Winter in Alaska

Went out to feed the poor shivering dogs before I bring them into the house, should have fed them when they were tied out, but we were late and didn't get them fed then. I get to walk them in three hours instead - oh joy. It'll be 20 below then!

Cars hate that temperature. mom's car started right up, but my brother could not get his truck to start and as I was on my way back in from feeding the dogs I could hear the neighbor cranking on the starter on his car. Cars need to be plugged in in the winter in Alaska, it as much a factor of life as shoveling out the back of your truck if you don't have a tonneau cover to keep the snow out of the truck bed.

There are ways to coax a cold car to start, however, my mom and dad used to get a block heater deal that, if I recall right, you put charcoal in and put it under the oil pan on the car. I remember my dad making home made ones for the old truck using an old tin coffee can.

We have good luck even at under -20 F by putting a hair dryer in the engine compartment and draping blankets (sleeping bags work best) around the front end of the car. You need to be careful that the dryer does not aim at anything the heat may damage, and that you be careful of the cord and don't let it get caught. The wrap of blankets is vital, otherwise the heat escapes before it can warm the engine to starting level.

I know other tips for winter survival, but I need sleep, so they will have to wait for another time. I just almost fell off the chair. Nite all.