Scrambled Brains and a Side of Deep-fried Regret

Denali Destroyer Dolls

So here we are in the midst of a wintry thaw while our family and friends receive our deep snowfall again this season!  How is it that Alaska has been basking in 40-degree temperatures and our loved ones are receiving "gobs" of snowfall -- upwards of 3 feet? In January? In North Carolina, Virginia, and Missouri? With more snow for the central United States in the forecast?

Ah well...but all is not lost.  The warmer temps have given us reason to escape the "cabin fever" and enjoy some of those adventures that only the Far North can bring!  Ethan and I rallied behind the Denali Destroyer Dolls during their recent tournament and got our first ever taste of hard-core roller derby!  Those ladies are intense!

Ethan wasn't quite sure what to make of the mayhem; but once we figured out the rules of engagement, it was so interesting to watch the strategies unfold for the teams -- all while they were balancing on eight wheels!

What in the World?

Yours truly has been known to "cut the proverbial rug" while atop a scary pair of throwback skates -- even venturing backwards during a couples' skate or two -- but not recently!  Beyond their impeccable skill level on skates, I think Ethan was most impressed (or distressed) with the full-on body tackling hits and the nomenclature and costuming they used to taunt and terrorize their opponents!  Names like "Lil Bit O' Lightning," "Pistol Whippin' Wendy," "Rhode Rage," and "Gun Her Down." But it was "Wonder Wooten" that really got him!  Imagine a combination of the scary Joker from Batman (as played by Heath Ledger) and Wonder Woman -- the Amazonian wonder goddess on steroids!  Ironically, she seemed to be one of the friendliest girls out there, even though her costume might give grown men nightmares for weeks!  It was AWESOME!  By far one of our most fun wintry afternoons as we re-live this wonderful state!  Oh, if I were only young, spry, and didn't have a fear of hitting the floor -- HARD!

"Wonder Wooten" -- Roller Derby Alaska Style!

Their athleticism can't be beat, and their enthusiasm was only rivaled this past Saturday when we hit up the Willow Winter Carnival.  Maddie was able to join us for the Carnival, finally getting a taste for some of the sporting events that are so popular in the winter here -- dog sled racing, snow machining, dog pulling, carnival rides and...OUTHOUSE RACING.

Snow Machiners in Willow

Dog Pull (200 pounds)

Goldilocks & the Three Bears after the Outhouse Race

Grandpa Beaver...Goldilocks and Three Bears have already heard your joke and put it into use in their outhouse marketing!  Three teams competed this year, and the Willow Fire Department came away with the "official" win; however, I think the Three Bears won for people's choice.

Super Slide

Who does this at 20 degrees?

Alas...trying to relive more than Alaska, I joined Ethan for a ride down the Super Slide following the outhouse races.  For those of you that know me well, heights are NOT my thing...even under the best of circumstances and when carnie rides are on pavement!  Add to the excitement giant rides that are balanced precariously on wooden blocks atop ice and snow and you're only moments from disaster!

Seriously?!?!

But it wasn't the lapse in judgment climbing to the top of the Super Slide that did me in.  It was the lapse in judgment that said, "Hey, let's ride the Scrambler!" and that still, small, Maddie-sized voice that said, "That used to be my favorite ride! We should ride it 'For the Blog!'" Since when did I start doing stuff "for the blog?"  Well, apparently, since Saturday!

You all remember the Scrambler?!  That carnie ride that spins in circles ad nauseum and throws your body into the person sitting next to you while the ride operator waits for victim number one to throw up before ending the ride?  I'm not sure what made me do it!  Yes, I am.  It was my daughter-in-law, Maddie.  She made me do it!  She gets all the blame -- for my scrambled insides, my side of deep- fried regret, my sore muscles, AND my biggest smiles and loudest squeals in the cold, Alaskan winter wonderland.

Scrambled Brains!

Who ever thought it would be a good idea to strap unsuspecting people into a contraption in the middle of winter that serves to offer its victims as projectiles at rates of LOTS of miles per hour? This is the ride that's meant to cool you off during the hot summers; but no...let's put people on it in the middle of winter and see what happens! So here's what happens...you laugh hysterically, you're thrown into your ride partner (because of sheer force and the ice that you're sitting on), you're squished if you're the unfortunate soul on the outer corner (poor Maddie), tears on your face turn to ice on contact with your cheeks, your makeup is all smeared off, and you don't open your mouth for fear of your tongue sticking to any number of metal objects associated with the ride!

Even though it sounds terrible, it was actually wonderful - and I'm so thankful that used to be one of Maddie's favorite carnie rides!  After Saturday, I'm not sure that's still the case!  But if nothing else, we can say we were living life -- loud, proud, and fun -- daring each other along the way to try something new, in this yet-to-be-tamed wonderland!

Scrambled Brains...yes!
Deep-fried Regret...only in my sore muscles; not in my adventurous heart!

"Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand
there are pleasures for evermore." Psalm 16:11