Hatcher Pass to Independence Mine

Hatcher Pass to Independence Mine Alaska State Historical Park makes a great day trip from Anchorage. Via Palmer-Fishhook Road, it is a scenic drive along the Little Suisitna River with enough elevation gained to get beautiful views of the horseshoe shaped valley below. 

Overlooks provide a view of glacially formed valleys

The historic mine and buildings are a reminder of a bygone era. 

The manager's house, with its spacious living room, wide stone fireplace and broad bank of windows, now houses a museum and visitors center.
 

In 1941 at its height of production, the mine spanned more than 1300 acres. Nearly 30 structures had been built. More than 200 were employed. There were miles and miles of tunnels blasted. Gold in excess of 34,000 ounces was produced. Families joined the miners in a boomtown erected nearby, and they brought children to attend a territorial school in a bunkhouse. 

Hope, Alaska

The story of Hope, Alaska unfolds as follows. In the year 1889, the little gold mining community on Resurrection Creek was growing but had no name. Miners agreed on a plan. They would name the settlement for whichever newcomer arrived next and stepped off the boat onto land. 


Off the boat came 17-year-old Percy Hope, a miner searching for gold. 

Population: 151


Location: The community lies on the 17-mile Hope Highway, which can be reached via the scenic Seward Highway. It is 87 miles south of the city of Anchorage. 


Portions of the town were destroyed in the 1964 Good Friday Earthquake.

Many of the original structures have survived

The log social hall was built in 1902. It continues to serve as the community's central gathering spot. 

Weddings, meetings and other town events happen here

The Cafe is one of the town's dining establishments

Hope has a post office, a library, two cafes and a campground. Hope is considered to be the best preserved gold rush community in South-central Alaska. 

Surfin' the bore tide

A bore tide is a phenomenon where the leading edge of the incoming tide builds a wave or crest of water. The wave  travels up a narrow channel in opposition to the outgoing current. 


Along the Turnagain Arm of the Cook Inlet south of Anchorage, Alaska, a good bore tide is cause for celebration. Locals turn out to surf, kayak the wave and observe the event. 

The water begins to churn

Turbulence becomes visible

The wave cuts across the channel

Attention turns to the rising water

Surfers wade out across what at low tide are mud flats

The wave is high enough to offer a good ride

Where the channel widens, the wave subsides

Talkeetna, where rivers meet

Talkeetna, Alaska, is a village of 900 that lies on a spur road off the Parks Highway on the way to Denali, also known as Mt. McKinley. 


Mountain climbers use Talkeetna as a base camp. They share the town with an array of characters. One officially important resident is sometimes under the influence of catnip. The elected mayor of Alaska is a cat. Stubbs, the mayor, resides at Nagley's General Store. We were not privileged to have an audience with him. But we did encounter his food and water dishes on the counter. 

For those who remember television's Emmy award winner Northern Exposure, Talkeetna is known as its inspiration. 

Who could resist fountain soft drinks and ammo?

The Talkeetna museum displays items my own mother
 and grandmother used daily. Wow. 

The Talkeetna Roadhouse remains a true roadhouse,
with bunk rooms, showers "down the hall,"
a cozy common room with wireless internet, and a dining
room where diners share tables and conversation

Southwestern Kenai Peninsula drive

On a recent weekend, we set out from Anchorage to Soldotna on the Kenai Peninsula. We anticipated rainy weather and were surprised when, as we traveled toward the water, the clouds parted and the sun came out in full force. We pressed on toward Homer, stopping to view the sights along the way. 

View of a Russian Orthodox church near Ninilchik

Near Ninilchik, a Russian Orthodox church circa 1895 

Volcanoes including Mount Redoubt and Mt. Iliamna
are part of the "ring of fire" in the Alaskan range

Homer is land's end on the southwestern Kenai Peninsula

Alaska wildlife sightings on a summer afternoon

Wood bison calves. 
The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center provides a home for orphaned or injured animals. The center provides education and an opportunity for visitors to wildlife up close.

The moose appear content.Wildlife sightings are common in and around Anchorage.
A 2011 count by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game 
estimated roughly 1,540 moose living in Anchorage.  

Wood bison can exceed plains bison in size

Meeting a brown bear up close feels better
when there is an enclosure barrier

Byron Glacier near Portage, AK is easy to view...

...from a number of angles