North to Alaska, 2.0

 I'm finally getting around to posting more about what we did on our recent trip to Alaska with stops coming and going in the Seattle area. I am modifying a post I did on the trip on our first two days below, now that I have more time, so some of it may look familiar.

 Another morning of getting up at 0 dark thirty. The Seattle airport was huge and crazy busy, so it was a good thing we got there early. 

However, the flight was uneventful, and we were met by our friends in Anchorage. We haven't seen these friends, B and Bo, in over 30 years, so we had a good time catching up on the details of our lives.

B and Bo took us to the Alaska Zoo for a low-key activity on our travel day. We thought that was a great idea since we try to visit zoos when we travel. This zoo specializes in Alaskan animals and rehabilitates animals as well as displays them. The star of the day was the polar bear, who was quite active. 

Bears are featured heavily in all things Alaska. This bear was at the entrance to the zoo.

It was also fun to go downstairs and watch the polar bear swimming underwater.

This musk ox was seeing if the grass was really greener
 on the other side of the fence.

The next morning, we headed to Hatcher Pass, a scenic pass in the Talkeetna Mountains located between Willow and Palmer, Alaska. Specifically, we visited the abandoned Independence Gold Mine there. Gold is one of the key factors that drew the US and others to develop Alaska. Independence Mine was active from 1897 to 1950, with a break during WWII. There was more activity in the 1970s. At its peak, the mine had 16 families living there and 206 workers. The mine camp is now a state historic site.

Some of the buildings had been restored, and some were in ruins.

We took a tour of the mine camp, which was interesting. We were a bit surprised by the amount of snow still on the ground. In some places, it was a good 4" deep. The snow was slippery at times, and I was glad I had my boots on. However, B and Bo brought along their springer spaniel, who was living his best life playing in it. 

Bo was showing me the trails they like to hike. However, it was decided that they would be too snowy and muddy for a hike today. Charlie, their dog, was ready to go, however.

Ward loves a train, no matter what kind it is.

The drive home through the Talkeetnas was spectacular. In fact, just about any direction we turned on this trip, the scenery was breathtaking.

Each evening, B cooked a good meal, and we enjoyed relaxing after dinner, chatting about this and that during the endless light of the evening.

 Until next time…