Mike and Kristie with Flat Stanley

Flat Stanley is on a vacation to Alaska from

Oakman Elementary School in Oakman, Alabama.

Mike and Kristie are showing him the sights around

Fairbanks and North Pole.

What do people do in the Interior of Alaska to celebrate the arrival of Spring? Well, you might think that we pack away our winter parkas, sweaters and heavy snow gear and pull out the best of our spring clothes. WRONG!

On this beautiful day, Mike and I ushered in the Spring season by attending the Chatanika Outhouse Races. Chatanika is an unincorporated, gold mining community 20 miles northeast of Fairbanks.

Each Spring, the Chatanika Lodge hosts Chatanika Days. During this two day festival, there are many competitions. For example, there is the Long-John Contest, a Snow Machine Tug-of-War contest and a Human Ice Bowling Contest. However, the most exciting competition of the weekend is the Outhouse Races.

Now, you may be asking yourself, “What in the world is an Outhouse Race?” First, let me say this. No, it is not a competition to see who can take the most laxatives and race from outhouse to outhouse and do their business in the shortest amount of time.

For months, a team of five people work feverishly to design and build an outhouse that will be attached to a set of skis. These outhouses must have a toilet seat and all the necessities of an outhouse (roll of toilet paper, reading material, etc…). Once attached to the skis, four team members push the outhouse and the fifth member rides inside while comfortably sitting on the “throne.” The goal of the competition is to be the fastest outhouse to cross the finish line.

Today’s competition did not disappoint. There were outhouses of all designs. One of my favorites was “Old Faithful.” The rider of “Old Faithful” was an 80 year old man who desperately wanted to be a part of this event. Another popular outhouse was the “Polished Turd.” Even the church community got involved in this one. Journey Christian Church entitled their outhouse as “The Confession Booth.” In the end, the “Ice Dogs” won the event in record time.

So, when you think about Alaska in the Spring, remember the lengthening days, the sunshine, the warming temperatures and the Chatanika Outhouse Races. Spring wouldn’t be the same without them!

The Set Up

The Race!

Ice Dogs (a local professional hockey team) were the winners!

Snowshoeing to Mt. Healy

On Saturday, Mike and I drove down to Denali National Park in search of a snowy adventure. Upon our arrival, we stopped at the famous Denali National Park and Preserve to take a quick picture. We then hopped back in our car and headed for the Mt. Healy trail head.

As we were unpacking our snowshoes, another snowshoe person was getting ready to hit the trail. Mike began a friendly conversation with "Brad" and invited him to hike along with us. I was a bit leery. What did we know about this Brad person? What if he were some psychopath who had just been released from one of the many Alaska State Mental Institutions????

In my quick thinking, I began to casually inquire about Brad's life. I first asked, "So, Brad, do you live around here?" Brad said he was from Columbus, Ohio. Likely story! He also said he was an environmental engineer. He said that he was studying the air quality levels in North Pole and Fairbanks. Hmmmmmm...... This sounded very "fishy" to me! Who would actually go to school just so they could research air quality. This guy was hiding something!

As we hiked along, I watched him like a hawk. I wasn't taking my eyes off this environmental engineer. I was definitely suspicious. After about 10 minutes of climbing up a very steep grade, Brad was huffing and puffing. We stopped several time so that he could catch his breath. My thought was, if this guy is in this bad of shape, Mike and I could out run him, if we needed to.

While traveling along, Brad shared that he is single and has his parents living with him. He travels all over the world researching the quality of air. He's been to Tokyo, Auckland, New Delhi, and North Pole, Alaska. He has a Master's Degree in Environmental Engineering.

The more he talked, the more harmless he seemed. Okay, this guy was no murderer. In fact, he probably couldn't even harm an air particle.

After about 1 1/2 hours of climbing, Brad decided to turn back and head for his car. Mike and I said goodbye and continued ascending. Did I feel a little silly for being so suspicious? Maybe. However, playing this story in my mind sure made for an interesting hike and a good blog post.

After getting almost to the top, Mike and I headed back down. As we were driving home, we were able to get an incredible picture of the sun setting behind Mt. McKinley. In fact, the sky was so clear, the picture was taken from Fairbanks!

In all, Mike and I had a wonderful day. The weather was a beautiful 3o degrees (above zero). We had an awesome workout and met someone with a very boring background.

