66°54' N, 151°31' W--Bettles, AK
We went to bed too early last night, so we were up by 5a. Some signs the the dog sledders were near, but not at the finish line yet. We packed (well, Mindy packed) for the next leg of the trip. There's a 40 pound limit on the plane, so we consolidated and left two bags at the hotel--we'll be back.
We went down to breakfast, then I thought we should have the coats handy for when the mushers came in. Of course, I saw flashes from our room's window for the first place finisher while I was doing so. We ran out and saw his team leaving the field--then it was time for the shuttle.
We were told to be there by 9a to check in at the airport, and the shuttle was on the hour, so we arrived to find Bettles Air Service closed. The others were dropped off at the airport proper, then we returned--no luck. Mindy went over to see what the hours were, and found the door unlocked. So, we hung out until the staff arrived--they thought it was an afternoon trip. We also met Sarah and Gavin, a young couple from Australia on a long trip. Mindy played in the snow with the son of one of the staff while we waited.
Then, we were off in the 6 passenger Piper. We loved this--I rescind my comment on the train, THIS IS THE WAY TO TRAVEL. Took lots of pics.
Took about an hour to get to Bettles Lodge--35 miles north of the Arctic Circle. A cozy lodge with multiple structures and a very nice staff. We went through a quick orientation, then got our winter rental gear worked out.
A quick lunch (soup and a sammich) was followed by a tour of the facility--we took a van around with two dogs that alternately rode inside or raced beside us. Bettles is there because of the airstrip--a combination fueling stop and lodge. It's owned by the federal department of transportation--as soon as you leave the road, you're in surrounding Evansville. Everything they need comes via air or the ice road--the latter only available a few months a year.
A nap followed, then dinner--pot roast, rice, and Asian slaw. It was time to fully bundle up for the bonfire. It was -11°F when we exited the building, but with the exception of the part of my face that was uncovered, I was fine. The weather did not cooperate--clouds moved on. We hung out by the fire until 11p, then I stayed up for an hour past that before crashing. Mindy kept checking every 90 minutes--no luck seeing the Northern Lights tonight. Maybe tomorrow.
Beard Day 5--Flintstones, meet the Flintstones...
