A Weekend of Fun and Thanksgiving

Mike and I had a wonderful Sunday afternoon. We met up with the Fairbanks Area Snowshoeing Club at Ester Dome. We set out for a two hour snowshoe hike through wooded areas of birch trees and snow covered trails.

Mike and Kristie blaze a trail through snow covered woods.

Mike stays warm with his winter-weather gear.

Kristie's glasses fog over in the cold air.

Mike poses with his snowshoes.

Kristie stops to catch her breath.

Happy Birthday!

On Saturday evening, Mike and I were invited to celebrate the 9th birthday of Leanna. Leanna and her family are being relocated to another state. They will be moving this week and we will miss them very much!

Leanna is excited about her birthday!

Happy birthday, Leanna!

Mike and Kristie celebrate Leanna's birthday.

Frozen!

At exactly 6:30 this morning, the alarm clock went off and Mike lazily rolled out of bed to get coffee and tea. I yawned, stretched and rolled over to look at the indoor/outdoor thermometer. To my amazement, it read a horrifyingly 19.8 below zero! Brrrr!!!!

For about 30 minutes, I thought that Mike and I would be much better off staying home from church and tucked under our electric blanket. However, Mike being the spiritual one, stated that if we didn't go to church, we wouldn't go hiking. So, I pulled off the covers, shivered once and headed for the kitchen.

If I was going out in this kind of cold, I needed a hot bowl of oatmeal to get started! After a quick breakfast and getting ready, we were off to North Pole Worship Center. By the time we got to church it had warmed up to 11 below zero. Can you say, "Heat wave?"

Once we left church, Mike and I ran home and began to prepare for our 6 below zero hike. What should we take? What should we wear? I had one thing in mind. Stay warm! I put on two pair of long underwear, two sweaters, a fleece vest, two pairs of socks, ear warmers, and a polar fleece hat. I thought to myself, "Okay, cold, come and get me!"

After Mike bundled himself up, we got into the car to drive to Cripple Creek. Within two minutes, we were both sweating. Mike swerved all over the road while trying to take off his coat. After regaining control, we were well on our way to our coldest hike ever.

At promptly 1:00 p.m., we met with six friends from the Fairbanks Area Hiking Club. Our intent was to snowshoe. However, the trail was well packed from snow machiners. So, we decided just to hike it.

Within 20 minutes of hiking, my hair began to freeze. Within 30 minutes, I was so hot that I had to take off my coat and tie it around my waist. How in the world could it be possible to be hot and sweaty at 6 below zero? Beats me! All I know is that I was hot.

By the end of our hike, Mike and I were pretty well frozen. Within a few minutes, the car was warmed, the heated seats on and Mike and I were toasty warm.

Any time you want to enjoy some extreme winter weather and beautiful hikes, come for a visit. I think we could arrange both!

Mike and Kristie have frozen hats and frozen hair.

After getting a little overheated, Kristie sheds her coat.

Mike and Kristie at the beginning of the hike.

6 below zero is a wee bit cold for hiking.

This frozen trail leads no where.

12 Degree Hike

A few weeks ago, I wrote about what people in Alaska do on a Sunday afternoon in October. Well, October has come and gone. Now, we are into November. If you have ever thought to question what people do for entertainment when the cold sets in, I have your answer. Well, at least from our perspective.

On this beautiful, sunny, 12 degree afternoon, Mike and I decided to go for a short hike at Chena Lakes Recreational Area. We put on our snow "gear" and headed out.

We walked along a trail where snow machines have carved a path. We enjoyed the scenery and the quiet. We came upon a small clearing and I had the irresistable urge to lay in the snow and make a snow angel. The urge overcame me and I plopped myself on the ground. As I lay there and stared at the sky, I began to think, "I sure hope no one strolls by and sees me." So, I quickly made my angel and got up. However, not before Mike snapped some pictures.

Mike and I walked for about an hour. It is amazing how peaceful it is when it's too cold to talk and all you here is the crunching of snow under your feet!

Mike is prepared for the cold with his new neck gaitor!

Kristie is glad to take a break in front of this white spruce.

Kristie's lips are too frozen to smile.

Mike will do ANYTHING to stay warm.

A child-like Kristie makes her first snow angel.

Either Kristie is feeling a very deep peace or she's too cold to move.