Doesn't Mike look cool?

Kristie is ready to snowshoe!

A view of the Alaska Range

Another view of the Alaska Range

Mike and "Brad"

Sort of Deep Snow

Mike carries Kristie's broken snowshoes.

Kristie takes a break.

A view of the trail

From Fairbanks, the sun sets behind Mt. McKinley.

Another sunset view of Denali.

New Year's Day in the White Mountains

On New Year’s Day, Mike and I drove to Mile 28 on the Elliot Highway to the Wickersham Dome Trail Head in the White Mountains. Our goal was to snowshoe the 5 mile ski loop. The weather was a bit cold and windy. However, it was not as bad as it had been at Angel Rocks. So, we strapped on our snowshoes and headed out.

Initially, the trail was easy to follow. While there were no markers, it was easy to see where the trail had been broken. We hiked along and enjoyed the beautiful scenery. The White Mountains were breathtaking. After about an hour, we stopped on a snowy hillside and had some lunch. We had a cup of lukewarm noodles, some salami and cheese, and a brownie. Okay, let me say this. I absolutely abhor chocolate. However, it was so cold that I would eat anything to keep my energy going. So, I ate the brownie.

After sitting for about 20 minutes, I began to get extremely cold. My toes started to hurt, terribly. I got up and jumped up and down to try to get some blood flowing to my lowest extremity. The more I jumped the more I hurt. It felt like needles stabbing me. I looked at Mike and told him that I wanted to go back to the car.

As we hiked back down the trail, we had to stop to warm my toes. I don’t think I’ve ever felt such pain in my feet. We took off my boots and used hand warmers to warm help warm my toes. When we finally made it back to the car, I was ready to go home, curl up under an electric blanket and not move for a very long time. This is exactly what I did.

There is nothing terribly exciting about this particular hike. In fact, I almost did not even blog about it. However, I had nothing to do on a Sunday afternoon and thought I would share this bit of nothingness with you.

God bless and Happy New Year!

Angel Rocks in the Snow

The day began as any ordinary day. I woke up at 6:30 a.m. and Mike woke up at 8:00 a.m. We ate our breakfast, got our showers, and went out for the day. This is where the word “ordinary” fades away.

Our plans of snowshoeing up to Angel Rocks were well underway. During our hour drive to the trailhead, Mike and I monitored the temperature. It was going to be a cold one. 15 below zero would not be as bad as the 20 below zero we experienced yesterday. However, nothing, I mean absolutely, nothing could have prepared us for what we were about to encounter.

Mike and I arrived at the Angel Rocks Trailhead with all kinds of energy. We ate a quick sandwich and an oatmeal cookie specially baked by Mike’s nana. Feeling full, we opened the car doors and were blasted by 20 MPH winds. All of a sudden 15 below zero began to feel like 40 below zero.

Looking at Mike, I said, “What do you think?” Mike replied, “Let’s go for it.” I shrugged my shoulders and began to bundle up. After putting on several layers and wrapping my face with a scarf, I secured my snowshoes to my boots and off we went.

The first five minutes of the air temperature feeling like 40 below zero was cold. I mean it was unbearably freezing! I began to think that we should turn around, get back in the car, head straight to Barnes & Noble, order a latte, grab a newspaper, and curl up in front of their massive fireplace. However, I never voiced this thought as it was entirely too cold to speak.

Mike and I trudged forward. Within a few minutes, I began to warm up. Okay, maybe “warm” is a little exaggerated, however, it was much more bearable. After two hours, we made it to the summit. The view was incredible, as were the winds. The wind must have been blowing somewhere between 30 and 40 MPH. This pushed the temperature to almost 50 below zero.

We took shelter against a rock and rested for a while. After a few happy snaps with the camera, we decided to take the trail less traveled. Now let me say this. Most people get to the summit and turn around and go back the way they came. There is, however, another trail that goes around the back side of the rocks and loops back to the trailhead. Well, this loop trail is the one we decided to take. While ordinarily this may not have been a bad idea, the sun was just starting to dip below the horizon.

I began to question myself. “How long will this trail take?” “Has anyone else taken this trail?” “Will the trail be well marked?”

The first question went unanswered. The second question was answered with, “One person.” One person had taken the trail less traveled. There was one set of snowshoe prints. This was not very encouraging to me. The third question was answered with, “At times.” At times, there were trail markers, but not enough to make me happy.

