Saturday, January 10, 2009

Baby, It's Cold Outside!!





Why do we live in Fairbanks, Alaska?  I'm not really sure, especially when I've been looking at weather forecasts like this day after day after day...
(from wunderground.com on January 9, 2009)

Fairbanks, Alaska (Airport)

Updated: 2 hr 55 min 16 sec ago

 

-44 °F

Freezing Fog

Dense fog advisory in effect until 9 am akst Saturday in valleys...

Forecast for Middle Tanana Valley

 

Mostly clear. Areas of dense ice fog near Fairbanks. Lows 40 below to 60 below...except around 30 below in the hills. Light winds.

State Lows for today:

Northway    -61 F

Arctic Village        -52 F

McGrath            -50


So, why are we here?  Those of us who choose to stay here are tough.  We love a challenge.  We love remoteness.  We love being 5 minutes from the middle of nowhere.  At -45 F yesterday I saw a guy riding his bike to work.  Really!!  


High noon in Fairbanks, Alaska.

This photo was taken on December 28, 2009 at Ryan Middle School, 

12 p.m.  Temperature -41 F.


Our house, 3:15 p.m. December 30, 2008.  Temperature ??  The thermometer in my car quit working.

Over 2 weeks of intensely cold weather is coming to an end.  A warm chinook is blowing in, and our temperatures should be almost 90 degrees WARMER by the end of the week!  But it is still only January, and we have MONTHS of winter left. After this chinook we will have plenty of cold, brutal weather to come.  Alaska is always extreme!  


The 3 hounds are beside themselves with happiness at their ability to run and play outside again for a few minutes at a time.  Their humans are relieved that there is a slight reprieve from putting 12 booties on giant feet every time the hounds go outside!


Putting booties on a bloodhound 4 times a day takes some finesse and outright willpower!


The following are photos on our driveway and from our back deck:

The following was taken on the Chena River, Fairbanks, Alaska.

All in all, it takes fortitude to survive in Alaska.  We endure it and love it at the same time.  The beauty is simply breathtaking no matter the season.  I guess that is why we are here...it is beautiful.

7 comments:

Bernie said...

Wow--beautiful pics! This southern hound is definitely waiting for summer to come--it's cold in DC too--not as cold as Fairbanks, but cold for me. Mom and Dad have to drag me around the block in the morning!

Bentley said...

The scenery is beautiful, the temperatures...not so beautiful.

It looks like a wonderful, peaceful and quiet area. Does it echo in the woods when all of you hounds howl?

Edie and Gus said...

You would not believe how it echoes up here! Humans are sometimes horrified at the amount of racket we hounds make.
They are sure we can be heard miles away, which is probably true. And guess who is the loudest?? Gus the bloodhound, hands down. Molly the Bluetick comes in 2nd with her nonstop baying, and Dimond the Treeing Walker is in 3rd place. We keep thinking that we should post a video of the 3 hounds when they discover a moose outside the house! A sight to behold and a sound to be heard!

Life With Dogs said...

And we are complaining here about -15.

I feel like a wimp.

Kris10 said...

I've always wanted to go to Alaska. Your pictures are beautiful! I remember trying to get my dog, Abbey, to wear booties many years ago. She would do the high step and shake them off! Keep warm!

Ms. ~K said...

Love your blog.
I am a loyal viewer of Arctic Cam on DNM...
The Arctic Blast has made its way all the way down to Georgia-thanks (chuckle)
Enjoy the Chinook while it lasts...
Kit

Ps...I've been to AK more times than I can remember-we spent 3 wonderful Christmases renting a cabin at A Taste of Alaska Lodge...
I'll be on 4th Ave. (ANC) the first Sat. in March!!! Can't wait!!!

Edie and Gus said...

Woohoo! You will be watching the start of the Iditarod, I take it! Lucky you! Our favorite hotel in Anchorage is the Captain Cook. We are big fans of dog mushing, as we have a young sprint dog racer in the family, although she is not racing this year. Thanks for reading the blog! I will be posting a lot of information about life in Alaska. Glad you enjoy our wonderful state.