Our local volcano has been busy. There have been a series of eruptions beginning last Sunday. Saturday night, we got our first taste of the ash cloud that is created each eruption. Made the snow a dirty gray color. Not too much but enough to know we don't want anymore. Much worse in some places like Anchorage. Also very disruptive on the airplanes. Have a friend who went for a weekend trip to Ruth Glacier, the base camp area for climbers of Mt McKinley. Due to the eruptions, her departure was delayed...by 4 days. Luckily her group was well supplied with food.
Neighbors geese are acting up. After spending the entire winter together the flock has split into separate camps. Each side consists of a goose and a gander. Lucky me, one side has decided to live under my deck. Nothing like being hissed at every time you step outside.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
MORE GLOBAL WARMING
Looking at the electric bill I see that the average temp in Big Lake for March is listed as 18. Last year the March average was 29. Interesting stuff. Its certainly been warmer the past few days with temperatures reaching the upper 30's and then just dropping to right at or just below freezing at night. Spring has sprung I guess. Maybe April will be warmer than last years average of 30. And with any luck at all we will see warmer temps this summer. After all, it won't take much to best the 51,56,56 we had last year for June July and August.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Busy Month
March has been busy. After distinguishing ourselves at snowshoe softball, we put on the party hat and hosted an Iditarod Slumber Party. Had a houseful of people (14) and lots of good food. Sunday morning we headed to Willow for the official start of the Iditarod. My second time and it was just as much fun as before. Got to see all the racers start this year and spent some time viewing the various dog teams on pit row.
March 12 had me at the airport picking up my brother Matt and his daughter Shelby. It was a real treat showing them Alaska for the first time. Snowshoeing at Hatcher Pass, cabin camping at Byers Lake, the ice festival in Fairbanks, another night of cabin life on Chena River (minus 15) and a beautiful day in Seward.
In the midst of all that activity, winter technically ended. Weather had been very pleasant and yesterday we hit 40. Lows are just reaching the teens during early morning hours although a cold forecast has been issued for early next week. Had a slight snowfall Saturday night but nothing big. My deck is snow free although my woodpile is virtually gone. Hope I make it!
Big news of late (besides Mackey dominating the race) was the eruption of Mt Redoubt, one of the local volcanos. No effects here but further north the ash cloud was a problem.
Another indication of spring is the geese next door laying eggs. Never had a goose egg for breakfast but I was given one yesterday so that will change tomorrow. So stay tuned!
March 12 had me at the airport picking up my brother Matt and his daughter Shelby. It was a real treat showing them Alaska for the first time. Snowshoeing at Hatcher Pass, cabin camping at Byers Lake, the ice festival in Fairbanks, another night of cabin life on Chena River (minus 15) and a beautiful day in Seward.
In the midst of all that activity, winter technically ended. Weather had been very pleasant and yesterday we hit 40. Lows are just reaching the teens during early morning hours although a cold forecast has been issued for early next week. Had a slight snowfall Saturday night but nothing big. My deck is snow free although my woodpile is virtually gone. Hope I make it!
Big news of late (besides Mackey dominating the race) was the eruption of Mt Redoubt, one of the local volcanos. No effects here but further north the ash cloud was a problem.
Another indication of spring is the geese next door laying eggs. Never had a goose egg for breakfast but I was given one yesterday so that will change tomorrow. So stay tuned!
Monday, March 2, 2009
Frosty Balls
Winter hasn't left us yet. Saturday morning the snow started falling and by days end, there was 18 plus inches of new powder at my place. It made the drive into and back from Anchorage for the Snowshoe Softball tournament quite the ordeal. Overturned cars, cars in ditches, lane closures...no fun at all. Softball was a blast and my team actually won a game. Pretty good for a bunch of folks who haven't played in forever. Best I can remember, its been 23 years for me. I went four for four at the plate and didn't drop any balls so I was satisfied. Falling down while running the bases was common as the harder you try to run the more likely you are to fall. Everyone on team Frosty Balls had fun so that was the main thing.
