Hatcher Pass lake

Here's another view of a small, beautiful lake along the Hatcher Pass road.

A lake on Hatcher Pass

In the flatlands of Hatcher Pass, there are several beautiful lakes and rivers. This is one of the lakes.

More Hatcher Pass mountains

Another gorgeous view of the Hatcher Pass mountains.

Hatcher Pass road entrance

I believe I took this photo when I first got on the dirt/gravel of the Hatcher Pass road. After all these trips, it's still an exhilirating feeling to get on the beginning of the road, and realize the only way you're possibly going to make it up the hill is to put the car in first gear, and take your time.

Unusual Alaska sighting #47

In one of the more unusual things I've seen in a little while, a man parked his motorcycle at the grocery store, got off the bike, grabbed his cane, and limped into the store. Now that's dedication.

Earthquake near Willow, Talkeetna, and Wasilla

After enjoying a beautiful day out on Hatcher Pass, I started to look around the town of Willow, Alaska, but decided I was tired, and headed home to take a nap. My short nap was quickly interrupted by a 5.0 earthquake, centered about 40 miles WNW of Wasilla.

Here's an image from the U.S.G.S. website, showing the location and magnitude of the earthquake:

Clean, minimalist Drupal themes

During the last few days I decided to redesign this website to give it more of an "Alaska look and feel", and what you're seeing now is the result of that effort. I wanted to created a website design that had a clean, minimalist look and feel, but something that also had a touch of Alaska to it.

Sunlit mountain top in Hatcher Pass, Alaska

This is one of my favorite photos from Hatcher Pass, a sunlit mountain top with ominous clouds hovering behind the mountain.

Dam in Independence Mine (Hatcher Pass, Alaska)

Here's one view of a small man-made dam in Independence Mine. It amazes me what people must have had to do to live in Independence Mine and Hatcher Pass nearly 100 years ago.

Independence Mine, Hatcher Pass, Alaska - creek view

Another view of a creek in the Independence Mine area of Hatcher Pass, Alaska.

Independence Mine - railway

This is one of my favorite views in Independence Mine. From some areas as you look out over the railway you can see Wasilla and the MatSu Valley in the distance, and the town below.

Independence Mine - mine entrance

Here's a view from the mine entrance in Independence Mine. This is standing in the mine entrance, looking out.

Independence Mine - Danger, Do Not Enter

This "Danger, Do Not Enter" sign in Independence Mine made me laugh. No problem guys, I won't be entering that door any time soon.

Creek at Independence Mine (Hatcher Pass, Alaska)

Here's one view of the creeks that run through Independence Mine in Hatcher Pass, Alaska.

Buildings at Independence Mine, Hatcher Pass, Alaska (2)

Another view of the old buildings at Independence Mine, Hatcher Pass, Alaska.

Buildings at Independence Mine, Hatcher Pass, Alaska

A view of some of the old buildings at Independence Mine, Hatcher Pass, Alaska.

Wasilla, as seen from Hatcher Pass

Wasilla and the MatSu valley, as seen from Hatcher Pass.

Hatcher Pass mountains

Another great view of the mountains in Hatcher Pass.

Sunlight in the Hatcher Pass mountains

Here's a wonderful view of the sunlight in the Hatcher Pass mountains.

Little Susitna river in Hatcher Pass (2)

Another view of the Little Susitna river in Hatcher Pass.