Avalanche Class

Here, in the Valley of Dragons, also known as Hatcher Pass, I spent three days with my fellow backcountry travelers, learning how not to be in avalanche paths.

This is me on our last outing of the class. We are inspecting the layers at the edge of a very recent avalanche. Brian assured me I was not in the photo. Liar. That smile is all about being glad I had not yet slid down the steep slope I just crawled up.

Wow, look at those layers. I wonder what is holding the rest of this snow in place?

Ever wonder if the view is worth the hike while you are slogging up a steep hill? I decided not to turn around and judge it partway up. And I was pleasantly surprised from the top.

'What was I thinking? What was I, blind? Of course I would have to hike up hills in this course. I wonder where my inhaler is?'

This is the way we shovel the snow, shovel the snow, shovel the snow. This is the way we shovel the snow to get our buried treasure. Oh, I had 1.5 hours of sleep the previous night and was feeling a little loopey by the afternoon. Thank goodness I wasn't driving.

'You get over there? Really? Because I get a stronger signal over here. Oh, let's just dig.'

All photo credits to Brian Aho, an awesome member of AMRG who has been in all the training classes I've made it to.

Hey Mom!

Are you keeping up with my blog? I thought I would just check and see. I did a little shopping for you. I know how much you like to shop and how much extra time you have on your hands and how many stores there are within 100 miles of your home. So I bought you a new coat. Online. And it's being shipped to your house. Er, your mailbox. So don't forget to check your mail. And you won't be surprised if you've been reading this. Don't worry, it's machine washable. I remember how many dry cleaners there aren't where you live. And I'm sure I get my dry cleaning genes from someone. My special trick goes like this: save up a few items to take to cleaners to make the trip worthwhile, finally remember to put items in truck, and remember to drop off, several weeks after they call me to tell me my stuff is clean remember to stop back in and pick up clothes, then I pay and attempt to leave without my clothes. Who do I get that from?

Puzzle Addiction

Remember that puzzle box from the last post? Last night I discovered that when the weather has been crap for long enough, it can be a problem. Smokey and I stayed up about 3 hours past my bedtime putting together the polar bear puzzle while watching Dukes of Hazard and Gilmore Girls. We're now out of netflix. Turns out the box has 3 puzzles in it. He did the penguin one mostly without me while I was out playing in the snow for 3 days learning about how not to die in an avalanche. I would love to show you some pictures of that, but I couldn't keep the camera batteries warm enough to boot up the camera. That and a guy from one of the groups I volunteer with was also there, with a very impressive camera and he promised to send me his pictures. As soon as I get 'em I'll show you Hatcher Pass in all her glory. And you'll drool and love it. I might have to buy skis now. To go with my new beacon. And a snow saw. Maybe some new poles too. The list never seems to get shorter, why is that?

Smokey says he's going to try out his new studded bike tires today. I have to pick up the organic produce box, so we couldn't both ride. I get my turn tomorrow, so stay tuned for details of riding on ice with a thin layer of snow on top. Not sure how that will go since I almost fell on my hinney one step out the door with the dogs this morning.

Conclusion of Tucum Saga

Ah yes, the joys of working on a truck in the winter in Anchorage. It finally warmed up enough by Tuesday that I took the morning off and Smokey and I installed the block heater. It's a good thing he was there because a lot of force was needed to dislodge a part in the block and I just don't like to beat on anything that hard. I thought we were home free after that. I recall saying things like "great, the slave cylinder should take like ten minutes". Man, I hate when I am wrong. It would have taken ten minutes if the bloomin' nut wasn't stuck. I even resorted to calling Dad and asking what would happen if I cut the line off. He patiently suggested a couple other things I might try first. Three days later we got it off. That's right, folks, after nearly four months, Tucum is up and running.

This is what the world looks like when you are wearing your orange tinted oakleys. Great for bike riding in low light conditions and doubles well as safety glasses to keep crap that falls off under the truck out of your eyes. Stay tuned for a post about biking tomorrow.

I demanded a celebration. We promptly drove Tucum to the store and procured appropriate celebratory materials: ice tea, donuts (with sprinkles) and a cheap puzzle. Watch out world, here I come! We toasted Tucum in the parking lot. Or maybe it was the fact that we didn't wreck on the sheet of ice this city has become with our 70+ degree increase in temperature over two days.

