I woke up with a swollen knee. I suspected this would be the case after all the sinking and twisting on our snowy walk to Willow Lake. What could make a better Monday than relaxing in a recliner with ice and Netflix?
These girls, however, don't like reclining. I heard the bundling up going on and got the camera ready. I love that they can grab Benny, step outside, and make fun memories.
Benny, Arielle & Stacia
They headed to the "sledding hill" and I noted a moose off to the right in the woods.
Stacia's become fairly Alaskan. One moose didn't overly worry her. She knows they stay in their own spot, and usually aren't interested in us.
Arielle is more cautious - she's a mama. I could tell she was calculating distance and escape routes.
But wait - a second moose on their left.
NO ONE would think it wise to be between two moose...at least we don't. This is a bit too much moose to tangle with if they were to get agitated at the humans. This is an iffy time of year. We are told to beware of mama moose. The on moose is the year old baby from last spring. Is she still protective? I don't know. They still hang out together....and one would be unwise to hang out between mama and baby - because she may feel threatened when she is done eating. We give them space.
Their snow fun was cut very short.
I am thinking it's time to plant seeds. Last year was disheartening and there is so MUCH snow....but it IS March. I probably need to plant some seeds.
Ground was too crazy to attempt a tri-pod - Michael took the photo
Saturday was the ceremonial start to the 47th Iditarod in Anchorage. We went to it several times when we were stationed here. It was fun....but this year.... Josiah, Jamin and Nolan met us after church and we drove out to Willow for the "Official" start of the Iditarod. We liked it better....I liked that they were running down the chute, across the frozen lake and off...instead of down 4th street to a park.
We weren't 100% sure where to go, and we got a late start from church. Michael dropped the kids and I off at a small airplane hangar on the lake and went to find a parking spot. Jamin led the way across the drifts and onto the lake. The 3rd time I sunk in snow above my knees and felt lake overflow.....I called it quits. I told them I would walk back to the road and along the road to the start. Alex came with me. The rest headed across the lake. We all met up at the start.
The dogs are so eager to get run. They love it. Josiah got a great video, but I can't figure out how to share it from Facebook.
There are 35 men and 17 women and teams running the race this year. There are several former champions, rookies, 20 year olds...my favorites were Lance Mackey and a 65 year old woman. Quite a bit was made of this woman's parka. It is designed as a kuspuk.
Lance Mackey is a crowd favorite. He's battled cancer and is running this year to have fun, "because I can." Lance won the Yukon Quest and the Iditarod both from 2005-2009 - winning each four years in a row. I got a video of his start, but we didn't get any photos.
The dogs run across Willow Lake.
Crowd watching was almost as fun as race watching...folks had sleds, snow machines, walkers, wheel chairs, ATVs....it was an Alaskan event.
This group made me tear up. The gal in the white parka, looked to be in her 60's, has a harness and long handles tied to a sled. She pulled her mom, in the sled, and her dad walked behind, steadying mom. That's dedication and love.
We loved the excitement and energy in Willow. They mentioned the trail was lined with fans all the way to the first checkpoint. There is talk of us going much earlier next year, possibly finding a place out on the trail....taking the ice fishing tent and heater....a cooler.....
I don't always post photos of friends on the blog. I would never want to infringe on another's privacy.....but if I don't put them here, hey won't get printed with the rest of the blog. LOL Saturday the women of MAG gathered at North Bowl. We had a fantastic time. I hadn't bowled in decades and even *I* had a great time. Jennifer (below right) planned this gathering for us. I appreciated being able to attend without any responsibility. LOL I look forward to the other events she is planning for us.
Britney & Jennifer
Lindsey and I are co-team lead of Gather Women's Ministry
Rebecca loves her snazzy shoes
Kali, Yasinta, Tabby, Brittany, Britney
Brittany humors my wish for an action shot. LOL
Ally and Sandy
Tabby, Rebecca, Brittany
Nora is on the Women's Ministry Team
Stacy, me, Nora
Now that I've finished this post I realize - WE HAVE NO PLANS TO MOVE IN 2 YEARS AND I WON'T NEED TO HAVE NAMES MATCHED WITH FACES FOR MEMORY PURPOSES.
