LL.L

A 40 Below Weekend

                We have become aware of the reliability to not rely on the weather report. The week before last weekend it was calling for decent temperatures for the upcoming week. We were excited about the continuation of decent temperatures, which now is anywhere around zero. As the weekend approached, it was evident that the weather report had gotten it wrong, again. The temperatures began dipping near 20 below and kept soaring down. By Saturday morning we woke up to a L.L. on our temperature gauge. This is not the acronym that ends in Bean, but rather, this is our temperature gauge indicating it is too cold to register the temperature. This depth of cold could be anywhere below 40 below. With the noted deprivation of degrees, we decided to stay indoors for the weekend.

Thermometer display showing LL.L

                The necessity to remain indoors could not have come at a better time for us. Emily had just received an iPad from the library to work on ‘figuring-out’ how to properly use it. What this meant for us was a weekend of cabin bliss and plenty of Harbor Master and Angry Birds.

                We frequently checked the temperature gauge, which at times would come back to life and indicate 39.8 or even 37.3, but always preceded with a -. Eventually the sun warmed up the air enough to allow Emily to go to work, which is called off at -40.

                When we drive in this cold of weather the tires seem to freeze and create almost a box-shape. This causes for slight bumps along the drive, hard to notice but still evident.

                On Sunday, it was the same routine.  We awoke to see LL.L. We did venture out again to go to the post gym to work out, and to avoid any finger cramping from the incisive Harbor Master playing. It was hard to get either vehicle running and after hours of being plugged in, both refused to start in such extreme cold. I had to plug the truck’s battery into a charger to help. Eventually the truck started, but ‘Birch,’ our faithful Subaru, stayed stubborn and was unable to be started. Once the truck was started, we were afraid to turn it off again, but after a considerable warm-up we felt comfortable to venture out and turn off the car if need be.       

                Our toilet and shower continued to work, thankfully, which makes for a weekend in the cabin a much more pleasant few days. Even with such a cold couple of days, there remains a frosty beauty up in the frozen interior. The sun shines for a bit longer, the sky radiates in blue, the sunrises and sunsets are spectacular and easily viewed indoors, the snow covers the non-wind blasted terrain, and the moon shines at night almost as bright as the sun during the day (My drive to school the next day I had to put the sun visor down to block out the moon’s rays). It is a different world than Emily and I have ever experienced or could have imagined. And with each passing day we learn something new about how to live in the interior of Alaska and about ourselves, especially how good our spouses are at playing addictive iPad games

                And to top off the 40 below weekend, on my way to work on Monday I got a call that school was canceled due to cold weather!!!  We decided to take advantage of the LL. L cold and test out whether hot water would freeze instantaneously outside.  We know Aunt Patty, especially, has been waiting patiently for this trial.

Here's the link to the quick video of our attempt: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYKsYh9CkeQ
 It is inconclusive as to whether or not the water actually froze before touching the ground, but it definitely steamed like crazy and fell kind of "sheet like."  Enjoy the cold display.  

Vacations are Grand

Vacations are Grand

Horse drawn Sleigh Ride on Mt. Hood 

Chiara having a blast on the sleigh ride

Over winter break, Ben and I were able to escape the frozen taiga to the balmy lower 48 to see our families.  The moment we stepped out of the plane in Portland, we immediately rejoiced at feeling 40 ABOVE zero while being outside. I could feel my skin delightedly drinking up the moisture in the air.  It was raining and I do believe we were the only people getting off that plane incredibly excited about that fact.  We hadn’t seen a drop of rain for over 3 months, which for me, was the longest I have ever gone in my whole life.  Between growing up in Oregon and then moving to the rainforest of Southeast Alaska, rain was a constant.  We must admit, we didn’t miss the rain terribly for the first few months, but as the rain touched our skin in Portland, it felt very much like being welcomed home. 

The cruel irony of our trip to Oregon and Colorado was that while we were gone, Delta Junction experienced a heat wave.  We left with temperatures stubbornly hovering at 30 and 40 below zero.  The day after our departure, though, the warm Southern winds blew into Delta bringing above zero temperatures for the first time in a month.  We had to laugh while we were in Colorado experiencing colder weather than the current temperatures in Delta.  We found it oddly similar to trips taken out of Sitka where suddenly the rainy skies would depart and sunshine would blast the land for the duration of our time away.  Meanwhile, we were always getting rained on somewhere else in the country.  Mother Nature must be a jokester. 

Ben and I had a wonderful time with the Clark and Buck clans.  We are both so incredibly fortunate to have such amazing, loving families.  Between games, feasts, and winter outings, many memories were created that will last us until the next family get-together! Even though it didn’t seem possible, our nephews and nieces are getting cuter and more wonderful with age!  Spending time with them was definitely a highlight of the trip.  We were also able to catch up with my aunts, uncles, cousins, and cousin-in-laws as my Aunt Patty and Uncle John graciously hosted the ever growing family!  In addition to family, we were also fortunate to squeeze in time to see a few friends while down South.  Sarah, Jill, Emily, Aaron, Matt (surprise visit!), Zach, and Jess reminded us that time with good friends always goes too quickly.  We miss everyone already!

 

Hike with my parents in the Columbia Gorge



Thankfully, the warmer temperatures in Delta didn’t leave the instant we returned like we half expected.  Rather the winds continued to whip through town, making the ambient temperature much more bearable.  Unfortunately the wind chill made the weather still quite impossible to be outside in, but at least we didn’t have to worry about our cars starting. 



Lucy on Mt. Hood



Today, it is a balmy 0 degrees and dropping.  I am taking advantage of the mild weather to fill our water tank because it is supposed to plummet back down to 20 or 30 below tomorrow and continue the cold streak for at east the near future.  We are looking forward to my parents visiting in a month.  We commend them for planning a trip during the coldest month of the year!  Also, Happy Birthday to my sister, Megan!   I hope Mary and Lucy are busy making a beautiful troll birthday cake for you!

It was great to be home for Christmas!


P.S. More pictures coming soon.....