The families from Wasilla that we met yesterday suggested that we visit Hatcher Pass and the old Independence Mine. Much of Hatcher Pass was still closed for the winter, but we were able to drive up from Palmer to the mine. Along the way, we saw signs indicating that recreational gold mining was allowed. Intrigued, we stopped at a pullout and walked down to the stream and picked out some golden flakes that we thought might be gold dust. Once at the mine, we learned that what we had collected was actually biotite. Valerie was excited to look for more gold, so we borrowed some rudimentary panning equipment from the Alaska State Parks rangers and went down to another stream. We failed to find any gold, but had fun trying.

Because the hostel in Girdwood was full last time we visited, we decided to head back to Girdwood to try our luck again. Along the way, we stopped at several turnouts along Turnagain Arm on the Seward Highway. At Bird Point, a sign noted that a bore tide was going to occur just about an hour after we arrived. Valerie was excited, so we stayed to watch. The bore tide was a relatively small wave and relatively boring. However, up on the nearby hill, some people spotted a grizzly bear that had killed a cub and several bears fighting for the carcass. While we couldn’t see anything without binoculars, other tourists gave us a blow-by-blow of the events on the hill.

We’re staying at the Glacier View B&B in Girdwood. The owner recommended a restaurant called Jack Sprat for dinner where Valerie ordered some king salmon that was cooked perfectly.