Dear Lower 48 friends,

I have been thinking about you a lot while I do chores in jeans and a sweatshirt – in January – in the interior of Alaska. I understand that many of you are, well, freezing your butts off. Not us. Nope. Did I mention jeans and a sweatshirt? I really wanted to thank you for taking on part of our sub zero temps, wind and snow. It’s fun isn’t it?

Here’s what I look like after doing several hours of chores in 50 below weather.

And here’s what I look like after chores in 20 degree (above) weather. I have time for a cigar and fine brandy with friends.

Ok, so maybe that isn’t quite the right picture but it is a cool memory though! This was taken after we ran 40 dogs and 5 sleds across the East Arm of Great Slave Lake to Yellowknife. What a crazy trip that was! Maybe it could be the subject of the next blog. When we finished the trip we had a cigar and fine brandy courtesy of Andy (second from the right). This picture was taken by James Gill (second from the left).

Anyway, while the break in winter weather has been nice things are getting a bit out of control. Avalanches near Valdez. Practically no snow in Anchorage. Dogsled races like the Tustumena 200 and the Northern Lights 300 being cancelled because the trail either has too little snow or too much water! So enough is enough. Send winter back and we will send whatever this is we have been experiencing express delivery to you!

Much love,

Peg

P.S. A big thank you to blog reader Caroline who sent me a wonderful email and reminded me I needed to write!