We traveled over Hatcher Pass today, a very bumpy gravel road with good memories of from our trip to Alaska several years ago. Along the way we watched a pair of beavers working on their lodge, saw several people panning for gold, and laughed with a mom who said that the flake of gold her daughter found would pay for their whole trip. The old Independence mine at the top of the pass has been turned into a state park and was full of people. Very different from our visit years ago when we were the only people around.

The last few days have been very busy. After we left Grand View was stopped in Palmer, near Anchorage, to take care of a few things. The campground there was friendly and welcoming. Breland had the oil changed and we did grocery shopping and laundry. We hiked along a river bed and in the Eagle River Nature Preserve.

Our next stop was Willow. We stayed on a campground on Willow Creek and were able to see the large king salmon who cme to the creek to spawn. The salmon draw eagles and sea gulls. Talkeetna had their Moose Droppings Festival going on so we didn't linger there. Instead we talked with fishermen along the various streams.

After our drive today we've packed everything up again tonight and tomorrow will leave for Denali. I've booked the reservations at the campground 30 miles within the Park back in February. We won't have electricity or internet for five days. I so look forward to being back in that beautiful park.