(Plans) Historic Crow Creek Gold Mine (!!!) -- Girdwood AK

Yep! On June 20th, if the weather cooperates, we plan to try our hand(s) at panning for gold! There are historic buildings gathered here. "Miners" are given equipment to use and can see what they can collect out of the creek. The website promises "lots of photographs!" which means I obviously can't skip this place, right?!

I will certainly post photos of our "miners" ... and we will let you know if we "strike it rich" !! (yeah, right...)

More information: http://www.crowcreekmine.com/index.htm/History_of_a_Gold_Mine.html

(Plans) Whitehorse Yukon Territories

We don't know for sure how much energy we will have for sightseeing by the time we have gotten this far (historical milepost 918 on the Alaskan Highway). We know we plan some rest and relaxation time for the 4 nights and 3 full days we will be here.

Some of the sightseeing possibilities include:

Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre (about the animals and people who crossed the bering land bridge and lived in this area): www.beringia.com

SS Klondike (Canadian) National Historic Site (tour of a sternwheeler boat which helped supply the Klondike gold camps): http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/yt/ssklondike/index_e.asp

If we still have energy after the above, we may check out the Yukon Transportation Museum (cars, planes, and a whole lot more) www.yukontransportationmuseum.ca

We will let you know what we decide to do...and what we think of the places we visit!

(Plans) The Days of '98 Show -- Skagway AK

We are hoping to catch this musical revue show about Soapy Smith on May 18th. We learned a little bit about this con-man from studying Colorado Mining History. Eventually, Soapy made his way up to the gold camps of Alaska.

For more information about the show: http://thedaysof98show.eskagway.com/index.htm

For more information about con-man Soapy Smith: http://www.soapysmith.net/page35.html

(Plans) Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park -- Skagway AK

This will be our first stop in Alaska. Skagway doesn't actually connect directly to other parts of Alaska by any route other than by ferry, so this will be a short 3 night/2 day visit (May 17th through May 20th) back to the USA surrounded by time in Canada both before and after this.

Skagway was the entry point for the Klondike Gold Rush miners to head further north to the gold fields in search of riches. This Visitor's Center tells the story of hopes and heartbreaks for these miners. I wish we could attempt to hike at least part of the Chilkoot Trail...but we are definitely NOT prepared for that much difficulty! (Yes, we would have FAILED as Klondike Gold Rush miners!)

Anna will get another Junior Ranger badge here to add to her collection.

For more information: http://www.nps.gov/klgo/index_old.htm