Real Men Wear Bunnyboots by BudO_Fairbanks
"avoiding cabin fever, and other afflictions of the far north"
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HAPPY CHINOOK!
There are aspects of this we just accept;
One of those being that it is going to be well below freezing for the duration, with
few exceptions (getting to that).
If you live in the frozen north for a few winters or more, the convenience of a walk-in
(or more appropriately, walk out) deep-freeze for six months of the year becomes just
too convenient not to take advantage of.
We are all guilty of cramming more food into the icebox than it is designed for.
The next logical move is to just put it outside....right?
It IS freezing out there, after all, and usually much colder than that that box
on top of the refrigerator.
If you're fortunate enough to own a separate freezer, then you have room for the
"overflow" - at least for a few years- more if you clean it out regularly, and discard those forgotten leftovers in the bottom-
you know what I'm talking about; the leftover turkey from last Thanksgiving
(and the one before), the fruitcake from aunt Alice that you couldn't bring yourself
to throw away (after all, she is 87- it can't be easy for her to make fruitcake at that age),
that batch of stew that no-one liked (but you couldn't bear to throw it out, just the same),
and those lovely salmon patties that the neighbors brought over (after trying one, you
realized why they were giving them away).
If you are like the rest of us, they are all still there.
So- there's that extra Thanksgiving turkey you bought this year (you can't buy turkey at 30
cents a pound everyday), And those BuyOne, GetOneFree chuck roasts that no sane person
with 10 dollars in their pocket could pass up-
These just aren't going to fit in that over-crowded freezer....no matter how much re-arranging you do.
The answer is EASY!
Just put it out on the porch- it's frozen all the time there!
Better yet, put it out there in a cardboard box- you wouldn't want the pesky neighbor dog (or a fox, coyote, or wolf) enjoying your good deals before you do....
even better- use the camp cooler (summer's a long time away- that meat will be long gone by then).
If you don't have a cooler, the next best thing is to put it in the trunk of the car.
Brilliant!
We Alaskans are innovative folks, indeed.
There's one flaw in this beautiful system, and no matter if you are a seasoned sourdough,
or a green tenderfoot, you are susceptible- it is revered and respected by all;
The CHINOOK -
that warm, tropical wind, that most likely originated near Hawaii, or some other tropical
paradise in the in the south Pacific, while we Alaskans are were freezing in the dark;
the warm wind that blows northward, over the majestic Alaska range, that can raise the air temperature 80 degrees overnight;
A 40 below zero night can give way to a 40 above zero day in 4 hours or less
(or vice-a-versa).
First, there is a feeling of great relief; here is a temporary interlude from winters frozen grip.
Then comes the anxiety that stems from the prospect of driving on roads that will be like ice rinks, as the tropical moisture settles on roads that are still many degrees below freezing- it's not a good thing...believe me.
Finally, after the giddiness of above freezing temps wears off, and anxiously you have driven home, and arrived safe and sound, the relief is there again....life is good.
Then- a gnawing uneasiness sets in; something is not right....just...can't....quite...
...put your finger on the problem.
From a sound sleep you awaken with a start- OH CRAP- THE TURKEY!
In a frenzy, you rush out the door into the snow in your jammys, frantic to see if your frozen booty is still solid- it is NOT!
The chinook has had it's way with your frozen food, and all is thawed, like the day BEFORE
it was frozen.
There's only one thing to do- COOK-IT-ALL.
The day begins early- like any holiday.
Must call the neighbors-
call the family,
hell, call the people from work!
There's meat to be cooked (maybe some veggies, too!).
This is the northern festival of Chinook.
It is a holiday feast very familiar to us in the far north.
I know that most of us in the northern climates have participated in this feast at one time or
another, although many will deny it. It's nothing to be ashamed of- just another part of life in the north. It's part of our survival.
I think when nature gives us a reason to get together with family and friends to eat and drink, it is the Best reason to celebrate. Why fight it?
Life is short- one needs to find those silver linings where they present themselves.
Enjoy the Chinook while it lasts-
tomorrow it may be 50 below again.
HAPPY CHINOOK!