The professionals came over, Robert and Sandy. My man and woman are new to dealing with Chicken Killing pests. I was ready to lead the girls on another adventure when I hard them talking.
The trail cam caught a rodent on it.....they put more bait in the traps. They saw weasel tracks the first day and are sure they'll catch it yet.....
I thought it may be safer to stay in the chicken yard and give them another day to try to catch the fiend.
Here are some shots from our little slice of Alaska - the place we lovingly call Wibbly Wobby Acres. Does it look like spring to you? There ARE signs that spring is "coming." We have 10 hours and 17 minutes of light - isn't that about normal? It is FAR more than we had a month ago.
I'm used to tulips and such by March.....but the signs are here if we adjust our vision and look for them. There is no snow or frost on the pine trees in the foreground, the snow is sliding off our roof...I am hoping to find the flag and pole shortly - it's buried in the snow.
Note there are no tracks in our baby orchard!
This tire swing is still stuck in the snow. It does NOT usually sit on the ground.
Yuuki will go outside again - a sure sign spring is coming.
Our driveway - we are spreading ash in the driveway - an old time ice melting trick.
The RV is no longer barricaded and covered in snow.
The wall of snow at the end of the driveway will soon be melting.
The chickens refused to come outside for months.....they are enjoying the sun.
The snow has slid off the greenhouse - though it will be awhile before its warm enough for seedlings.
Standing at one end of the garden plot and looking to th other - the soil isn't near ready to work.
We have lovely southern exposure. It helps to keep the upstairs heated. The snow is off the roof on this side. To the left is the "chicken coop" and fenced yard.
The previous owners left this stove. It doesn't have fire brick. There was talk of using it to heat a sauna and using it for an outdoor oven....but at this point....it holds s'more sticks in the summer time....and is just an accept piece in the winter. LOL
Sledding hill is melting....
Back stairs
Last year I kept the stairs and deck cleared. This resulted in a lot of shoveling.....this year I figured we could use the front door.....and the snow piled up back here. The fact that the snow has receded, and the door can now open is a sign spring is on it's way. ::snort::
Moose tracks everywhere
The saddest winter sight was our snow covered grill. Icicles show spring is coming - snow had to melt to create icicles.
A chimney in need of cleaning is a sign of spring.
"March First and I'm feeling lucky! I'm pretty sure we can get away today! I'll distract the people."
Harriet is turning in to quite an instigator
"Run, run run!!!"
They made it. For a few brief moments they seemed to revel in their freedom....then they walked back into the chicken yard. 😃
"I ALLOWED myself to be lured back to the Chicken Yard. I could have stayed free, IF I had wanted to."
"In the end, we are better off in the chicken yard. Our people have shoveled the snow and put down shavings for us. It's deep snow and ice outside of the fence. Our Woman scatters kale, lettuce, and corn for us to find. She seems to think we like the game. We humor her. Outside there is no green anywhere! There are also NO oyster shells or grit anywhere to be seen."
"If they could just catch the weasel or ermine this would be Chicken Utopia. As it is, we all have bald tushes. It takes so little to entertain the humans...an egg a day and a bit of clucking. I guess we'll give the people a bit longer to try to solve the problem."
We need to buy about a gal of purple stuff to paint their tushes - the demand over-ran our supply
Chicken update from the Woman - this is not the worst of the birds - but this is what we see. These are missing feathers, but they are intact. They haven't been ripped open and they aren't bleeding. We haven't seen anything new today.
The chicken's tush in the crate is scabbing over. We are looking for a portable fence so she can get outside without the others attacking her wounds.
We still haven't found the culprit on the trail cam or in the traps.
