We explored Independence Mine over Memorial Day weekend. It was very smoky (at the time there was almost 200,000 acres of wildfires burning) so the vistas were a little limited but we're going back in a few weeks and hopefully with the recent rains it will be better.* We also weren't counting on so much snow and it turned into more of an adventure than we planned. The snow was thigh-deep in places so I carried Andi piggyback for most of the time. As the temperatures warmed up we punched more and more through the snow. We were all exhausted by the time we got back to the motorhome. I of course found a way to injure my knee pretty badly on the only part that was snow-free and relatively level. Derp.
Wow, that was whiny. Not what I was intending. We were exhausted in the best way, the kind that being outside and working hard at something you love produces. The mine was pretty neat and there was a nice, loose camaraderie with the other people exploring, also teetering around trying not to punch through the top layer of snow. The girls had fun especially on the ore cart train (if there's a technical term for that. . . ) and Andrew and I kept our eyes peeled for any gold nuggets left behind. Hey, you never know!! :)
* I would never complain about smoke obscuring views if lives or properties had been destroyed. The fire is now somewhat under control thank goodness and luckily the only thing a little worse for wear are Alaskan lungs. Just so you know.
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