SUMMER'S COMIN' TO FAIRBANKS, AGAIN!
Ahhhhhh-
I breath a sigh of relief. I've made it through another Fairbanks winter.
I know... there's still snow on the ground, and it's still dropping below zero most nights, but really, winter is gone for another year.
Twelve hours of sunshine is slowly working it's magic on winter's snow-
March is here in all it's sun-filled glory!
I'm awe-struck once again. What a magnificent place I live!
The hillsides are showing the subtle colors of new buds on the trees- reds and olive greens, and if you stop, and REALLY smell the air, you can smell them all at once.
Run-off water is forming glaciered pools at the base of the hills, threatening to overflow any road that dares to cross it's path.
The plows have moved the the packed snow off the shoulders of the roads, so the melting snow doesn't flow across the roads to create ice at night.
The snowbanks in town are turning black, as March's sun melts them away, leaving a winters worth of grime and car exhaust to show on their exposed surface.
These are all sure signs.
The critters know; the squirrels are noisily going about their spring business again, chittering incessantly at their neighbors- chasing each other back to their "own property".
The ravens bicker amongst themselves, as they clean up another winters worth of discarded food (as wells all the other critters that were not fortunate enough to survive winter's grip- spring would be ugly indeed without the feathered custodians).
I'm already behind; The seeds I'm planning on planting are already two weeks late- if I get them planted now, there's another flat's worth waiting behind them. The growing season won't wait for me- I must start tomorrow, or else!
I should already be cleaning the fly rods, and checking to make sure all the fishing gear is in top shape. It will be too late in June- time to go fishing, then.
There are three months of summer here, and one month of autumn- one doesn't want to spend quality fishing time looking for waders, or repairing the boat, ATV, etc.
And the garden- wait too long to plant tomatoes, and you'll have nothing but fried green tomatoes, or tomato pickles when September comes- whew- not a moment to waste now.
My sighs of relief have turned into sighs of despair. Overnight the oh-so-slow plight of winter has turned into spring's race to get ready for summer. How did it catch me off guard again? You'd think after 49 years I'd have this all down to a science, but here I am, scrambling to catch up once again!
Well, enough time plunking away on my keyboard- no time to waste- gotta get going-SUMMER'S COMIN' TO FAIRBANKS, AGAIN!
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April 12, 2012
Bud, don't forget a sure sign of spring downtown.
Oly Flowers!! (DISCARDED BEER CANS) THEY APPEAR IN MELTING PARKING LOT SNOWBANKS EVERY YEAR.
regards, bigalak
Oly Flowers!! (DISCARDED BEER CANS) THEY APPEAR IN MELTING PARKING LOT SNOWBANKS EVERY YEAR.
regards, bigalak
ON ROADS AND RINKS (a crash course on winter driving)
We Alaskans would like there to be a mandatory winter driving course for all drivers new to Alaska. An hour or so would do, just to give those unfamiliar with icy roads a heads-up to keep us all a little safer. A crash course, so to speak.
With all the snow falling on the rest of the country, I thought this would be a good time to share what I have learned over the years about driving on slick roads (mind you, most of it was by trial and error- a good share of which is methods to get out of the ditch!).
To those of you who could have used this information last week, or last month- I apologize.
Here is Bud O's crash course on winter driving:
The first thing to know about driving on snowy, icey roads is; easy does it. Don't try to do anything fast- it just doesn't work on ice. When starting out, gently press on the gas pedal- if your tires start to spin, resist the urge to push down harder, and let off a little- you'll feel it when they start to get a firm grip again. do this every time you feel your tires spinning.
If you are starting from a stop in a parking lot, or at a traffic light, and your tires just spin, try to start very slowly- if you're driving a standard, try starting out in second gear, in an automatic, pull the parking brake a couple of clicks- don't forget to release it when you get moving- the trick is to keep the tires from spinning. Sometimes going from forward to reverse and back again will "rock" you out of the spot (don't do this one at a traffic light). This little trick works when you're stuck in snow, too.
Braking is similar. When you have to brake, do it gently, and when you start to slide, let off, then apply again, till you start to slide, then repeat. This is referred to as pumping the brakes, and is the action mimicked by anti-lock brakes (I always thought a human could do it better).
