Little Susitna/ Independence Mine/Hatcher's Pass

When Joe got home, we headed out to Palmer (about an hour north) to go see the Little Susitna River and Independence Mine and Hatcher's Pass.

I absolutely LOVE the Little Susitna River with it's gigantic rocks and rushing water and gorgeous mountains in the background.

















We got back in the car and traveled about 15 miles up the mountain to go to Independence Mine which is an old gold mine.  Everything is literally just where it was left.  It is one of the coolest things ever.  They mined 114000 ounces of gold out of the area.  SO MUCH!











































After Independence Mine, we got back in the car and headed up the road some more (dirt road) to play on Hatcher's Pass.  Dad wanted snow so we got him some snow.  We also stopped at Summit Lake.

 Dad wanted to test how cold the water was...

On the way heading home, we saw a porcupine on the side of the road eating a flower!  SO COOL!  I have never seen one of those in the wild.  It got mad at us and puffed up it's quills at us!