Since there had only been one person before us who had taken this trail, it was not well broken. As we trudged down the mountain, the snow was over knee deep. We were truly breaking the trail.

While trying to scale down the mountain in drifts of snow up to three feet deep, winds of 30 MPH, a “feel-like” temperature of 50 below zero, and a setting sun I fell three times. I twisted my wrist. I hurt my “well-padded” behind. And, I hurt my shoulder. But trust me; I was having the time of my life!

Mike was a trooper. Never once did I hear him complain about the cold or me slowing him down. He just kept right on going. At times, I could hardly keep up with him.

As the skies grew darker and darker, I began to worry that we would not be able to stay on the trail. What if we couldn’t see the other person’s tracks? What if it got so dark we had to spend the night out in the woods? What if we didn’t have enough food to last through the night? What if, what if, what if?????

Amazingly, just as God had planned it, Mike and I emerged from the woods at the last bit of light slowly faded. In fact, I had worked up so much of a sweat that I was not even cold anymore. We found our way to our car, took off our snowshoes and smiled at each other.

What a day! We had so much fun! As we were driving home, we began to plan our next snowshoeing trip for tomorrow. Are we crazy? Maybe, maybe not. Only time will tell!

Angel Rocks

More of Angel Rocks

Aren't they beautiful?

The moon rises over the mountains at 2:00 p.m.

The sun sets to the south at 2:50 p.m.

Mike takes a break on the less windy side of the rock!

Kristie takes a break before climbing over the rocks.

Mike looks great with the mountains in the background.

Kristie gives a frozen smile.

Her face stayed this way for over two hours!

I would love to know what Mike is thinking, wouldn't you?

Kristie enjoys the bright, but brief sunshine.

To look at him, you would never know that Mike is partially frozen.

Kristie is thinking of Barnes and Noble.

The Chena River is partially frozen.

MC loves KC!

XC Skiing

What possesses people to do out of the ordinary things? What possesses people to do insane things? I asked myself these two questions as Mike and I were cross country skiing this afternoon at 20 below zero. The only conclusion that came to mind was this. Mike and I are extremely unordinary and most likely very much out of our minds.

Nevertheless, Mike and I rented cross country (XC) skis with the intention of two things. First, we wanted to try something new. And, second, we wanted to attempt to get some form of exercise. Well, folks, we achieved both!

While wanting to try something new may seem like a simple intention, the art or skill of XC skiing is not simple. Just ask Mike. First let me preface with this. When Mike tries something new, he goes at it with gusto! There’s none of this, “Let’s ease into it and take it slow and easy.” No, sireee! Mike gives it 110% and jumps in with both feet hoping that the water is not too shallow. However, he will tell you that after his sixth fall, it is much harder than it looks.

With me, I tend to take a much more cautious approach. After popping my boots into the bindings, I said to myself, “Okay. Don’t expect much out of yourself. If you fall, you fall. Just one baby stride after another. Don’t go too fast. If you can keep a turtle’s pace, then you’re doing good.”

Well, my little conversation with myself worked just fine for me. I was not the fastest person on the trail, nor did I have the best form. In fact, I think my form was pretty lousy. However, I did not fall. I kept both skis firmly planted on the ground and my rear end off the ground.

While Mike did fall six times, (hey, who’s counting?), he was much faster than me. His form looked good as he took long strides. He was able to get around pretty good.

Overall, XC skiing was a blast and we got a very good workout! Even at 20 below zero, you’re heart rate gets going, your hair freezes and as I found out, even your sweat freezes. We will definitely be doing this sport again. If we decide to try out for the U.S. Olympic XC Team, I will let you know.

Kristie skis though the deep snow.

Even at 2:00 p.m., the moon is already shining.

Kristie skis across Smith Lake, which is obviously frozen solid.

At 2:30 p.m., the sun is dipping below the horizon.

Kristie takes baby steps or strides.

Alaska is one of the most beautiful places in the world!

At 20 below zero, everything freezes, even sweat!

See, I told you it was 20 below zero.

Taken from UAF, where we were skiing,

the Alaska Range is looking great.

The sun filters through the clouds over the Alaska Range.

Two mountain peaks from the Alaska Range.

This bull moose was not too far from our house

as we were heading out to go skiing.