Adapting to this "Alaskan" lifestyle comes with some bumps and growing pains. Slowly but surely we are learning these lessons. Each day it seems we learn a little bit more or have an AH HA moment as the most popular talk show host Oprah would say. Or as Gru would say in Despicable Me..."Light-BULB!" This is the moments we are trying to compile. These are the things that I Wish we knew sooner and must tell others and Please let me remember for next year moments. Here they as of now...the Winter forget me nots.
1) If you go to Fairbanks, an engine block with a plug is essential. Cars do not like to start in -22 degree weather. Oh, and don't try to install it yourself.
2) Civilians are allowed on base with a Recreation Pass. You still have to stop at the visitors center and sign in with proof of license and registration to get a day pass, but you can use all facilities.
3) Base has a tubing hill and skiing that is just perfect for teaching your kids. It is only open on the weekends Fri-Sun for a complete day package of rentals and ticket for $20!!! Yep, you heard that right! We found out on the last weekend they were open. Heavy Sigh!!!!
4) Sometimes the base visitors center will forget to warn you of a place that has open fire drills going on...ASK so you are not placing yourself AND your family in the middle of a simulated war zone.
5) There is an amazing nordic ski club at Beach Lake here that lets you and your kids all learn together. Sign up ASAP next year.
6) The school has several ski days where they bus your kid to the slopes all day 4 times a year. Sweet!
7) They also have nordic skiing lessons for free for 5th and 6th graders after school in the Spring. Sign up fast...first day to get in on the deal. Or volunteer to help and your kids are in.
8) Stay up on your shoveling. Get a snowblower or you will have mini glaciers as your driveway complete with under glacier rivers and large cravasses.
9) People leave their cars running in the parking lots unattended all winter long...this is not odd, but smart.
10) Pull your kids' boot liners out nightly and insist on socks unless you want them to REEK!
11) By the end of the winter you will find out that 0 degrees is warm and that in 50 degrees the shorts come out of the closet with your flip flops. (True Alaskans)
12) People really do get CRAZY here by the beginning of the Spring...it is not you, it is them. But, it will be you next year.
13) Vitamin D-take it all winter long!!! Some even take it year round.
14) A crock pot saves you a TON of money on your electric and gas bills. Save that energy for heating your home, not your dinner.
15) Keep kitty litter or sand and cramp ons in your car always...so you don't get stuck! Better yet...a complete car emergency kit. Essential here!
16) The highway on any given day in the winter will look like a war zone with cars on the side flipped. Do not be concerned...it is normal. Lesson learned here...drive slow and avoid pick-up trucks, they seem to think they are invinceable.
17) Stock up on firewood...you will use more that you thought you would. We almost exhausted our stash.
18) EVERYONE is resourceful here. Get ready to learn from them. They are amazingly resourceful here. They are also eager to teach you, take advantage of that.
19) BOONDOCKS is THE BEST fishing tackle store ever!!!!
I'm sure that I have forgotten A LOT! But this is what I want to be able to reference next winter before we are buried in 4 feet of snow for 5 months. As many of our neighbors said to us "Well neighbor, I'll see you again in the Spring." is the slogan around here after the first snow. IT IS SO TRUE. It is just too cold and the daylight limits your ability to get out. Not so much in the summer. We will look at the clock and be shocked...it is 10:00 already! And the kids are still outside playing!!!! I need to wear a watch.
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