Four Days in Hope, AK

We traveled south from Denali and camped here just below Palmer. The scenery has been wonderful. Unfortunately the campground this picture was taken at was anything but picturesque. More like a trailer park and feet from a very busy highway with a barking dog beside us. But there was beauty even here. A lake nearby had a loon that we enjoyed watching. One night and on down the road!

July 4^th, we traveled south of Anchorage to Hope, AK. This is the location of the first discovery of gold in Alaska. Once a boom town in the 1890's it quickly lost its appeal as the strikes in other areas drew the people away and it now close to a ghost town with 150 full time residents. This gives us a true feeling of old Alaska. We are here to visit our old friend from Shippensburg, Denny, who now lives here. He has been a great tour guide of this area and is very proud of this gem in the mountains.

 Friday, we rode our bikes around the town. There is a library, espresso shop, a couple artists/gift shops, museum, cafe and bar. A number of old miner's homes and cabins through out the hillsides. While in town we saw a cow moose with twin calves feeding along the road. We had lunch at the Cafe, Les had halibut fish and chips, while I opted for the Caesar Salad with grilled halibut. Very good and fresh fish.

 In the afternoon we saw a cow moose grazing just behind the campground. You are living with the wildlife here. Later, Denny took us on a drive through an alpine valley, Palmer Creek. July and snow still by the road. On the way back we caught a glimpse of the lights of Anchorage. We are noticing the evenings are getting a bit darker. This picture was taken at midnight.

Our last day, Denny shared one of his “spots” with Les for mining gold. Resurrection Creek is a favorite site to dig gold. Many people come here, set up camp and work the stream. There is a right way to shake that pan and show the gold you shoveled from the bank. Les provided the back work of shoveling the gravel and Denny showed him the technique.

July 8^th we move on to explore the Kenai Penninsula.