LIFE AT MINUS DEGREES F--

As we bemoan temps below freezing and snow measured in inches, it was illuminating to read news reports then poke around to learn more about winter life in Tok, Alaska.

A blogger up that way complained that one of the hazards of winter driving at such extreme temperatures is both steering and brake fluid tends to freeze. No mention was made of how they get vehicles to even start--probably nuclear powered engine block heaters.

On January 10th Tok made area headlines with an unofficial temperature of minus 80 degrees F.

Another depressing phenomenon of life in the far north--24 hours of winter darkness. The same blogger was thrilled to report at their latitude in Tok, already they were up to over 4 hours of daylight.

Tok is a burg a little smaller than Bellville located on the main--and only--road from the lower 48 through the Yukon Territory to Anchorage.

The town newspaper is several sheets of paper stapled and filled with "...tidbits of local news, ads, and lots of religious references...." It's called the Mukluk News.

Daily newspapers arrive from Fairbanks and Anchorage--when they can make it. Meanwhile most residents rely heavily on the internet for their news and daily information.

The young blogger told the story of visiting the local diner, The Grumpy Grizz Cafe, where their toddler was rewarded for her order with a large pancake specially constructed with two small pancake ears basted in the appearance of a happy Grizzly Bear.

Such is the charm of small town life in the Alaska winter.

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Click here for their Chamber of Commerce.
Click here for their weather info.
Click here for Wikipedia's viewpoint.
Click here for the blog.