The view from the outhouse.
Friday March 5
Kari and I decided to pack the loose snow on the runway so it will freeze back up. I hooked Kari’s machine up to a tub sled load of old batteries and groomed around the yard and trails while she rode up and down the runway. Then I groomed the river trail beside the runway so that most of the traffic will stay on it. It is a nice sunny day with the temperature in the twenties. I’m riding with a sock cap on my head and staying warm. I decided to take a trip to Skwentna to groom the trail and make it a little better for the Iditarod traffic this weekend. I asked Kari if she wanted to go and she didn’t. Can’t blame her, I can only groom about 10 miles an hour so it would be a boring ride for her. I hadn’t eaten yet today so we went back to the cabin for a snack, the pistol, and Spot so I can message Kari in case I have trouble. Kari has bear meat cooking for bear and noodles with homemade bread for dinner. Smells really good. I see the ingredients out for a rhubarb pie. It was a good decision for her to stay home, I can taste the pie and ice cream now. Quarter tank of fuel. I should have enough. If the low fuel light winks at me I’m turning around and heading back home. I made the turn around by the Skwentna post office and headed back. The groomer is doing a good job. Another pass tomorrow and it will be great. It has been a little over an hour and I’m back at the slough. Might as well flirt with the low fuel light a little more and head down to the turnoff to Roger’s. She hasn’t winked at me yet. Back home after 15 miles of grooming, I can imagine how Roger feels after grooming for 100 plus miles in a day.
He listens to music to help pass the time. I just let my mind wander until I wander off the trail. The other day I was coming down the ice road thinking out here in flat light where you can’t tell up from down is like being out in deep space. Star Trek is on my mind. The real freighters pulling double sleds are like Captain Kirk. I’m just a little space junk hauler laying low around the guys that do it for a living. Soon I will encounter the giant Snow Federation convoy of snowcat freighters hauling to the mine where they are looking for dilithium crystals that will save the earth from petroleum energy.
Beam me up Scotty, I’m ready for bear and noodles, and rhubarb pie.
From Silty Slough and deep space, I wish you well my friends. Stay safe and healthy.
Thank you Lord for watching over those of us that really need it.
I’ll be in touch.
Blue skies!!
The View from the Outhouse 