When turning on ice, avoid using your brakes at all- just let off the gas- a little planning in advance will ensure you're not going too fast to navigate that corner in the first place. If you brake while turning a corner on icey roads, your front tires will likely lock up and slide in a direction straight ahead, and not in the direction which you're hoping to go- you have become a sled, and are not in a car anymore!
If this happens (it will), try not to panic about that other car you're heading for, and take you foot off the brake, and keep your wheels turned in the direction you want to go- as soon as your front tires stop sliding, you will turn again. If there is any loose snow on the road, or gravel- try to get a front tire in it. You will get more traction and control than you will on glare ice. In fact, it is safer to drive as much as you can on the snowier part, but not so close to the ditch that the soft snow pulls you in. I know this is confusing, but a little practice will tell you the best spot to be in.
If the rear of your vehicle starts to slide sideways while going around a corner (that's right, let off the gas) keep steering in the direction you want to go (this is referred to as steering into the slide).
Most of us that have to drive on slick roads 6 months out of the year have some tricks up our sleeves; Put something heavy in your trunk or pickup bed (all those soda or beer cans in the truck bed don't count). It needs to be 75 or 100 pounds to really help you get that extra traction. Fasten it down in a pickup bed- a sudden stop will turn that loose weight into a lethal projectile (this blows the whole idea of driving safely!). A couple of sandbags, or bags of kitty litter will work well for extra weight, and can be poured in front of, or behind spinning tires to get you out of that slick spot (see, now we're thinking!).
Another good item to carry (besides boots, coats, hats, and gloves for everyone in the vehicle) is a square edged shovel- not one of those wimpy snowshovels, but an old fashioned coal shovel, or the like. Many's the time, I've been able to get out of a bad situation by just removing a little snow from in front of my tires to just drive right out (or back out)- really- I can't tell you how many times.
A set of good winter radials, studded or not, can make the difference between white-knuckle driving, and an easy trip. As a teen I drove for years buying any cheap used tires I could get my hands on, and was amazed the first time I bought a good set of all weather radials- I never realized it could be so easy driving on ice!
When starting out on slick roads, it's a good idea to "test" the brakes when there's no traffic around- don't try this doing 60! just drive along at 25 or so, and press on the brakes- it will give you a little insight on how slick it really is. Don't do this on a hill, and don't forget that conditions can change in different locations.
If you aren't familiar with slick roads at all, find an empty lot, and do some good, old fashioned teenage brodies- you know, donuts- try the gas- try the brakes- get a feel for it.
By the way, if you get a ticket, this wasn't my idea- I in no way endorse this juvenile behavior. this blog is for entertainment purposes only.
If you DO end up in the ditch (you will, sooner or later), don't panic. Turn on your emergency flashers, get out, and assess your situation before you floor it and dig in deeper. Set out flares if you have them. Try rocking back and forth, and if you don't have that shovel, try kicking snow out of the way. Keep your front tires facing straight ahead until you get some momentum going. If you are hopelessly stuck, and far from help, stay in the vehicle- use that wonderful cell phone for something really important, for once. I've never been stuck in a ditch in the snow, where someone didn't come along eventually, and at the very least, offer to call for help. Of course, I do live in Alaska, where we all usually still look out for one another. Use your head- if you are alone (and not to be sexist, but 'specially if you are a woman), ask them to call for help- from behind your closed window. Things ain't what they used to be. If you are there for awhile, this is where the coats and hats come in.
The main thing to remember is; drive slower if it's slick. If that impatient guy behind you won't back off, pull over and let him pass- you'll probably be lending your shovel to him further down the road (if you are feeling generous). If you are late to work, remind your boss that you made it in one piece, and will live to work for him/her another day.
I know this seemed pretty serious, but it's a serious topic. If this can help one person find their way safely through the snow, it will be worth the space I have used, and the sleep I have lost writing it (yea, right- like I'd be sleeping now).
I'll try to make my next entry about a lighter subject- any suggestions?
