Winter Sunshine is Finally Here!

Finally the sun is back and we are enjoying the outdoors. The past week has been really warm, in the 20-30s F. We got a lot of snow recently and have been really busy skiing almost daily on the trails at UAF, where Emily works. Since we set the clocks forward, it now gets dark at 8:30pm! So we get to enjoy skiing after work and other outdoor activities. Luke is not working right now, but is evaluating his life and trying to decide what the next career move will be for him.

Last month Luke spent a few days volunteering at the Yukon Quest, the sled dog race from Whitehorse to Fairbanks this year. He volunteered at the finish line this time, down on the Chena River, and checked in the teams as they arrived. We also followed a different race on the internet, while our friend Jeff rode his bike 350 miles over the Alaska Range on the Iditarod Trail Invitational, and won first place in the race to McGrath. What an amazing endurance athlete, we are so proud of him! Now we are following the Iditarod sled dog race on the net, with the Fairbanks favorite Lance Mackey in the lead.

Today we braved the colder temperatures (0-15 F) and went to the Limited North American sled dog races and later the Ice Art championships, which were really great. It is supposed to be cold for the next few days, but should start to warm up again in a week. Spring is just around the corner, but March is an awesome month in Fairbanks and we are trying to get out and enjoy it!

Team coming in to the finish at the Dog Musher's Hall

Teams lining up after racing


Gourmet sled dog food! Freezer burned caribou sausage, green beans, kibble dog food, protein powder, and hot water

Ice art 2009

Emily the ice Eskimo