White Spring

Following the Fairbanks winter first comes 'white spring', then 'brown spring' (when everything melts) and finally 'green spring'. March 1 has come and gone - the northern hemisphere equivalent of 1 September - but there are certainly no daffodils or lambs in sight! However it is warming up, and the daylight hours are increasing about 5 minutes a day. White spring is the time to get out and enjoy the Alaskan wilderness with less concern about either horrific cold or bears!

We took part in a little ski tour last Sunday. We drive about 90 km from town and skied an out and back trail along the North Chena river for about 4 hours, including stops. Here we are during lunch break.
Accouting for Frank behind the camera, there were 4/6 beards. Lisa is sporting a new hat - won the previous day at the UAF trails day. She rocked up for some extra skate-skiing lessons, the 2 km classic ski race at the end of the day. Hey, first out of two is still first, especially when you win a hat, t-shirt, drink bottle, and $10 gift voucher!

So this little trip was really neat. I'm so glad that Lise and I have both picked up xc skiing quickly enough, and indeed enjoy it enough, to make these kinds of trips possible and fun. Skiing gives you access to these pretty remote places with minimal disturbance. When you stopped to pause in that vast wilderness, you could really get a sense for the enormity of the open spaces up here. Just snow sloughing off branches, and a few birds chirping to break the silence. Plenty of tracks about the place too, from moose wading through metre-deep snow to squirrels only punching through the crust about half a centimetre. Plenty more trips to come I hope!

For Gareth and Simone

Lisa and I are really very sorry that we can't be there today to join with you all in celebrating and sharing this occasion with Gareth and Simone. I'm sure I can trust the likes of Jase, Trev, Hutch and Dad to tell plenty of stories, so I'll shoot straight from the heart.

Gareth - I have always admired, and in fact envied, what I see as two distinct aspects of what makes you special. You've always been very comfortable meeting, mingling, and usually sharing a beer with people from all walks of life in all kinds of situations, in a natural and relaxed way. Its that ease that makes you such a natural and so good at your job - and a guy who's well known and well liked in the community.

But I'm sure that most all of you here this evening agree with me when I say that for those close to you, you're much more than the easy casual friend you are to so many people. While you make new contacts easily, you keep old friends very well: because you're straight up, loyal, giving and caring and stand by them. These attributes are golden.

So I think you've done well, Simone, but Gareth, or course, has done equally well in finding you. You are bright, bubbly, loving and have had an incredible impact on Gareth. Lisa and I are look forward to spending more time with you in the years to come. I can't wait to see the wedding pictures, I'm sure you must both look great, and be beaming.

So all the way from Alaska, Lisa and I wish would like to propose another toast - I'm sure none of you mind another drink! - To many fun-filled years together that are rich in experience and happiness; to Gareth and Simone!