Until then, easy on those brakes, everyone-
Bud
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August 01, 2010
BudO
If it wasn’t summer, you would have time to do a mosquito entry in your blog. That might be a good topic for when things slow down.
If it wasn’t summer, you would have time to do a mosquito entry in your blog. That might be a good topic for when things slow down.
REAL MEN WEAR BUNNYBOOTS (real women do, too!).
When the temperature drops to 39 below, warm feet seem much more important than how they look. Vanity ends at 25 below- at least, that's what I say. I see exceptions- women in short skirts, and stylish high heels- teeth chattering, and legs turning blue, and men in silk shirts and rayon slacks- even shorts on rare occaisons.
OK, I admit it; I have been guilty of this more than once, myself (no skirts or heels, though-), when I was young and invincible.
I wear longhorns now that I'm older and wiser, from September to April, but when I was a teen, longjohns and bunnyboots were NOT cool.
I would like to say that I always heeded my fathers advice, and carried boots and a parka with me, but it just ain't so.
On my 18th birthday two friends each thought the other was giving me a ride home from the teen disco (yes, I said disco)- at least that's the story as told to me. I ended up walking for home in tennis shoes and leather jacket at 20 below- yes, young and stupid go together like yin and yang!
My salvation came in the form of two little old ladies in a pickup truck, who stopped to pick me up (they were very sweet, and even asked if I wanted to go out with them for a while). I'm sure I'm lucky to still have all my toes- Thank you, ladies, wherever you are!
Frostbite is no joke, and has claimed many fingers and toes in in minus zero temps. 20 minutes at 35-40 below in street shoes is long enough to frostbite toes and cause painful blisters or worse.
In grade school, an army doctor from Ft. Wainwright came to our school assembly and showed a slide show of people with severe frostbite. This included many swollen and blackened feet, toes, and fingers. There was also a young girl with huge blisters on her thighs from going down a slide in a dress at 30 below. We were taught how frozen tissue became dead tissue, and could develop gangrene. For the final, scary lesson, we were shown pics of an unfortunate fellow having his badly frostbitten feet amputated. If this didn't put the fear of winter in us, nothin' would! I don't think they show these at grammar schools anymore.
Now that I'm older and wiser- I wear bunnyboots from the first snow, till it's all gone. Yes, I am teased about this by some, when the weather warms up to 30 above- but my feet are always warm and dry- sometimes too warm, but I'll take that over cold feet anyday.
For those that don't know, bunnyboots are a large, usually white rubber boot, with layers of felt inside, separated by more thin layers of rubber. They were initially developed as a cold weather boot for the military, and quickly caught on in the civilian world.
They are not glamorous, and look kind of like big, white Mickey Mouse feet. They weigh about 3 pounds apiece, and after walking in them awhile, you can feel it in the ol' thighs. The one thing they have going for them is: your feet don't get cold- 30 below, 40 below, 50, even 60 below. As long as they are in good shape, you can step in freezing water- fill em' up, and your feet stay warm.
The only drawback I ever found is, they take a long time to warm up if they are off your feet in the cold.
When I was young, and thought it was a great adventure to camp out when the thermometer dropped below the zero mark, my comrade and I quickly learned to put the boots in the bottom of the sleeping bag while we slept, so they would start out warm in the morning.
So, if you live in Alaska, or even are visiting- don't forget- vanity is not your friend in the cold, but bunnyboots always will be.
Note: after a few years of cold feet, and my suggestions, even my wife wears bunnyboots when the really cold weather hits. She does wear beautiful colored laces in them, just to dress them up a bit....hmmm, now that I think about it, maybe I'm all wrong about the whole vanity thing......
This concludes the ramblings of the first entry of my new blog. I hope you gained something from it- information or entertainment- take from it what you may.
I'll post more as time permits. Feel free to comment or critique- don't worry, I have thick skin (I'll prob'ly ignore it, anyway).
see you on the Arctic Cam -
Bud
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March 05, 2010
Sorry about the blank comment. I'm just learning the system. I just wrote about the aurora and now want some bunny boots for this and a whale watch in Vancouver. Thank you for the info. My feet about froze sitting up all night in 2000.
Keep posting, please!
Kit in Georgia