Tok Alaska

Now it's REALLY spring

2010-05-06T21:05:00.003-08:00

Wow. I went outside for a couple of weeks and came home to the snow just about gone. I've never missed break up before and it wasn't bad at all. ;>) The crocuses --pasque flowers are blooming so we know that spring is really on the way. We have a raised bed garden so we have already put the potatoes in. I'll plant carrot seeds and some other slow starters this weekend (if it doesn't snow). Being gone meant no starter plants at home so I'll have to buy tomato plants for the greenhouse.

It looks like a moose helped herself to the lilac bushes, so we won't see many blossoms this summer. I guess next year I'll have to surround it with chicken wire.

We're hoping that Saturday is warm and we can have our first picnic of the year at Tok River Campground.

Has Spring Come Early to Tok?

2010-02-15T14:35:00.006-09:00

Is is possible spring has come to Tok already? It has been such a warm winter anyway and here we are in the middle of February looking at temperatures around 0 or on the plus side. That translates into spring around here. Normally we are still looking at the depths of winter but with the warmer temperatures and the increasing daylight our thoughts can't help but turn to spring.

People are moving around more and I saw kids coming home from school carrying their coats. These are hyacinths bulbs and daffodils we have in the office. Now that smells and looks like spring!

This truly is an amazing place to live, grow up and call home.

KUAC Fundraiser has local input

2009-10-21T15:07:00.002-08:00

I'm publishing an email I got from our local Duct Tape Radio regarding KUAC's(public radio)
fundraiser. And we can cost Lucia a small fortune if we all call in and pledge that night!

Hey there, Duct Tape fans!
If you've been listening to KUAC lately you have the numbers 1800 474-5822 echoing in your head. Yes, it's their Pledge Week! Tok's own Bud Johnson is going to do a special live version of his radio show, Accousic Accents this week. Wouldn't it be cool if he had a bunch of people from Tok call in their pledge? Well, here, I'll let Bud tell you just how cool ...
Hi Folks:
Please excuse this cyber intrusion but I wanted to let you know that KUAC has kicked off its annual fund drive. More to the point, I want you to know that I will be driving to Fairbanks next Friday (the 23rd) to help them out by doing my show (Acoustic Accents) live. I know some of you occasionally tune me in on Friday nights so I'm asking (shamelessly) for you to wait until Friday night at 9 pm to phone in that generous pledge that I know you're going to be making. I believe this is the 6th or 7th year that I've done the show live and it's always a little challenging because I'm always at the END of the drive and most folks have already succumbed to the incessant pleas for money and phoned in their pledge. So if NPR is as important to you as I think it is, please show your support and phone in a pledge sometime next week (and if you can wait until next Friday at 9:00 pm that would even be better!)
NiLts' udelken--We are all related.
Bud Johnson
Producer/Host
ACOUSTIC ACCENTS
P.O. Box 89
Tok, Alaska 99780
info@acousticaccents.net
http://www.acousticaccents.net
"Celebrating 15 years of Folkin' Up The Radio"
So, Duct Tape Fans, here's a challenge ... If five people from Tok call in their pledge during Bud's show I will double my own pledge! Yikes, what am I saying? No, I'm up for it. Are you??

Back from summer

2009-10-20T10:28:00.003-08:00

Whew! Well the busy summer is over, and a LONG fall has been with us. Weather has been spectacular--blue sky, no snow, and no real cold. I keep waiting for it to end. I can't believe I haven't written since June, but between trips to Fairbanks and work, the time flew by.
I missed writing about the bird festivals, the cranberry festival (to benefit the food bank) and the end of summer.
Cranberries weren't as big as usual because we had such a warm, dry summer. We picked our blueberries out in Chicken and they are huge and juicy. Love both of them in scones or banana bread.
Now life has calmed down, the tourists are gone, the tourism businesses are mostly closed and people are settling into winter mode. I'm sure the kids are grousing because there is no snow for snow machining. Four wheelers are still the preferred mode of transportation.
There is termination dust on the mountains but it hasn't reached us yet. Soon, I'm sure.
Trick or Treat Street will be happening again at the school, falling this year on the actual date of Halloween. We are already prepared. I've even got my "costume" ready.

Music fans...

2009-06-12T10:54:00.002-08:00

Dont forget Chickenstock this Saturday...(write-up in the newsminer) sounds like fun

Hunting

2009-05-18T13:33:00.005-08:00

Just a reminder for those hunters intending to apply for a Draw Permit Hunt this spring. This includes Bison hunting in Delta, Moose (including some new hunts in Game Managment Unit 13) and Kodiak Brown Bear. The deadline to apply for these specialized draw hunts is May 31, 2009. The applications are available online at http://www.wildlife.alaska.gov/ or at the local Alaska Department of Fish and Game office in Tok.

2009-05-18T09:07:00.005-08:00

I promised in another blog that I would share "my" recipe for European style bread. This comes straight from Mother Earth News except for the temperatures I use. Thos in the original recipe resulted in a hard, dark bottom curst. It is the easiest bread recipe I have, and it makes the very best bread.

Mother Earth News Bread Recipe
No Knead, Dutch Oven Bread
1⁄4 tsp active dry yeast
1 1⁄2 cups warm water
3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting. You may use white, whole wheat or a combination of the two.
1 1⁄2 tsp salt
Cornmeal or wheat bran for dusting

In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Add the flour and salt, stirring until blended. The dough will be shaggy and sticky. Cover bowl with plastic wrap. Let the dough rest at least 8 hours, preferably 12 to 18, at warm room temperature, about 70 degrees.
The dough is ready when its surface is dotted with bubbles. Lightly flour a work surface and place dough on it. Sprinkle it with a little more flour and fold it over on itself once or twice. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let it rest for about 15 minutes.
Using just enough flour to keep the dough from sticking to the work surface or to your fingers, gently shape it into a ball. Generously coat a clean dish towel with flour, wheat bran or cornmeal. Put the seam side of the dough down on the towel and dust with more flour, bran or cornmeal. Cover with another towel and let rise for about 1 to 2 hours. When it’s ready, the dough will have doubled in size and will not readily spring back when poked with a finger.
At least 20 minutes before the dough is ready, heat oven to 475 degrees. Put a 6- to 8-quart heavy covered pot (cast iron, enamel, Pyrex or ceramic) in the oven as it heats. When the dough is ready, carefully remove the pot from the oven and lift off the lid. Slide your hand under the towel and turn the dough over into the pot, seam side up. The dough will lose its shape a bit in the process, but that’s OK. Give the pan a firm shake or two to help distribute the dough evenly, but don’t worry if it’s not perfect; it will straighten out as it bakes. (My change: reduce heat to 425)
Cover and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the lid and bake another 15 to 20 minutes, until the loaf is beautifully browned. Remove the bread from the Dutch oven and let it cool on a rack for at least 1 hour before slicing. (My change: Pull chunks off and eat warm. It makes wonderful crunchy toast, too.)
Yield: One 1 1⁄2-pound loaf.
Adapted from The New York Times.

Road Construction

2009-05-18T09:02:00.002-08:00

The road construction season is upon us again. Last year major reconstruction took place from the border toward Tok. This spring we have already had driveways prepped for paving and Tok is bright with survey tape and road markers. Construction on a new Tanana River bridge is set to start shortly with the new bridge being finished next year. I hear that they will leave part of the old bridge in place as a scenic view point. It is pretty obvious on the ground where the new bridge will be. Trees have been cleared from where the new road will come up to the bridge on each side of the river.

Road construction is always a pain, but it is good for the community. Many transient workers are here and especially in what looks to be a down year for tourism, the dollars they add to the economy are welcome.

Spring Weather

2009-05-10T16:39:00.003-08:00

I guess it is typical spring weather with gray clouds and a bit of wind, but we sure enjoyed the five days of 70+ temperatures and blue sky. It brought out the pasque flowers and my yard is lavender with them. The arctic shooting stars should be next. We're prepping the garden and greenhouse while I feed all the little starter plants in the house. Tomato plants we will have to buy this year.

Last year I threw wildflower seed over some disturbed area where we had to remove trees and had a spectacular bloom. I think I'll do it again this year. Momma moose really enjoyed the stalks in early winter and gave the dogs and me the thrill of a lifetime when I let them out in the middle of one dark night. She charged them, and then charged my car before going after them again. We were all shocked and surprised as she was about 8 feet away from us. I called the dogs around to the back of the house and she laid down and continued to munch.

May flowers and other tidbits

2009-05-02T08:10:00.004-08:00

We've seen our first wild crocus (pasque flower) and soon there will be wild flowers everywhere. Snow still exists in scattered piles where it was plowed, and perhaps under a few trees in the woods, but recordbreaking (warm this time) temperatures have made it disappear.

While there are years that cold seeds can be planted this early, the soil in my garden is still frozen. Walking on a lawn with absolutely no give is a strange feeling that will only last a day or two. Greenhouses are being opened, soil mixed, and indoor transplants are being prepared to go outside.

A typical year will give us trees budding out around May 19. We'll see what this cold winter and extended cold spring did to that date in a short while. Meantime, I'll keep looking for more wild flowers and enjoy the sudden warmth. We've got the deck chairs out and today I'll remove the storm glass from the screen doors.