Speaking of Frosty balls, it was minus 24 this morning. Totally unexpected as it was 18 above when we went to bed last night. The sun is out so it should warm up but its taking its time. Will spend the week getting the cabin ready for the Iditarod Race party I'm hosting on Saturday night. Nothing like a sleepover with 12 people you hardly know, especially considering the size of my small cabin. Should be fun although I'm sure the cat will disagree.
Speaking of Frosty balls, it was minus 24 this morning. Totally unexpected as it was 18 above when we went to bed last night. The sun is out so it should warm up but its taking its time. Will spend the week getting the cabin ready for the Iditarod Race party I'm hosting on Saturday night. Nothing like a sleepover with 12 people you hardly know, especially considering the size of my small cabin. Should be fun although I'm sure the cat will disagree.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Getting Close
Well technically its still aways off, but the recent sunshine sure makes it feel like we are getting close to the end of my second winter here. Today marks the first day of 10 hours of daylight. Sunrise at 8:15 and sunset at 6:15. Last night I could still see well enough at 7 pm to play ball with Champ. So at least the long long nights are over. Wont be long before its daylight almost around the clock as we gain about 5 or 6 minutes per day. No doubt winter will still throw a few surprises our way (it was minus 3 this morning) but I think the worst is over.
Had a great day Sunday snowshoeing at Hatcher Pass. Lots of deep snow but plenty of sunshine. Hope I get to take my brother and my neice there next month when they visit.
Fur Rondy kicks off this weekend. As part of the celebration I plan to play in a softball tourny on Saturday and Sunday. Being Alaska, the twist will be all players wear snowshoes. Kind of reminds you of the donkey softball games our parents played when we were kids. Should be funny, maybe even fun. Haven;t played in years so who knows what I'll sprain.
Had a great day Sunday snowshoeing at Hatcher Pass. Lots of deep snow but plenty of sunshine. Hope I get to take my brother and my neice there next month when they visit.
Fur Rondy kicks off this weekend. As part of the celebration I plan to play in a softball tourny on Saturday and Sunday. Being Alaska, the twist will be all players wear snowshoes. Kind of reminds you of the donkey softball games our parents played when we were kids. Should be funny, maybe even fun. Haven;t played in years so who knows what I'll sprain.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Staying Warm
Its still cold up here in the far north reaches of Texas. Currently 20 below. When its real cold you adapt and learn coping strategies to deal with it. Lester has learned that when the Toyo kicks on the place to be is directly in front of it so you get the pure unfiltered heat.
His other trick is to climb under the covers of a freshly made bed and do an all day bivouac.
The weather people say a warm up is in store for later this week. By weekend we may see mid 20's. And the days are getting longer. Sunrise at 8:54 and sunset at 5:33.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Duct Tape
Interesting article in the paper today about the upcoming Iron Dog snowmachine race from Big Lake to Nome and then to Fairbanks. Seems that the racers have taken to duct taping their faces to protect them from the extreme cold temperatures they often encounter. Apparently the stuff works quite well.
Bet you didn't know duct tape was invented in the 1940's to waterproof artillery boxes during WWII. Since then it has been used for any number of things...patching up airplanes that have been chewed up by grizzlies; emergency sled repair for the Iditarod; the list goes on. FYI one thing it doesn't do well is work on air conditioning ducts!
One thing is certain. Alaskans love the stuff. The two Wal Marts in Anchorage sell 10 times as many rolls annually as other lower 48 stores. In 2003, the Wal Mart in Wasilla sold 8600 rolls of the stuff, a record for sure. There is even a fancy duct tape ball in the Anchorage Marriot each year.
Bet you didn't know duct tape was invented in the 1940's to waterproof artillery boxes during WWII. Since then it has been used for any number of things...patching up airplanes that have been chewed up by grizzlies; emergency sled repair for the Iditarod; the list goes on. FYI one thing it doesn't do well is work on air conditioning ducts!
One thing is certain. Alaskans love the stuff. The two Wal Marts in Anchorage sell 10 times as many rolls annually as other lower 48 stores. In 2003, the Wal Mart in Wasilla sold 8600 rolls of the stuff, a record for sure. There is even a fancy duct tape ball in the Anchorage Marriot each year.
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