Snow Machine rules and some blizzard advice.

Recently, going out to the Iditarod and watching the mushers here as well as thinking “what if” something happened. I noticed that there was overflow on some of the lakes. I also noticed some branches broken and if I would have hit them with my leg on my snow machine I would have been in a world of hurt. I also noticed how fast people were going (as I put put around) and thought what would happen if I would have gotten hit by an obviously more powerful machine then the one I was on. Also, I hit a blizzard coming back in from Willow, so that was another challenge. So I thought I would take a few moments for those to keep aware if you ride snow machines.

1. Overflow is bad! On Lakes and River overflow can be a killer due to flooding of your machine, the possibility of the machine sinking into the water and disappearing all together and the fact you can become overly wet and it can become hypothermia. What happens if you hit an overflow area is accelerate! Don’t wait around and hope nothing happens or someone is going to be there to help you. Never Assume! Accelerate as fast as you can to get out of the water. After you are out of the water, make sure to get into some powder to lube up your tracks.

2. Hidden branches, logs, etc. You never know when you are going to smack into one of these lovely hidden items. I always go slow when I am in a area that I don’t know. Word for the wiser folk to the others. Trails in wooded areas can be just as bad as going fast on flat land. You could hit a nice mogul (bump) and ram your knee or some part of your leg into a branch hidden by snow. If that happen, you should always make sure you have a small first aid kit handy as well as a belt just in case you can’t stop any bleeding. I saw someone do it this weekend. Goot thing it was just a nasty scrape… as it could have been worse.

3. Just because you have a nice, new machine that can go 80 mph on the snow doesn’t mean you have to go that fast! I understand the adrenaline rush for going that fast, but if you aren’t experienced enough nor have the right gear on, all you are doing in endangering yourself and others. You can hurt yourself just as bad on a machine going 60 as you can in a car going that fast since snow and ice are not your friend if something happens and you go flying off. Taking sharp turns and going in front of others who are slower or do not have a supped up machine is impolite and can endanger them as well. Large crowds are also a huge problem for those who like to speed around. Always remember to keep an eye out for those who are out to enjoy the day and the ride, as these people will more than likely be the ones who help you when you are down and
hurt.

4. Always be a courteous rider. Going over hills that are known to have roads, people walking areas, and anything that is normally not machine acceptable in most cases doesn’t mean you have to be a jerk. When in a group (two or more people) one person should be the spotter and everyone should take turns to watch especially when it comes to riding across streets or run ways to go across. This also go with hills and trails around homes and cabins.

As for blizzards, well we seem to be getting quite a few snow storms as of late. Today was pretty nasty. Yesterday it was white out as soon as you got over the Knik Bridge going towards Anchorage. All you can do is slow down, put your lights on and make sure to listen to the sound of the snow and the difference in thickness of snow. You will notice as it sound kind of like someone making a low balloon squeak or when you sit on a leather seat and try to move. If you hear that get out of it. You are about to go into no mans land and ditch dive. And in a bad storm, no one will want to help get you out. Always make sure you have a B.O.B of your choice and a shovel. You may be your only hope.

I hope these little tid bits can help you. If not, just remember….. never assume!

Mushing and the Iditarod 2010.

Taking dogs, a sled and mushing through the snow sound like an idea for you?  It could work in the right circumstances.  But Alaska in many ways has pulls away from that old idea, except of the Iditarod.  Many others use dogs for traplines around Alaska as well as other States and Canada.  But it is hard work.... so unless you want to wake up at 4:30 every morning to feed them, then they may not be worth your time.

We decided to go watch the teams go by on a quiet strip, for the Iditarod.  I have a few photo's I will be in posting.  I have a lot of respect for these people who spend all this time with their dogs and training them.  I will be honest, I love animals... but caring for 50 or more can be more time then I could manage.  Good Luck to those on the trail!

Could you do it?  Would you want too?  What if meant you had to to survive?  Could this be your B.O.B.?

This is Dee Dee, a cancer survivor and has run 28 time in the Iditarod.  She is one woman who I would want on my team.

Jeff King, 4 time champion.  Neat guy and appreciates people coming out to wish him off.

And here is Martin Buser.  If you have seen Discovery Channel or watch Dirty Job's with Mike Roe... you have seen him on there.  Pretty decent guy.

Good Luck guys!

Seedlings... my early set.

Oh yes, I have some seedlings.  2 weeks ago I started them and I thought I would share some pictures.

my heirloom pumpkin... going to be very cool.

they are next to the heater to keep them warm at night.

my little herbs a starting... aren't they cute!

So there you go.  Hope you are doing well and I hope to have some iditarod pics and talking about how to stay warm on snowmachines.  :)

Never, ever think you are in a safe zone!

I read a blog recently that said if you lucky enough to be in a safe zone away from natural disasters and it got me thinking.  What is a safe zone?  I have never seen one.

Now, some people live in the interior (or if you are not in Alaska, lets say fly over country) and it can be just as damaging to live in the "middle" then it can be living on or next to a coastal region.  No matter where you go, you will have fault lines, flood plains and so on.  Someone a few weeks ago said that to have an earthquake in theri region, wouldn't be to bad.  I argued, as I love a good arguement, that the people living in an area that has not recieved an earthquake in over a hundred years are going to be the "Katrina" of the next natural disaster phase. 