A Tale of Two Kitties

Say Hello to My Little Friend

Smokey surprised me on Saturday with a trip to a local music store. We've been eyeing it since we moved here since it is less than 2 blocks from both our workplaces. I wanted a harmonica for Christmas (also a mandolin and a banjo) and I didn't get one. Turns out they are cheap. Perfect entertainment, in fact, for apartment bound city dwellers. We are already churning out duets of Big Rock Candy Mountain. Every night. I even cranked out a few notes this morning from memory. I think it will be a while before we're ready to take it on the road. Which is fine since it started raining last night and our world is now a frozen wasteland. That's a 50+ degree warm up in less than a week. Nope, nothing to worry about there.

Meet Smokey

'Hi Mo's people, my name is Smokey. I got this sweet Carhart vest from her for Christmas. I think it goes nicely with my curly ribbon in my curly hair.'

'I just loves me my long hair. It goes great with my beard. Especially whenI fluff it out. I think it makes me look very Alaskan. The Pendleton shirt helps with the image. She likes to tell people about how I'm growing my hair out for Locks of Love, but really I can't bear to part with my locks anymore.'

'Back when we lived on the island I found my short hair tiresome. It made women flock to me. They even went to the trouble of voting me 'best butt on the island'. And there was some stiff competition.'

'Now that I've conquered Alaska I think I'll start thinking about Africa. Or maybe Antarctica. Somewhere that starts with an A for sure.'

***These are all the pictures I can find for now. See my craft blog for an in-depth look at Smokey's multiple modeling looks!***

Simple Entertainment

Ah, winter, the time of year when it's possible for it to get too cold to go outside and play. The time when we turn our attention indoors, to.......our pets doing amusing things.







I swear this is not a picture of Tatonka about to take a dump on the living room floor. This is the point at which it has become less of a game for him and he is thinking that maybe a bag on his head is not such a good idea.

And this is him two seconds after I have freed him from the bag. He is nothing if not thoroughly obsessive about his food.

A Little More Kissmoose

Loot from Mom's neck of the woods. I think the hot cocoa is from my niece. She must have retained something about her auntie living in Alaska where it's cold. Bless her little soul; I love hot cocoa.

Guess who made out like fat cats? There was a whole seperate box just for the pets.

This new toy came complete with a human to operate it.

We were even graced with a rare appearance from the great white Frog. He opted for playing with the belled tiger toy that the Bear did not enjoy. Turns out he likes toys with bells. He likes playing with them all night long while the dogs are kenneled and the humans are trying to sleep. Bless his furry little soul!

Someday this will seem like a bad dream

So, it was -27 on the way to work this morning. I have had the parts for my truck since the weekend but can't seem to make myself get outside and put them on when I get home at night. I heard a rumor that it is going to warm up to +15 in the next week. That will feel tropical.

I finally took up an offer extended by a very generous friend of mine here in town and went to the gym on Monday. I ran on the gerbil wheel and feel a little less like climbing the walls. I haven't run so close to so many people since college. There were four rows of machines in the room I was in, and at least a dozen tvs on the wall. It was an odd experience. I'm headed back for another dose this weekend and I think I'll stick to the pool. And maybe the sauna. Perhaps some weight machines. Or maybe I will continue to get up early each morning and do yoga at home like I did this morning.

On another random note, I cooked dinner last night. I used this recipie: http://www.alisonslunch.com/index.php/site/print-recipe/indian_diced_potatoes_with_greens/ and we'll be eating leftovers for several days. It was a little time consuming, like an hour and a half, but it is yummy. And it gave Smokey time to change the right blinker light on his truck. And I got to use my new-to-me square cast iron skillet. And Smokey cleaned it when I was done. Yippee!! Don't laugh, you try living in this cold and see what straws you grasp for a little joy!

I think I could get used to this whole one job thing. My kitchen is clean, my laundry is getting put away, my floor has been de-furred, and my cats are getting spoiled. And it's been less than a week. If it doesn't warm up soon I'll have the whole place clean, sorted, and tidy with several books read and sweaters knit. Maybe I'll see if they make ski wax for temps this low......