What a busy weekend. I was going pretty much non-stop on Saturday but then yesterday came down with a horrible attack of allergies. I’m still dealing with it today. Nothing really seems to be helping. L Perhaps it’s the warmer weather that I’m allergic to. It has warmed up to -11. We are supposed to be above 0 for a high by Wednesday. This was apparently the worst cold spell since 2000. Welcome to Alaska, Mike! That’s fine…show me the worst to start and I know I can make it through whatever else.
Saturday started by going to watch the start of the Yukon Quest. It’s a sled dog race from Fairbanks to Whitehorse, the capital of the Yukon Territory, about 1,000 miles away. The race does not receive the attention of the Iditarod but it is a much harsher race. The terrain and conditions are tougher and the check stops are fewer and farther in between.
I know one of the mushers. He wouldn’t remember me, tho. I met him about 13 years ago. He lives in a cabin he built along the Yukon River, down from Dawson City. There are no roads to his place, no electricity or running water (unless you count the creek next to his cabin as running water). He relies solely on the river for transportation. Boat in the summer and his dogs during the winter. Talk about getting down to the basics on what you “need”. He fishes the salmon during the summer to feed his dogs all winter. Anyway, we would pass his place twice a day when I worked on the Yukon Queen (no laughing). I went downriver with my friend Scott, who owned the Pleasure Island Salmon BBQ and we stopped at Cor’s place. He was gracious enough to feed us dinner. It was very cool to finally get to stop and be at his place after passing by for so long. Anyway, he has run the Quest several times and is running it again this yet. He’s 57. I’m nowhere near that and I can’t imagine doing the race.
The temp at the start of the race was about -40. I dressed in an undershirt, sweatshirt, pull over sweatshirt with hood and my Carhartt coveralls. I got the Arctic lined ones and they were worth every penny! Anyway, after I got all bundled up I made my way out to the car, got in and realized the my mobility was severely hampered by being so bundled. I couldn’t reach the seatbelt! Kirk though that was hilarious! I had to open the door and almost get out to reach it. Then, I couldn’t get it into the buckle to save my life! Again, nothing but laughter from Kirk. Truth be told, I’d have been laughing if it was him instead of me. Once I finally got buckled in, I then realized I could barely move my arms. I had to shuffle steer. It reminded me of when I was 140 lbs heavier and that was how I had to drive. Anyway, we made it to the Quest safe and sound. I was more than sufficiently warm, tho I can’t say the same for my camera. It stopped working after a while. I did get pics of Cor and of Lance Mackey, the only musher to win the Iditarod and the Quest in the SAME year. This is no small feat, the races are only a few weeks apart. He’s won the Quest for the past four years.
I wore a head sock (don’t know what to call it) made of fleece. It basically is a hat, face warmer and neck warmer. The only exposed part of your face is your eyes. It did a great job of keeping me warm. But as you can see from the pic, it made me look like Miss Piggy! After awhile my lashes started to freeze up and became little icicles. A top lash and bottom lash on my right eye froze together. If I was out longer I can see how someone’s eyes can freeze shut.
I went to my first Ice Dogs hockey game Saturday night. The games are in the Big Dipper Arena, a much smaller venue than the Nanooks. I’m not sure what league the Ice Dogs are but they are the 16-20ish year olds. More fights than the collegiate level. Surprisingly they allow you to drink at your seats. You can’t at the Nanooks.
After the game we headed out to the Blue Loon for a Mardis Gras party. I ended up leaving my car at Gin’s house that night. It wasn’t plugged in and didn’t want to start when I went to retrieve it Sunday. I plugged it in and left it for several hours and still didn’t want to start. So I bought some jumper cables and it started right up. I knew I was going to buy some at some point, just didn’t want it to be because I had to have them. Anyway, it worked out well and I’m glad it wasn’t a big issue. I still need a battery blanket and oil pan heater installed. Probably won’t need it again this winter but I will next winter. I’d rather get it done and taken care of now.
