Work done, back to the Chatanika!!

Finally wrapped up work in town and tomorrow morning I'm heading up to Murphy Dome to meet up with Doug to get a ride on the snowmachine back to the river. I would just hike in but after spending so much time in town I have some much stuff that I'd have to pull at least 2 sleds to get all of it to the river.

I forgot to take a picture of my tent at Billie's before I took I down, it looked more like an igloo than a tent, being set up in one place for so long. And with that freezing rain we had it took quite an effort to break it out of the ice. Luckily we didn't get the 40 to 50 below temps they predicted while I was staying at Billie's. I think the coldest it got to be was 30 to 35 below. With all of the snow I had piled on the tent to help insulate those temps were very tolerable.

Needless to say I am very excited to get back to the lake cabin. Right now it sounds like I'll spend the rest of December at the cabin. In early January Doug will leave for South East Asia and I will move up to his cabin on the hill to care take while he's gone. I believe he will be gone for about 2 months so I'm sure I'll have plenty of material for the blog!

Sleeping in a bed is going to feel pretty good and I am looking forward to having Sammy hog the whole bed! Sammy has very short hair so she doesn't do too well in the cold temps. That being the case, while I was in town I picked up a very expensive jacket for her so when I spend time outside she can be right there with me.

Before I had left the river I had cut and split a good amount of wood but with this colder weather I'm sure it will go fast. While staying at the lake cabin I'm sure I'll spend a fair amount of time cutting more wood and with that ice storm we had, gathering wood will require not only a chainsaw, but a sledge hammer as well.

I'm also looking forward to having some visitors at the river this winter. Talking to some people here in town I know they are pretty excited to get out to the river and see the work Doug and I did this summer. I think Ralf will be out on the Chatanika as well in January to go moose hunting. Even though I'll be taking care of Doug's place by myself it doesn't sound like I'll be alone very often.

Look for more posts from the river soon...