Spit out!

     Finally, we have been spit out the other end of one heck of a cold snap.  About as close to record breaking as you really want to get.  "On the cool side" as the locals might say.  Luckily, during the worst of it, our household belongings arrived and we could make excuses of unpacking to avoid venturing out too often.  We did manage to attend several school functions including an all school skating party at the Westchester Lagoon near downtown.

     We got a great opportunity to get to know the grade 3/4 parents a bit better with the class retreat in Birchwood (north of Anchorage).  Some good socializing followed by a labyrinth walk follow by s'mores around the fire at 18 below!  These here are some hearty folks!

     There are animals frequenting the neighborhood.

     Actually, as I came downstairs to write tonight, I noticed this moose in the back yard!  Resident moose populations are way up due to such heavy snowfall this year.  With so many animals in town, it can become rather dangerous, so we are all on guard when skiing, walking trails, or just putting mail in the box!

     And Bohemian Waxwings.  These buggers roam in flocks and will descend on your trees to strip them clean in seconds flat!  Fun to watch!

     

     And, of course, with temperatures rising back into the teens, we are out and about.  Yesterday we had to break in the Mad River Rocket and so drove to Centennial Park.  This is a small hill we used to ski as kids.  A rope tow would pull us to the top and we would fly down hitting jump after jump.  the rope tow is now disabled, but the sledding is top notch!

     So, with warm fingers and toes, we are now looking forward to a great number of outside adventures.  The Northern Lights beckon us and we may have to drive North for a viewing.  A fresh load of firewood is going to the cabin in Willow this weekend.  Jess, Harriet, Aunt Shelly, and cousin Hannah are participating in an all women's ski race this Sunday!  And there's lots of winter left!  Bring it on!