Turn Right at the Tree

It's often a joke that in rural areas directions are based on the terrain, not street signs. Things like, "it's the house just past the oak tree that burned in 1963." 

Out here in the bush that is exactly what happens. In Galena, I use this tree as my landmark to remember where to turn to get back to my dorm.

I'll Show You!

The Crossfit WOD (aka Workout of the Day) was to do intervals of sledgehammer strikes and kettlebell swings. I haven't swung a sledgehammer in awhile so before we started I was testing out the different weights of sledgehammers (ranging from 8-15lbs) to decide which one I'd use. I picked up the 15 pounder and wasn't sure I could manage that weight for the length of the workout. I set it down.

Then... some jackass said to me, "you might be more comfortable using a lighter weight".

A First

Today was a first. On my flight to Tanana there was a snow machine in the back of the plane. I can't imagine how they got it in there.

Dog Mushing!

Today was the start of the Yukon Quest Dog Sled race. A bunch of us headed downtown to watch the teams take off. The Quest runs 1000 miles between Fairbanks and Whitehorse, Canada. The trail follows historical Gold Rush and Mail Delivery dog sled routes from the turn of the 20th Century. Each year the start alternates between Fairbanks and Whitehorse. Last year the race finished in Fairbanks so this year it started in the 'banks. The race lasts 10-16 days. Having driven the road between Whitehorse and Fairbanks I can't imagine covering that territory by sled!

Start line, downtown Fairbanks on the Chena River.

Lost

I've said before that Adak is a black hole of time, and this trip was no exception. I typically fly to Adak on Sunday and return on Thursday. Those are the only two days the plane goes to Adak.

How Cold Is It? -- Part Two

Last winter I wrote a post describing how cold it was. Lord, I didn't know nothin'! That was merely a warm-up for this winter!

I used to believe I needed to experience -50 or colder, just once. You know, just so I would know what that felt like. I no longer hold this belief. Not only have I now experienced -50, I've experienced it multiple times. I'm hear to tell you, no one needs to experience that. No one.

Mistaken Identity

As usual, just as I was saying to myself that I didn't have anything to write about (nothing fit for public consumption that is...) I had the oddest conversation last night with a stranger, over text.

It was 12:24am when my phone rang. Caller ID said it was a Tampa, FL number. I don't know anyone in Florida so I didn't answer. Next, my phone beeped telling me I had a new voice mail. Some guy named Alex was looking for Jess. I ignored it. He sounded all of 19. A drunk dial for sure.

Immediately after the voice mail he texted me saying, "it's Alex". The following text conversation ensued: