It's taken me three months, but I finally get it! OK, stick with me here. Alaska is in the US. The Brooks Range of mountains is in northern Alaska. At some point in the winter, the sun goes down and doesn't come back up for about a month or two. THAT'S ONE DAY! During that time it's completely dark and about 50 below zero. There is no electricity and no grocery store. No telephone. Transportation mostly by sled dog. If you don't have your three month or so supply of food and fuel, then you become part of the permafrost.

Hey! I'm going to be prepared for three days . . . in the Brooks Range in January! Thank you Bill Clinton for teaching me how to think and how to decipher "truthful" advice from our honest, informed and concerned politicians. aka candya** closet survivalists

-- Puddintame (dit@dot.com), March 08, 1999

Answers

Yup, and how are the storms up in Alaska? <:)=

-- Sysman (y2kboard@yahoo.com), March 08, 1999.

Pudd,

Ever been to Bettles? How about a night landing in Ft. Yukon when it's 45 below. And then theres driving over Atigan on a clear day. You really have to have to have done that to fully relate to Wagner.

Man, you do bring back memories. I too wish we could get the point you make about preparations across as clearly as life in the Brooks does.

-- Greybear

- Words by Robert Service about my beloved North Land that may all too well describe our nation:

We were crude and careless frontiersmen, with much in us of the beast;

We could bear the famine worthily, but we lost our heads at the feast.

-- Greybear (greybear@home.com), March 08, 1999.

BRRRRRRRRR---------THUNK! Willy's wonderful ways of defining "how burrs stick" and "how thunk follows no-think".Should we define the three day notion as the Brooks Underestimated Range Plan or BURP? Puddintame; I have really enjoyed this post. Keep that bright mind of yours rolling. Thanks for the chuckles. Best wishes,

-- Watchful (seethesea@msn.com), March 08, 1999.

Tis not the "tamed" but the "tane" which survive!...For it harkens back beyond guile to a 'wile', we've most lost........BUTT EYE' WANDER!///////////"Did" my limit in Calgary-late 60's/[midnight-50 below-35 mph, gusts-100+-0. Awesome!!!!!The crystalized vapor swirling in- inverted rainbows-the city lights exposing mother natures secret dream~.\\//.."Back To The Future!"......countdown to the very last fools day of the-this millenium! A Hallmark Moment!!!!!!...What say about a "Fool Bridge" to end all???????..By 0=0+0-0+= we should or would or may or will have the "LOOK"!...'Aftermath In Action!'...ov jist who is, er, was ah fool...."Think Not!"...yerz truly 'Outlandish'.......3 DAZE is sufficient!!!!..."Still lov'in that midnight sun"...........'out!'....and hate'n the crystal haze!..........

-- Outlander (godsgold@hotmail.com), March 09, 1999.

Greybear, So as not to mislead, my experience with the Brooks is confined to literature. My closest real life experience (geographically) is Circle, Alaska, around the time of break-up (Yukon) in 1990. So it was warm and light.

Greybear, I assume you've read "Coming Into the Country" by John McPhee. For any others I'd heartily recommend it for a slice of the nitty gritty reality of living off the land; it's not for the weak of mind, spirit or body. That's what has me worried, both for myself and others.

There were several other books about life in modern day Alaska which I found fascinating. They were kind of spawned by McPhee's work. I can't remember the names of these books. I'd appreciate any attempts to jog my memory.

-- Puddintame (dit@dot.com), March 09, 1999.

Duh.

Anyone who lives there would know that 72 hours means nothing to them.

-- Chief Elf (santa@north.pole), March 09, 1999.

Three days is the theoretical time it will take the military to round your asses up so they can feed and water you... like so much cattle. Prepare now, or prepare to be herded....

The Dog

-- dog (desertdog@sand.com), March 09, 1999.

(snip)"- Words by Robert Service about my beloved North Land that may all too well describe our nation:

We were crude and careless frontiersmen, with much in us of the beast;

We could bear the famine worthily, but we lost our heads at the feast.

-- Greybear" (snip off)

Okay GB....(which happen to be my father's initials BTW), with your quote now from Robert Service, the laughing/crying comments, other sagely witticisms,...I know for certain that you are either my father, or you are his twin from a different mother. Wasn't there a theory out for some time ago about everyone having a doppleganger somewhere in the world? Too spooky and pretty neat all at the same time,...(Twilight Zone Music fades as post comes to a close.....)

-- Donna Barthuley (moment@pacbell.net), March 09, 1999.

Donna,

Then let's make it official.

I, Greybear, hereby adopt Donna as my cyber daughter.

s/Greybear/

Proud to have you in the clan Donna. Bad news is you gotta develope a keen taste for beans and Spam.

-- Greybear (greybear@home.com), March 09, 1999.

Cograts. Puddintame: I dont live north of the arctic circle, but latitude 60*north isnt that far south of it. During the winter here it isnt unusual to get stuck inside for 4-5 days. I have a hard time believing people can look foward to going the grocery everyday after work, thinking back, my parents use to do that. When I hear the fat- cats saying that if the average working stiff stocking his cupboard with a little extra will start a panic I get a little more than upset. Better watch the ol blood pressure. But your right one arctic night lasts about 6 weeks,so settle in and enjoy evening Alaskan style Good Luck......Dennis

-- Dennis S. (souza@ptialaska.net), March 09, 1999.

Daddy Bear,...can I have ketchup with that?

-Donna, the baby bear appreciative of the open hearts of her Y2K friends!

Got ketchup???

-- Donna Barthuley (moment@pacbell.net), March 09, 1999.

Puddintame, one of my favorite authors, (a mega irascible character), is Harlan Ellison. A concept that he uses in at least one short story is: "The Hour That Stretches". Time is out of shape,...days become hours...hours, days. I guess the government types ("we're here to help") are just applying Harlan's concept for all us sorry chillun willing to listen to nonsense about 72 hours of preparations....those hours are stretched so thin they're nearly transparent, eh? They really mean 72 stretched hours...

Yep, yep, yep...that must be it. Since politicians/power-brokers never lie, it's the only logical conclusion.

-- Donna Barthuley (moment@pacbell.net), March 09, 1999.

Donna,

Sorry, couldn't help overhearing your conversation with Pudd.

Harlan Ellison is one of my favourites too.

Catchup, of course, anything for my little girl, you'll have to pick the tomatoes first then.....

-- Greybear (greybear@home.com), March 09, 1999.

Be still my full, full heart. What's better than one loving dad?...........Two! :-)

Got short stories?

-Donna, the cyber bear daughter

-- Donna Barthuley (moment@pacbell.net), March 09, 1999.