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.