Living in Alaska: January 2011

You may be wondering why I would title a post “Walking on Water with Our Sunglasses on!” Well, just to satisfy your curiosity, I will tell you. I created this very title because it is specifically what we did on this fine Sunday afternoon.

After a morning at church, Mike and I had a quick bite to eat and came home to change into our snow clothes. We then hopped into the car and headed over to Chena Lakes Recreational Area. When we got there, we decided to head down the Lake Area instead of the River Area. We were absolutely amazed by what we saw!

We saw a row of Ice Houses for ice fishing. We saw cars parked on the lake. We saw snow machiners zipping over the ice at what seemed to be record speeds. We saw cross country skiers being pulled by dogs (this would be called skijoring). We saw people sitting around fires that were built on top of the ice. Wow, it was a lot to take in!

As I was sitting in the car taking in the sights, Mike was apparently plotting a secretive plan of driving across the frozen lake without me knowing it. He obviously did not think about potential dangers of driving a 4000 lb vehicle across a body of frozen water. If I were contemplating this hazardous act, I would have been asking the following questions:

· How thick is the ice?
· Are there any cracks in the ice?
· Since I’m not the only car on the ice, how much weight will the ice hold?
· Have I said goodbye to my family and friends?
· Is my life insurance paid and up to date?

But, you know, it wasn’t me planning this daring drive. It was my dear, sweet husband. In fact, I had no idea he was thinking of doing this until he had driven down the boat ramp and onto the lake.

At that point, I was asking the above questions at the speed of light. I then encouraged, no demanded, him to drive off the frozen lake and to park the car in the parking lot like other “normal” people who are not used to driving on water. It was only later that Mike pointed out that we were the only ones parked in the parking lot. Hmmm, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of normalcy in North Pole.

Trying not to spoil the entire day, I suggested that instead of driving on water, that we should walk on it. So that is what we did. We put on our sunglasses (since we now have 6 hours and 41 minutes of daylight) and headed out for a nice hike across Chena Lakes.

It was a lovely day! We enjoyed the 5 degree temperatures, the sunshine, the ice fishermen, the skijoring people, and the beauty of Alaska. After our hour out, we headed back in and found that someone had abandoned a campfire on the ice. So, we took advantage of it and warmed our hands. Of course, in the back of my mind, I’m thinking, “If you build a fire on an icy lake, will the heat from the fire melt the ice? If so, will it crack and swallow us up?”

Well, obviously, it didn’t. We made it back home just fine. I can’t wait to go back out there again. Maybe next time, I will drive on the ice and let Mike enjoy it from the passenger’s seat.

The lake is covered with snow and ice

and graced by beautiful sunshine.

In the summer, no motorized boats are allowed

on the lake. I think it should include

motorized cars in the winter.

Of course, you cannot drive your car past this point.

If it were up to me, this sign would have been

at the edge of the parking lot, not on the lake.

Ice houses dotted the lake. This one was empty

and available for rent. Do I have any takers?

Only $25 a day!

If you can break the ice in this hole, you can spend

the day waiting for very cold fish to wake up and

take the bait from your line.

Sign me up for the Ice House. It has a TV antenna!

Hearty Alaskans sit around a hot fire on the
cold ice and fish all day long.

Why do they do this? Maybe it's relaxing.

Maybe it's a stress reliever. Maybe it's insanity.

Kristie smiles once they have crossed the lake

and are on solid ground.

Mike walks on water, frozen water, that is!
With his sunglasses on, I might add!

Snow machiners zip across the lake.
Mike is convinced that we need to buy two

snow machines, two helmets and more life insurance.

This is more my speed. Hook me up to a dog, put on a

pair of cross country skis and let the dog do all the work!

No helmet needed.

This wouldn't be too bad either, except I don't

know how to ride a bike.

We found an isolated outhouse on an

island in the middle of the lake.

Hey, if your out on the island and nature calls,

you have a place to go!

That happened to Mike.

Nature called and he went!

After crossing the lake at least twice, Mike finds an

abandoned fire and warms himself.

Hot fire and cold ice appears, in my mind, unlikely friends.

Mike insists on driving on the ice to pick me up after our walk.

Taking no chances, I get as close to shore as possible for him to pick me up.

Last year, Mike and I spent New Year's Day in the White Mountains snowshoeing. In reality, the snow was not very deep and we didn't need the snowshoes. So, when Mike suggested that we take our snowshoes, I said, "Oh, honey! There's not enough snow up there to need our snowshoes. Let's just go for a simple hike." Man, was I wrong. The snow was thigh deep in most places!

You can check out some video Mike shot (I thought he was just taking pictures) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onZnX7pM8O4&feature=share

Mike bundles up in his warmest winter gear.