below. Join him as he continues to explore the beauty of Alaska, one mile at a time!
https://youtu.be/fWDYO34EBHU?si=XDHLKFFKx7jKzMQi
Photos shared by James Davey