The Breakup (updated-winner's info at this post's end )

(by Robin--though this should be obvious to anyone who knows her)

As I have already mentioned in an earlier post, the breakup is just another name for spring here in Fairbanks. It refers, of course, to the breakup of the rivers, but also the breakup of snow-turned-ice all around. The most storied river breakup in Alaska is on the Nenana river. It isn't because it is the longest river (that is the Yukon) or the most spectacular, but because people gamble on when it will happen and have been doing so since 1917.  It's called the Nenana Ice Classic.  It's a thing. A very cute thing.

Dreamlife March 6 - Robin

Type: Episodic
People: My family and Ziggy (she is a person, right?)
Featured: "spring in a bag," a family play, and rats

We were preparing for the Alaskan break-up of winter where slush and mud are abundant, and a salesman offered us "spring in a bag."   It is a service, sort of like a diaper service.  They bring you all you need to mud-proof and drop a new one off every day.  We got the dog service: mud booties, mud coat and towel to clean.

Alaskans are such liars

More than one person told me that they hated April due to the breakup, during which mud and slush allegedly fill the landscape. They said that, really, there was no spring--just this horrible period between winter and summer. If you google "breakup Fairbanks," you will find this sort of quote:

"Browns and grays dominate the landscape, the snow that stays around is dirty, and mud reigns."

"Wee-Hoo! Breakup! Mud, slush, and bbq!"

"April is a month of waiting, as winter sports come to an end and summer activities are blocked by melt and mud."

"We like our break ups long, slow, and hard in Alaska.  Usually at least 4 weeks, longer if we can drag it out."

"...the resultant sea of mud is called breakup."

Give me a break!

The Prepositions of Alaska (updated May 15th with photos)

Text my Robin; photos by Leslie

Fairbank folks mark the change of the seasons by a series of two-word catch phrases, each using a preposition. I find these rather enchanting, given we have no such thing in California.

We have just experienced breakup.

Our street the day it began breaking up with Leslie's sis Laura in the background

Moose Turd Pie

(by Leslie)

We’ve seen very little wildlife since we’ve been here: mostly just crows, and a few enormous ravens at the transfer station (i.e., where you bring your garbage). I imagine there are lots of other critters about—bunnies and foxes and other non-migratory beasts—but they’re all either hibernating or just well hidden from us city slickers.

We’d been hearing tell about the moose, and had seen lots of photos of them in the newspaper, so we were constantly on the lookout for one on our walks and from our windows. But we saw nary a one.

Then the other day I looked out the window and saw tracks in the snow. “Those must have been made by a moose,” I said to Robin.

Dreamlife March 24 - Robin

Type: travel
People: Tara C, Mary and Don M.
Featured: an Ohio trip with food

Tara C. and I were on a trip and we arrived at our apartment, but I realized we were in Ohio near Mary M and I could see her.  It was very cold and we were in the process of putting away food—the French bread wouldn't fit in the freezer so we put it outside to freeze—and I just ran out the door with no explanation to Tara where I was going.  I went to Mary's house (running into Don on the way) but Mary was getting ready for a trip.  She had to leave in an hour so we couldn't do anything more than say hi.

I went back to the apartment and apologized to Tara for running out.  She forgave me.  Some gay guys with a dog were there.  I brought Ziggy out to show my dog.

It's melting! It's melting!

(by Robin)

We have been here for more than a month and I have got so used to the cold and the snow that when I saw my first melting snow yesterday, I found it quite alarming.  Ziggy did too.  We were stopped at a traffic light and she started barking at something.  The only thing to see was water dripping from a pile of ice and snow.  It somehow seems wrong! And scary!

Celebrating Alaska’s Bounty

(by Leslie)
 

When I saw an ad in the Fairbanks paper for the end-of-the-year dinner presented by the UAF Culinary Arts Department students, I quickly called up to get reservations for Robin and me. Having gone through the culinary arts program at Cabrillo College in Aptos, California, I know what a great deal these sorts of dinners are.

This $100-a-plate meal, the ad said, was called “Celebrating Alaska’s Bounty,” and would consist of eight courses, using wherever possible sustainable, locally sourced ingredients. And, I learned when I called, it would include wine-pairings as well.

table setting, with the amuse bouche

deviled picked egg with bairdi (aka snow) crab

Dreamlife March 31 - Robin

First Dream

Type: I'm just watching
People: Richard Strauss, Patricia Racette
Featured: Strauss is a jerk

Strauss was rehearsing with full orchestra a piece he written for two women's voices.  One of the singers was Patricia Racette.  I didn't know the other.  Patricia had a problem at one point and asked to do it over (though the orchestra played over her request.)  Strauss gave her a mean look and continued.  Later at the end he said, "You don't stop the music; I do."