Why am I saying this?  Because no matter where you are, there will be a disaster.  It is the law of pyshics and of course Ol'e Murphy.  If you live on a flat plain (such as farmers) there will be a flood eventually.  As well as tornado's.  Even Alaska has had a few tornado's whether anyone wants to admit to it or not. 

But, I digress.  Earthquakes in the fly over of the U.S. happen rarely but there are quite a few faultlines in those areas.  They are more stable due to the limestone and other natural stone that are soft but firm.  But what is the issue is that water (above ground or below which is more deadly) can and has been able to disinegrate the softer stone and can leave huge marks as well as availibilty for some movement from below.

Take under ground coal mining.  Most people do not realize that to get to the coal you HAVE to get through a section of what are called traps.  Traps are what many in the oil and gas industry look for for pockets of oil and gas and in some cases water.  But sometimes there is a fissure or a crack that the oil, gas, and water can escape.. with that the pressure of anything left, usually some type of carbon elements such as an old pond, leaf and plain grass decay etc, can make what ever is left in that area turn into a coal like substance.  Lignite coal is what many do not realize is used to generate electricity around the nation.  It can be either a stick brown coal or a darker sulfer smelling.  Now, you have this coal mine and you are drilling, blowing up and taking our traps.  The traps are part of fissures which are smaller faults... and in some cases are ajoined to large fault lines.  Now what does this have to do with mines and earthquakes.  Well, sometimes the fissures that are still "attached" to larger fault lines set off a wave when disturned causing a small amount of vibration... which can start the rumble of a small magnitude earthquake.  After that happens, it is only a manner of time in which either the fault will "pop" or shift the trillions of tons of gravel and start an earthquake and possibly make these mine shafts collapes.  This also happens when oil companies drill.  It is a fact of life and many hours of research goes into this before drilling the fault and trap to get the oil.

Now, flooding of an area or excessive winds can also make this a nightmare.  Since water and wind are the biggest erronding factors, even under human possibilty, they are the main reason why there are small tremors around the world.  Underground river can errod an area under the crust of someones farm faster then you can say, Jack Rabbit.  Causing either a "sink hole" in most cases but also, if deep enough triggering a small earthquake.  Italy is notorius for this type of activity and their lava tubes around their region.

We also have those fun caldera's or underground volcano's all over the world.  Some are like Yellow Stone, when you have no clue when it is going to blow it's "top".  But there are other types of volcanos no one really knows about that can be just as bad.  Like mud volcanos, which are level or a little sunken with the ground around it and can send either a sulfer like mix mud gyser (think yellow stone but far smellier) and this stuff can give you first degree burns, and in some areas (like south america) has been known to take out whole villages due to a fissure collapsing and making the mud sulfer mix flood an area.  Alaska has a few mud volcanos, if you are curious to look for them.  They are by the Wrangell Mountains, 50 or so miles due east of Tok.

When someone says that you are in a safe zone, just remember... no where is safe when it comes to natural disasters.

Seeds a starting... and cabin fever as well as Fur Rondy in full swing!

Awww life, you know how it gets in the way of a good thing. Well life decided to smack me and unfortunately I had to deal with it before blogging on what I enjoy.


But on to nicer details!

Last week I had a moment and started a few seeds. Some heirloom winter squash that can be canned for pumpkin pies. Some heirloom lemon cukes, a couple different varieties of tom’s and all my herbs as well as a few other seeds that I can’t think of. This year I am going to take my herbs inside and see how they do, but I need to start them early so I can stick them in my green house. I would say sometime in the next two weeks or so, I am going to start on my heirloom and hybrid mixes of veggies. As I said earlier, I only buy the variety of hybrid that doesn’t wilt if we have a frost. I am looking forward to the TAM jalapeño seeds we bought as well as other things like squash, zukes, cali’s, cabbage, and my normal gardening entourage of flora and fauna.

But I also decided to TRY to grow corn and have 5 seeds sprouting. There is a variety that I guess grows in Alaska, a variant or a hybrid type. I will be keeping them in a more shaded area of the yard so they may be able to grow at least a little. Also, I am growing blue berry bushes from seed. I have NO clue how long this is going to take as I bought them from a “Post card” thinking why the heck not. It couldn’t hurt to at least try. I will keep everyone post on how they do, but I am not expecting miracles.

I am acquiring the buckets for the city container garden at my house and of course some for the big garden. I have purchased perilite for the soil as I am sure it is going to need some soon and I also bought some mixing potting soil.

I have to say I am looking forward to Break Up (our version of spring in Alaska) more then ever as I have cabin fever horribly this year. I would have to say this is the worst case I have had in years. But you can’t complain as this IS Alaska! 

If you haven't heard or just didn't know, Fur Rondy is in full swing and soon the Iditarod will be a running (pun intended).  The Iron Dog is also in full gear (hehe) and soon Arctic Man will be upon us.  Yet, I have this odd feeling that we are going to have a early break up.  Maybe it is just me and wishful thinking!  Maybe I should go run with the reindeer this year?  What do you think?

