Lake Hike

On our 2nd day of camping we went for a hike. Brad and I were with Bo and we didn't make it quite as far so we didn't get a chance to see the lake.  The rest of the kids had a great time and everyone but Brody took a dip in the lake. 

 

 

 

Tree time

Our campsite was big enough for all of us which was so nice. But it didn't really have a great place to hang out other than the campsite. The lake wasn't good for swimming or just being near it so we didn't really spend much time there. The bugs were crazy....thankfully not very many mosquitos. 

 

It still was a fun weekend of hanging out and being in the woods. 

 

Independence Lake

We went on our annual backpacking trip the last weekend of the summer. We went to Independence Lake up north. The road was blocked on our way to the trail head so we had to do some manuevering of rocks to help the minivan get over the big bump.

 

15!

The day after we returned from Alaska we had a birthday party for Colt. (His actual birthday was the next day but Brad was going to be out of town for a business trip). 

 

It was great to celebrate Colt.   We didn't have a camping birthday this year because of our travel schedule but hope we can make it happen next year.  

This was also our first family event without Fafa and we definitely missed him. 

Can't believe this boy is 15!

 

Heading Home

After prospecting we drove the rest of the way to Anchorage. It was a little over an hour and thankfully with the sun setting so late it didn't matter that it was after 10 when we got into Anchorage.  We stayed at an RV park for the night and the next morning we woke up and got ready to leave.  

 

We went to downtown Anchorage and had some breakfast at a biscuit bar.   

 

Then we had to say goodbyes to the Barnetts.  There may have been a few tears. 

 

 

 

We returned our RV then made our way to the airport.    

We had such a great trip and are so thankful we were able to go.

Prospector John

We left Homer and had about a 5 hour drive back to Anchorage. We stopped in Soldotna for lunch. 

 

After lunch I suggested we stop at Prospector John's Gold Panning.  It was a place I had researched and was hoping to do while we were in Cooper Landing but I also didn't want to overschedule us.  So I said let's just stop by to see what it is about. 

 

When we got there we met Prospector John and he told us what options we had.  We could stay and buy a bag of gold and pan for it at their location or we could take a 2 hour boat ride to see their claim and pan for gold out there.  The only problem is he could only take 6 people.  Jeff, Tracey & Chase were fine staying back and I said I would stay back too.   Brad took the kids on this adventure.   I was nervous that it would be a waste of money and time.   

 

When they got back I asked Brad how it was and he said "Awesome!  I wish it was longer and I wish you all could have come with us."

 

Prospector John driving the boat to the claim. 

Specks of Gold in the gold pan. 

This was from Tracey and I panning for gold back at their shop.

This is part of their claim.

Prospector John showing them some ways they used to mine for gold.

Prospector Steve lives at the claim 6 days a week helping with the tourists and also mapping out places where they have discovered gold. 

They all got a chance to pan for gold from the actual claim.   

This is exactly what Brad wanted.

And they all found some gold. 

Group Photo.  Prospector Mike is at the bottom.  He was also there to help.

 Even though I missed out on this adventure I am so glad the rest of my family was able to experience it and it was such a nice end to our Alaskan adventure.