Cold Spell
Well, the cold spell lasted a little longer than we thought. The temperature got down to around -50 a couple of times. I’m sure our electric bill will be a little higher due to having to keep the truck plugged in all night for several nights. I changed the oil before it got really cold and switched to synthetic oil and this seems to have helped. A couple of days ago it started warming up and it got above zero today. I used the opportunity to clean out the chimney and take the ashes out of the wood stove.
Veterinary emergency
Snowball had to make a trip into town. She came down with an infection that had to be treated by a veterinarian so I flew into town with her. She really doesn’t like to fly but there was no way to treat her effectively here. After we saw the vet and got her medicine I had to figure out a place for us to stay before we flew back to Galena. Lucky for us I was able to get us into a TLF (Temporary Lodging) on Eielson Air Force Base. It was a really nice place and had a heated garage we could keep the truck in. Good thing too, because it got down around -30 while we were there. She is doing fine now but I still have to call and see if it is really necessary to bring her back for a follow up visit.
Other than the dog making a trip into town not much else has been happening. When it gets as cold as it has been, we don’t really do much outside.
Iditarod Update
We did find out that the Iditarod will be coming through Galena again this year. Normally this year they would be taking the southern route but trail conditions on parts of the southern trail are dangerous for dogs and mushers so they opted for a start in Fairbanks. The race will go from Fairbanks to Nenana, then on to Tanana. It follows the Yukon River to Ruby and Galena. After reaching Galena they will turn north and go to Huslia and then back down to Koyukuk. They leave Koyukuk and go to Nulato where they follow the normal trail to Nome.
Iron Dog
The Iron Dog snowmachine race is the next event for Galena. It comes through Galena later this month. I will try and get some pictures of the racers as they come through town.