It is cold, cold, cold!

Laura Jean, Dave and Hannah were here Christmas week. Many travel stories to tell about trying to get out of Portland and Seattle snow storms, but they were persistent and made it in plenty of time for much fun...and all luggage eventually showed up, too.

There was down-hill skiing, Christmas light watching, crab leg feast, trip to Seward, sledding, Christmas Eve Coup (they trashed my plans to chase Northern Lights, fixed and cleaned up dinner, and we watched It's a Wonderful Life while imbibing), Big Fat Greek Christmas, Snowzilla, Talkeetna overnight, play--Home for the Hostilities, movies--The Tale of Despereaux, Four Christmases, Marley & Me, and dog sledding with a real Iditarod competitor (on my short list of most fun ever adventures). Check out pictures and Hannah's account.

And they thought it was cold. But it was like they took the last bit of "warmth" with them when they left. On the way to work this week I just wanted KSKA (my NPR station) to say it was warmer than -15. Didn't happen. Last weekend I went chasing Northern Lights. At mile 97 (going north of Anchorage) it was -31. I turned around because my "pit stop" Chevron at mile 211 was closed...because of the cold!

When it is this cold outside:

-any exposed skin (better be minimal) tingle/hurts and then goes numb

-Grace prances

-nose hairs freeze...and you feel them

-you don't forget to plug in (block heater) for your truck

-ice crystals dance in the air

-snow squeaks as much as it crunches

Looking for "balmy" temps in the 20s next week. Happy New Year!