Ok, yes, I realized I glossed over the Mardis Gras party at the Blue Loon. Suffice it to say it was a lot of fun and I took it easy yesterday for my allergies and other reasons. I’m not as young as I used to be. Lol
Saturday started by going to watch the start of the Yukon Quest. It’s a sled dog race from Fairbanks to Whitehorse, the capital of the Yukon Territory, about 1,000 miles away. The race does not receive the attention of the Iditarod but it is a much harsher race. The terrain and conditions are tougher and the check stops are fewer and farther in between.
I know one of the mushers. He wouldn’t remember me, tho. I met him about 13 years ago. He lives in a cabin he built along the Yukon River, down from Dawson City. There are no roads to his place, no electricity or running water (unless you count the creek next to his cabin as running water). He relies solely on the river for transportation. Boat in the summer and his dogs during the winter. Talk about getting down to the basics on what you “need”. He fishes the salmon during the summer to feed his dogs all winter. Anyway, we would pass his place twice a day when I worked on the Yukon Queen (no laughing). I went downriver with my friend Scott, who owned the Pleasure Island Salmon BBQ and we stopped at Cor’s place. He was gracious enough to feed us dinner. It was very cool to finally get to stop and be at his place after passing by for so long. Anyway, he has run the Quest several times and is running it again this yet. He’s 57. I’m nowhere near that and I can’t imagine doing the race.
The temp at the start of the race was about -40. I dressed in an undershirt, sweatshirt, pull over sweatshirt with hood and my Carhartt coveralls. I got the Arctic lined ones and they were worth every penny! Anyway, after I got all bundled up I made my way out to the car, got in and realized the my mobility was severely hampered by being so bundled. I couldn’t reach the seatbelt! Kirk though that was hilarious! I had to open the door and almost get out to reach it. Then, I couldn’t get it into the buckle to save my life! Again, nothing but laughter from Kirk. Truth be told, I’d have been laughing if it was him instead of me. Once I finally got buckled in, I then realized I could barely move my arms. I had to shuffle steer. It reminded me of when I was 140 lbs heavier and that was how I had to drive. Anyway, we made it to the Quest safe and sound. I was more than sufficiently warm, tho I can’t say the same for my camera. It stopped working after a while. I did get pics of Cor and of Lance Mackey, the only musher to win the Iditarod and the Quest in the SAME year. This is no small feat, the races are only a few weeks apart. He’s won the Quest for the past four years.
I wore a head sock (don’t know what to call it) made of fleece. It basically is a hat, face warmer and neck warmer. The only exposed part of your face is your eyes. It did a great job of keeping me warm. But as you can see from the pic, it made me look like Miss Piggy! After awhile my lashes started to freeze up and became little icicles. A top lash and bottom lash on my right eye froze together. If I was out longer I can see how someone’s eyes can freeze shut.
I went to my first Ice Dogs hockey game Saturday night. The games are in the Big Dipper Arena, a much smaller venue than the Nanooks. I’m not sure what league the Ice Dogs are but they are the 16-20ish year olds. More fights than the collegiate level. Surprisingly they allow you to drink at your seats. You can’t at the Nanooks.
After the game we headed out to the Blue Loon for a Mardis Gras party. I ended up leaving my car at Gin’s house that night. It wasn’t plugged in and didn’t want to start when I went to retrieve it Sunday. I plugged it in and left it for several hours and still didn’t want to start. So I bought some jumper cables and it started right up. I knew I was going to buy some at some point, just didn’t want it to be because I had to have them. Anyway, it worked out well and I’m glad it wasn’t a big issue. I still need a battery blanket and oil pan heater installed. Probably won’t need it again this winter but I will next winter. I’d rather get it done and taken care of now.
Ok, yes, I realized I glossed over the Mardis Gras party at the Blue Loon. Suffice it to say it was a lot of fun and I took it easy yesterday for my allergies and other reasons. I’m not as young as I used to be. Lol
1 comment:
Hey Mike,
What fun to hear all about your adventures and now I now how to go ahold of you and can't wait to see you in your new home. I was up there on the 5th. It was -48 degrees. My personal coldest! We had a few Yukon Quest mushers on the plane but mostly it was full of the WWE wrestlers who performed last weekend and you some how missed. Such a shame. Love, Jan
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