Potatoes and old tires... awesome recycling idea!

If you have ever grown potatoes, you know how they like to grow up.


But did you know that growing them in old tires is the way to go for containing your potatoes as well as getting the maximum growth and potatoes for the year!

Picking your potato is the first step. I personally like the little Alaska Red which is a small to medium sized red potato which is sprung from a Red Beauty and Alaska Russets for their small firm body and golden colors. They are both good if there is a frost and do well in even chilly or cool summers.

Now, on to the tires and what to do when you acquire them. You can get these for free in most cases, such as posting on craigslist or another free website asking for bald tires. Do not pay for them if you do not have too. I would recommend at least 10 tires; there is a method to my madness.

After you receive the tires… pick one side of the tire and take off the wall of the tire. But only cut off one side! Pick a spot in your yard that gets partial sun, good drainage. Take a tire and put it on the ground, cut side down and add some of your soil that you choose to use and put a few potatoes in it. Then stack another tire (cut side down) on top of the first tire, add some soil and let it sit. The reason you do not want to use the whole tires is 1. Water can collect in the rounded part of the tire and rot your potatoes, 2. You can breed insects you never wanted, and 3. It will make life easier for you when you take them apart to harvest them.

When you start seeing the tops of the potatoes coming up, you will need to have at least 4-6 inches of growth. You will then take another cut tires, stack with the cut side down on top and add soil. You will need to keep doing this throughout the summer. Adding the tires to the new top growth of the potatoes will actually MAKE the growth sprout, and sprout MORE potatoes!

When I finally decide to pull the potatoes, it is or can be anywhere from late August to the beginning of October. Make sure to pull your potatoes BEFORE a big freeze or you are going to be working your buns off. Frost resistant types work best for Alaska… but I also say experiment.

My easy way of working potatoes. You can have as many “stacks” as you would like but I do not recommend that you go over 5 tires a stack. Be careful with child concerning these stacks as you know how they like to climb on things. And when you pull the tires off, throw the dirt in a corner with some lime, fertilizer and other goodies to use again. Do not use the same soil more then 3 times on your potato stacks and transfer what soil you have into your garden.

Container Gardens in Alaska. How you can make it inexpensive.

Container gardens are something I flourish in. I enjoy them as you can move them around your yard or if they need to be in sunlight but not certain types of dirt as well as moving them closer to your house and draping them if the weather turns. Container gardens work for everyone. Apartments or Houses, they are versatile and easy for all.


How I usually start is asking any restaurant or business that uses buckets, if I can take them off their hands, rather than dumping them in the trash or buy them off the business for a small fee. Most restaurants have them in 5 gallon sizes or larger. Hey, you can’t get everything for free. I do not ever go over a dollar a bucket and since I am picking them up they really can’t say it is a bad deal to take them off their property.

When I finally have the amount of buckets I want, I wash them thoroughly with a mild soap and warm water and use a spray bottle with a little bleach to kill any mold or bacteria that may be bad for my soil and plants. In which after I wipe them down well and let stand and dry overnight. I then grab a cordless drill, and find a good drill bit in which to drill holes in the bottom and on the side of the bucket no more than an inch from the bottom of the bucket. Good drainage is always wanted with container gardens. Make sure to have at least 10 to 20 holes in the bucket, depending on size of the drill bit.

Now, with that done, I usually mix my own soil. I have a wheel barrel (or you can use a tarp) and put 3 buckets of soil, 2 cups of lime, 2 cups of fertilizer (your choice), half a bucket of peat moss, and my secret ingredient…. 4 cups of ash from a wood stove. I take my shovel or spade and mix all these ingredients in. If the soil is for tomatoes or peppers, I make sure to add some egg shells, and some “moose nuggets” as it will help with the growth and drainage.  You can always call around to the gravel companies and ask how much they charge for good soil... it will depend on the time of year but May is a good time to call since they are not selling the soil as much or fast as the summer.

Fill the buckets till you have about 2 inches from the top of the bucket. You want to make sure you have 2 inches as it will give you space if you need to add extra soil later in the summer as the plants will absorb quite a bit of the nutrients. It is almost like a natural fertilizer that they have been already cultivating in.

Do this will all your buckets and however much soil you have. Leave out for two days in the weather so the lime in the soil can perforate the bucket and the plastic as well as whatever was in the buckets to begin with can transfer their properties and not kill the plant. After the two days, plant no more than two plants of your choice in each bucket. If you have a lot of seedlings…. You will need a lot of buckets!

Water normally, check the soil once a week (as it will settle) and add soil as needed or if needed and make sure to follow the directions via the seed packets.

The best types of container plants are lettuce, spinach, kohlrabi, herbs of all kinds, broccoli, cabbage, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and you can go on and see. I do not recommend doing this with carrots or potatoes in large bunches…. As they will rot at times.

Good Luck and have fun with it!

If you are looking for more information.  There is something called Bucket Brigade which is based out of Seattle Washington.  It would be good to start a preppers bucket, me thinks.  Anyone else up for the challenge?