And on…and on…

Another morning to wake up to -20 temps.  The forecast said it was to warm up today or tomorrow.  Hoping they are right.   The cold is getting very old. 

It changes everything.    We want to stay in.  We don’t want to go anywhere because that means getting out of the car to walk in somewhere.  You figure out ways to get by and just make do… and don’t do anything unless you feel like you have to.

I’m thankful we have had just temps of -20 or -30.  Other places within 10 miles of us have had temps staying in the -30’s and -40’s range.    Record low temps have hit other places of the state. -64 in Chicken and  -78 near Tok.  That is seriously cold!!!

Vehicles break down in the cold and there are more problems for people.  The repair shops and auto parts stores can’t keep up and are out of stock of many needed items.  

Homes are harder to heat and we have seen some sad stories on the news of people dying in house fires.  One story most recently was a trailer house fire with 2 boys in it that were similar ages to my boys.  The oldest is in critical condition and the youngest sadly didn’t make it.    A reminder for us which made us review with the kids what we do in a fire emergency.

Trucks shipping produce and groceries broke down in Tok and in Canada.  The produce shelves had a huge percentage empty when I went grocery shopping last weekend.   I was planning on making a big salad and there was not one tomato.  Not one head of lettuce or bag of lettuce.  Some of the shelves were completely out of things as well.  It was a reminder how dependent Alaska is on the Lower 48 for shipping groceries.  Many old timers here recall times when you had to be prepared more when living in Alaska.  It really hasn’t been that long ago since Alaska was a time of no Cost-cos, Wal-marts and Targets.  The state is only 50 years old.   When we moved to Alaska almost 15 years there wasn’t even a Wal-mart in Wasilla.  The main road we drive on to get to our house was a narrow dirt road. 

Times have changed but somethings haven’t.  The way we still get goods to Alaska is still very much the same.  If there was some major catastrophe in the Lower 48 all shipping to us would most likely cease.  It is a little bit scary but also something to think about and to prepare for.  I already have plenty of staples in my pantry but I am going to set up some emergency Rubbermaid containers full of flour, sugar, yeast, powdered milk, pasta, rice, dried beans & canned goods.    Being prepared will bring a peace of mind….just in case….