A Clark Thanksgiving

A Clark Thanksgiving

Nanook of the North

Ben and I were lucky to have family willing and crazy enough to visit us for Thanksgiving!  Charli and Todd left Colorado’s 60-degree temps to come to the frozen north.  Temperatures only once got above zero (2 degrees) during Charli and Todd’s ten days in Interior Alaska.   As it turns out, the cold couldn’t stop these two.  They would go out for two-hour long snowshoes and return without hypothermia.  Now I know where Ben got his enthusiasm for the outdoors from!  Todd was nicknamed Nanook of the North (a great 1922 movie we found out) due to the large, frozen icicles encrusting his bearded face during adventures. 

Thanksgiving dinner at Nellieland

We all survived our trip to Chena Hot Springs “Resort” leaving with many fond memories and a few repressed ones as well.  We have blocked out the moments of freezing arctic agony experienced during our geothermal tour as well as the discomfort (that’s an understatment) of getting in and out of the hot springs at 15 below with 30 mph wind gusts. 

The northern lights did not disappoint, coming out for a beautiful showing while we were in Fairbanks.  Thanksgiving also did not disappoint.  A delicious meal and great company was shared with Nellie, Pete, Otter (and poor Maddie).   Someone may have even mentioned that this Thanksgiving was their favorite Thanksgiving.

 Arctic Hare tracks 

It seemed the only disappointment was the lack of actual “seen mooses” during their stay.   Moose tracks meandered everywhere on the trails and around our property, but the large ghost-like herbivores remained elusive.  The surprise came when we found tracks that walked directly up to our outhouse, in which the moose must have stuck her gigantic head inside, and then opted out of entering.  We just hope in the future that the moose isn’t that inquisitive when the outhouse is occupied.

Visiting the Museum of the North

Besides Charli and Todd staying at the cabin, for at least a few nights, it seemed that the curious “outhouse moose” was also sleeping in our front yard under our landlord’s RV topper.  We noted tracks going underneath the camper to a snow-free section of land, and then tracks going out the other side.  For a few nights in a row over Thanksgiving, we noted new tracks on a daily basis. 

Charli, also now known as Nyla (Nanook’s wife) was tough enough to use the outhouse rather than our functioning toilet (we got our toilet working right before they arrived, and it stopped working promptly after they left!). Charli became enthralled in research on an outhouse problem that we were experiencing at the time.  Now, if you decide to read on about our outhouse woes, you MUST promise not to make fun of us about this unfortunate circumstance or use it as blackmail against us in the future.  (NOTE: if you are still reading this, then you solemnly swear to never mock, laugh, jest, or at anytime bring up this situation in front of other people while we are present.)  Anyway, because we have been using the outhouse now for many months, and temperatures have been well below freezing for many months, a tall tower of frozen poop (commonly known as a poopsicle by outhouse owners of the north) had accumulated in the outhouse, making progress towards its escape to the top.  While Ben spoke of nightmares of the poopsicle grabbing him while he was on the toilet and pulling him down, Charli decided to aid her son, coming to his rescue through the saving tool of her omnipotent iphone.  She compiled a list of appropriate tools and methods for the proper way to get rid of the dreaded poopsicle.  Although she was an enthusiastic researcher, she unfortunately did not oblige to putting her knowledge into action.  While most guests probably left their Thanksgiving dinner with plates full of leftover turkey, pies, or stuffing, we left Nellie and Pete’s with a gift of rebar, the perfect tool to be used in our war against the poopsicle.  We waited until after our guests left to do the dirty deed. 

Cutting down our Christmas tree- VICTORIOUS! 

All in all, Charli and Todd’s trip reminded Ben and me how much we have to be thankful for in our life.  In addition to having the best husband a girl could hope for, I have gained amazing parents-in-law as well! 

And now, a pen switch to Ben!

Hiking in Fairbanks

Having visitors to our cabin in Delta Junction was a treat, and definitely worth being thankful for. My parents were here for 10 days and the time seemed to fly-by with playing cards, cooking dinners, beating Emily at Ticket to Ride, hiking in 15 below weather, being awoken at Chena Hot Springs to get outside and see the Northern Lights, averaging two visits to Fred Meyer’s a day, and basically just seeing how adventurous my parents still are. And as my parents learned to appreciate the beginning of winter in the Interior, Emily and I were able to reflect on how we are so thankful for having two loving families. We were fortunate to have time with my parents and are thankful for all that we have and, most of all, for the people we share our lives with. And if anyone wishes to come and visit we promise the poopsicle will not be one of your ‘dirty jobs’.   

Mom and Dad!

Ben, attacking the Poopsicle...we are proud to say it no longer stands..... VICTORIOUS again!