Visiting a Town Called Hope
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It has been a crazy summer in some ways. While we’ve been busy, it has also provided the opportunity to see more of this area of Alaska.
Back in July while we had one visitor with us, we took a trip to a small town called Hope.
This community sits along the southside of Cook Inlet’s Turnagain Arm and was once a busy community. There was gold in them there hills and people came to stake their claim. While there is no longer an active mining operation there now, you can still find people visiting the area to pan for gold in the hopes of striking it rich.
The population is small, about 100 residents in total. And this is a community that has captured our hearts and we plan to visit more often.
When we visited, we took a peek near the waterfront and then visited the library. The tourist information I’d seen prior to our visit indicated it was a good spot to learn more about the area and possibly chat with the locals.
The boys enjoyed it, even taking a little time to read in their small children’s area. Chatting with the librarian (which Stephen thinks is a volunteer job), I discovered that most of their collection is donated by the residents. I’m amazed at what a nice collection they have.
We then walked about the main part of this historic town.
Except for D (who was acting up a bit) and Mr. O, we all enjoyed a brief visit to their historic museum. The structures were from the area and helped to show aspects of life when Hope was a thriving gold mining community.
I really want to go back and make a proper ‘field trip’ out of it this next year. The historical museum is only open from May through mid-September. But, I think it will be well worth the trip again. (And, we now have that area on our dream list for a piece of ‘vacation’ property…think a plot of land to call our own for tent camping.)
With such a small community, I bet they love having visitors to share their town with!
This looks like a peaceful little place to live.It’s a lovely little town and your pictures are great.Thank you.
Looks like a small town, it reminds me of an old area in NY called Richmondtown
sibabe64 at ptd dot net
Seems like such a homey tranquil place. I can’t believe so few people live there! I am visiting from the Stop and Stumble and have stumbled this post. If you have a chance and can stumble http://www.messforless.net/2011/09/color-drop-game.html that would be great.
Looks like a beautiful place to find ‘vacation property’ and to visit!
Heather,
I completely agree. Then again, we keep finding other spots that are also gorgeous and would make nice ‘vacation’ spots.
I love those pictures! I think I’d like to visit there too.
Whirlwind of Surprises
This looks like the sort of place I’d love to visit…far from the madding crowds! Thanks for sharing. Stumbled this for you.
beautiful pictures!!
wm
Looks like a lovely town! I stumbled back.
I love this! This is the sort of day that ranks way up there as far as what our family enjoys. Thank you for the photos!!
What a pretty little town!
“Survivors will be prosecuted.” I love it!
I love the sign, too. I seriously considered doing a Wordless Wednesday post with that one. Hmmm…maybe I still will and link to this post for more photos!
What a cute little town, even though there are 100 people living in it. I’ve always have admired the beauty of Alaska.
Looks like a long car ride, but what a pretty place! 🙂
The map is a bit deceiving. I think it’s a little under 2 hours from our house. So long as the weather is good, I don’t mind the drive. But, Turnagain Arm is a dangerous place when the winds are really whipping.