Panning For Gold Near Mt. McKinley

Some memories are worth more than gold.

collage by the author on canva.com

I grew up on a homestead in Eagle River, Alaska, which wasn’t as exciting as you may expect. Yes, gorgeous scenery and lots of peace and quiet. But mostly the inconveniences of no water, plumbing, or electricity.

And then there was Breakup, the season after winter and before summer: mud, a tangle of bogs, swamps…