A White Thanksgiving

We had a GREAT thanksgiving holiday up in Alaska. The first two days were spent on the road to Fairbanks….7 long hours each way, but totally worth it. Back in Anchorage on Monday we went cross country skiing (my first time!), sledding, dh skiing, hot tubing, reading, cooking, eating and more. The temperature dropped down to -20 degrees in Fairbanks, my lungs hurt and the snot in my nose froze within seconds of being outside, I’ve never experienced such a cold. Anchorage was in the mid-twenties most of the week, nice and balmy. But in all seriousness I was just as warm up there as I am during the winter in Seattle, I just wore a different coat. The Jernstrom Household was also equipped like an REI store so I had warm boots, skis, hats, gloves, coats, and new long underwear and pants. Cherie (Greg’s mom) obviously knew I would refuse to wear tainted and used items

Things of interest:

• Designer jeans exist in Alaska
• Warm boots change everything
• There is always a car in a ditch
• Cross Country skis are really slippery
• Greg and I are still undefeated at Beirut
• Thigh deep concrete powder will leave you sore four days later
• Sleds will always slow down and stop

Squeezed in the back of the ‘Burb for the trip to Fairbanks

The best lookin Eskimo I’ve ever seen

We had a big bonfire at the cabin

Caribou

The cavernous third row seats

When it gets close to 0 degrees the inside windows turns to ice

This owner is probably upset they incorrectly judged the thickness of the ice on the river

-20 and still smiles

Mama Moose in Greg’s Grandparents neighborhood

The wind would whip snow across the highway making it look like a snow field

I took off like I owned that sport….and then I fell

Greg working hard

Me staying warm

Bob’s homemade pumpkin creme brulee

Greg is ready to sled!

Sonja is all smiles

Cherie and Greg

Our course

Thanksgiving Dinner

pumpkin creme brulee

Alex’s Lemon Pie with candied lemons

~ by kmdingman on December 1, 2008.