Icewind's Ramblings

My friend Scott and I when to lunch at Golden Coral, which seems to be the new ‘in’ place to go for lunch or dinner since opening recently. Just as I am about to leave, I decide a trip to the little boys room is in order. For those that know me, I know big surprise. When I finish spilling my water, I go to pull on the little handle to do the flush thing, surprise . . . it has one of the auto flush heads on it and before I know what is happening, it fires off. Well wouldn't you fre$%&*@ know it; Golden Coral has the super flush model enabled. What seems like five gallons of water comes crashing down into the half gallon basin of the urinal. Lucky for me I have catlike reflexes and I was able jump back in time to miss the initial deluge that came sloshing out on the floor. Unlucky for me I didn't jump back far enough and the water/pee combination that hit the floor splashed over my shoes. How it didn't get on my pants is still beyond me. I hope that this is...

Just competing in the Iditarod, everyone is a winner! After almost two and a half weeks of mushing by some of the strongest competitors on earth; canines along with the men and women who completed this year’s Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race came to a close during another cold dark night when Dr. Ellen Halverson, a native of North Dakota now living in Wasilla, Alaska, crossed the finish line in Nome at 2:56 local time this morning, making her total time on the trail 16 days, 11 hours and 56 minutes. An award is given to the last person to complete the race each year - - in recognition that the Iditarod is a grueling test of mental and physical endurance over the 1,100 mile trail. The last finisher is presented with a “red lantern” that has hung at the finish line in Nome since the start of the race. From Iditarod History it was said, “During the days of Alaska sled dog freighting and mail carrying, dog drivers relied on a series of roadhouses between their village dest...

And what ever happened to “Peep Etiquette” now that computers are taking over? As any loyal WalMart (that’s the only Big Box Store here in Alaska ) shopper has probably noticed recently, Easter is right around the corner. Along with the coming of this entirely religious holiday also comes the perennial holiday favorite, the Peep . I knew all along since my childhood and my upbringing that there was a Jesus connection between Peeps and Easter but I did not realize what it was until I traveled to this eastern Pennsylvania town. Years ago I was driving to an auto race in Nazareth Pennsylvania and by chance discovered another town not far away called Bethlehem . Not one to let things go unnoticed I realized that this Nazareth and Bethlehem might not be in anyone's Holy Land; they're in Pennsylvania 's rolling Lehigh Valley . The area was filled with biblical references and quaint little houses dot the landscape. It was not long before I made a di...

"The mind keeps vacillating between a hot past (can be anger, bitterness, regret, etc.) and a cold future (stemming from anxiety, frustration or fear). As a result, we lose touch with the present. The Art of Living is about the moment called NOW " I have some friends in the lower 48 who are going through some rough times right now. My prayers and thoughts are with them as they continue battling health issues. I can say that all of your friends in The Amazon Basin are keeping you both in our thoughts and prayers. Draw from our strength as you need and feel the love from all of those you have touched in the past. Our hearts are with your family now. Ice

The last few weeks have been quite hectic for me and my family with so many things being prepared for events that have been in the works, some for months now. One was the wedding ceremony for my youngest daughter. I had the unique pleasure of performing the wedding ceremony and vows which is one of the many great things about living in Alaska . I guess it started when Alaska was still a territory and there were not many judges or preachers to complete the ceremonies so they allow residents to fill out the paperwork and perform the task. It is pretty neat to be able to give your daughter’s hand in marriage and also perform the vows with them. The family has also been in the process of preparing for family members who are in the process of relocating from Utah to arrive. There are the usual things like making sure there is enough sleeping space for everyone and the possible temporary storage of the items brought north. There are so many things going on with many t...

It has been over two weeks now since the start of this year’s Iditarod Trial Sled Dog Race began and it continues to test the strength and resolve of the competitors, both human and canine. The race started in Anchorage on March 3 rd with the ceremonial start downtown and running through the trails normally used in summer for hiking and bicycling. It wound it course through the parks and neighborhoods on a beautifully crisp cloudless day. It was a fun day for both the competitors and spectators setting the way for the “Official” start in Willow Sunday afternoon. The starting field this year consisted of 83 competitors who are as varied in nature as any before. Some are full time mushers while others “work” in various industries ranging student to farmers to teacher to retired postal worker. A mix of men and women who had a dream and went for it braving harsh conditions on the trail and understanding the inner Zen-like quality within themselves to push forward. ...