I’ve said before that winter was setting in — well, now I’d say the real winter has set in.  I spent a lovely week back in Portland, during which time the ice apocalypse hit Fairbanks, resulting in three days off from school for B (lots of movie time!). Thankfully our house kept power, while the power grid around other parts of town fell apart and a state of disaster was declared.  In any case, when I returned to town the cold and the wealth of snow that fell remained. The ice even thicker on the roadways.

our street covered in snow and ice (the great part is that it fills all the pot holes!)

And then it got really cold. Negative 20s and 30s. Thanks to frozen extremities I quickly learned that the winter gloves I’d been wearing up until now were — not appropriate for negative 20s and 30s. (OUCH!)  We extracted the remainder of our winter gear to be better covered, and I spent some time doctoring covers for the doorways and windows that radiated cold through their small gaps.  Despite being built for this weather, the ice and snow creep through every possible openings in the house & covered windows grow thick layers of ice and snow against the cold of the outdoors.

sunset on the street

A bit of relief came when one day it was -30 and the next it was +10!  It was exciting. & Then I laughed at how excited I was to see 10 degrees.  (also, amazing to have a 40 degree temp increase in one day!)   So this weekend B went on his inaugural cross country skiing outing nearby (while I opted for the elliptical), next weekend we’re hoping to venture back out to the state park lake to use our snow shoes.

These are some pictures B took from the UAF ski trails.

Smith Lake

We also enjoyed some Honky Tonk Musical theater this weekend in Fairbanks…proving that indoor activities around town are also a LOT of fun!