Layla and I took a trip up to Chatinika, a hilly
area about 40 miles north of Fairbanks.  It was
a gold mine in years past, and the valleys are filled 
with gold dredge tailing piles.  

Near the Chatinika Lodge, we found a giant (6 story?),
ancient (30-50 years old?) gold dredge stranded on a 
gravel bar (probably one that it dredged itself!) amid
hill-high piles of loose tailings.  We spent the afternoon
of June 5, 1999 wandering those piles and marvelling at
the rusting hulk.
