China Hot Springs - BB’s Take

Today, Saturday, Sal and I went to Big Ray’s here in Anchorage and got warm gloves, a warm hat, more flannel-lined pants and fleece balaclavas because China Hot Springs was COLD and we weren’t properly prepared for below zero temps.  When I say “we” I of course mean me, because Sal is an outdoor person and she knows things.  But I learn quickly.

Anchorage has been in the 20s and 30s, Richmond winter weather, and dressing in layers was comfortable for running errands.  Snow pants and boots made longer trail walks easily tolerable.  But CHS was forecast for a high of 2 and a low of -11 on the day we arrived.  I saw the temperature posted at -4 on the resort’s activity board, so it was at least that cold.  Long periods of standing outside, a glove off to take pictures, was very cold.  Totally worth it for the beautiful northern lights, but, yeah, very cold.

The trip up from Anchorage was beautiful.  We did see at least four moose.  Maybe five.  I saw eyes in the dark and a big shape that I think was a moose.  We still love to see them, but no longer do a U-turn to go back for a second look.  We’ve seen a lot, which is cool.  Once the sun rose, we had snow-covered mountains all around us.  Did we see Denali?  Maybe. Is this it?  Probably not, but it’s a big one.

Later it got cloudy, but driving through the snow-dusted forest was magical.  

There was snow on the road on the drive up, but the snow is so dry, just powder, and the wind would blow it around so it would swirl in different patterns on the road.  If a truck passed us, we would be in white-out conditions for a few seconds until the show settled back down on the pavement.  

Sal pretty much told what we did.  Everything was fun.  I’d brave the hot springs again in a minute.  The ice carvings were pretty amazing and the bar was fun.  We each had an appletini in an ice-carved glass.  The tradition is to take your glass outside afterwards, make a wish and smash it.  Which we did.

The drive home on Thursday was long, partially because of stops we made and also because it snowed off and on and we were cautious driving.    Sal drove the whole way and I took pictures.  

Anchorage had gotten 6+ inches of snow while we were gone, apparently unexpected snow, and the schools  were closed.  That surprised us, but it’s partly due, maybe, to a big school bus driver shortage  here.  That’s what someone said, anyway.

We’re heading out for another trip before too long.  More Alaska adventures.  I’ll be better prepared for this trip.  Watch for pictures.   That will be us in the balaclavas .