Dip-Climbing

On Saturday, a few of us decided to explore a place called Hatcher Pass, or more specifically Independence Mine. It is an old gold mining town that was working up until the 50s. It is now a state park and pretty nifty. But it is always an adventure with us and in true exploring style we got lost on the way there. So we stopped in a pleasant little town named Wasilla (which many of you may have heard of due to the Palin years) at a liquor store to ask directions. As we entered the liquor store, we asked the young woman cashier if she knew where Hatcher Pass was? She responded, "of course I do, I'm a local." Well here were the directions from miss local. 

Thankkkkkkk you. So many jokes to say, but not enough souls to lose in saying them. 

So after stopping at a gas station, we finally found our way to the gold mine (literally): Independence Mine. 

An amazing place. Totally destroyed sadly, but it adds to the appeal! 

And so do we! We needed our own exhibit! Also, see how I am the mule here? Typical. But yes, this was a historic preservationist's dream! Do much to do, so much to touch!

Anyway later in the day, we all decided to go for a hike aka climb up this hill or mountain or...land mass. 

Well...Kathryn and I got a little overzealous, we climbed until about 50 feet from the top! And on the way up, we discovered this. 

Miller Lite in the flesh! Cue sweatband! 

We also found some pretty spectacular views at the top!

See those white buildings in the background? Those are the buildings pictured above!

Eventually due to hunger, we started our descent down cat-calling Kelly along the way. Can you find her? Where's Kelly?

And after reaching the bottom, some of us (aka Kathryn and myself) felt a little dirty...can't imagine why.

(the new infamous picture) 

So we did another hike to a glacier-fed lake. 

Where in true mischievous style, we took a dip to clean our dirty selves. 

The causalities of our dip. Yup, glacier cold water in this. Hello polar plunge. 

So all-in-all, it was a dip-climbing sort of day or should I say a climb-dip? Either way, we climbed, we dipped, we saw...and apparently, so did everyone else.