Snow Go----Away

2009-04-23T17:11:00.005-08:00

The snow level is dropping fast as breezes which don't feel arctic help to evaporate it from around anything dark. Driveways are still a mess but the roads are dry or mostly so. In another week we may see some dust. Walking today we continually scared up two mallards who were swimming in the ponds between the bike path and the highway. One day very soon the ground will thaw and the ponds will be gone! Love these blue sky days even if it is a little late to ski or snowmachine. Kids in boots are enjoying themselves mightily and the runners, including the Mighty Milers are out every day after school. Spring may be here on the calendar, but it is just around the corner in Tok, Alaska.

Purchasing a new home--get pre-qualified first

2009-04-16T08:02:00.006-08:00

The banks are so inundated with refinances of existing homes that new purchasers are being slowed down in their approval. If you are interested in purchasing a house, it is always best to start your search with a pre-qualification letter from a LOCAL (Alaskan) bank or credit union.

There have been a few successful refinances through internet lenders, but we have yet to see a successful purchase of a home with an internet lender. Everything looks fine up until about three days before the close when someone somewhere suddenly says, "Where the #@$% is Tok, Alaska? We can't loan in a place no one has ever heard of." End of sale.

Sellers are becoming more and more aware that a buyer needs a pre-qualification letter for them to accept an offer, so make life easy for everyone and contact your bank before you begin looking for a new home.

Tok Alaska Tea Party and Tok Trot

2009-04-16T07:57:00.007-08:00

Tok had its own tea party on April 15. Wish I'd known about it earlier. A total of five people attended, but in our little town, that's a good turnout. There's still plenty of snow on the ground.

Saturday is the annual Tok Trot, a 10K race. Walkers are welcome also and start at 12 pm from the visitor's center. Runners head out at 1 pm and everyone is welcome to enjoy a picnic at the Kelleys' afterward. This is one of the most fun races of the year and racers come from all over Alaska to enjoy it.

Springtime! and kids!

2009-04-05T20:03:00.005-08:00

Spring is here! (a little cool, but still spring!) What a wonderful weekend to get out and watch the kids race their dog teams. The Tok Dog Mushers club held their annual Junior Championship this weekend. Youngsters from the Tok area participate, as well as teams from Fairbanks and points in between. Last weekend was the "big" race, the Race of Champions. The Tok Dog Mushers have put on these races for many years with help from local volunteers. Thanks to a job well done.

It was so nice to see alot of our local kids out there racing and enjoying themselves! I don't know about others, but these dog races have always seemed like a springtime rite of passage for me. Spring is not the same if I miss them! Its a good time to catch up with folks you haven't seen during the cold winter months and it's great to see the kids out enjoying the sport. The Businessman's race, held one day during the Junior Championships is also entertaining and a good fundraiser for the club. Events not to miss if you get the chance!

Tok Alaska Energy Ratings

2009-03-29T20:15:00.003-08:00

Alaska has a wonderful program for upgrading homes to higher energy efficiency. Tok has its very own energy auditor (who can also go outside the community to work). He "grades" a home and provides a report about it with suggestions on improvements that will increase its efficiency. He even can tell how much efficiency will be added. Then the homeowner does the improvements and the state of Alaska will provide up to $10,000 in rebates after a second energy audit and receipts are turned in. It's a great program for home purchasers who may want to make improvements to a home they are buying.

Springtime in Alaska

2009-03-19T09:35:00.005-08:00

The sun is up and shining for 12 hours a day and most days it shines all day. That's what I love about living here. Most summers are full days of sunshine, too. Of course there are sometimes summers like last summer when it RAINED. It's still cold at night but pretty pleasant during the day. These are great days for skiing and dog mushing.

The Tanacross dog races are just past and the Tok Race of Champions, the third jewel in the Triple Crown of Alaska racing will take place next week. We'll be rooting for home grown Jennifer Probert to win in her classes. She's been mostly sweeping every race she's been in for the past two years.

Tok - A Slower Pace of Life

2009-01-07T21:14:00.004-09:00

Tok is a beautiful place to call home, if you can come to grips with the 8 months of winter and the associated darkness. Having been here for three years now, I can tell you that it's a change of pace that takes some getting used to. If you are from a large city, you will find the lack of amenities disturbing. However, to many in this place, that's exactly what makes Tok what it is. Minus the big-box stores, the endless traffic, and the crowds of people roaming around, life takes on a different pace here.

Everything revolves around the weather; today, tomorrow, and next week. You come to look upon the weather not as something fashionable, but rather, something to plan your life around. At -50, -60, and -70 degrees F everything outside comes to a grinding halt, yet life goes on in little pockets around the community.

This place really shines in the winter, which happens to be my favorite time of the year. Whether you like to cross country ski, snowmachine, or just get out and walk the trails, Tok has something for everyone in winter. There are miles and miles of groomed trails to play on, even though I've never figured out who actually grooms them (but thank you!). As March comes around the days get longer and the temperatures are more welcoming to all.

Summertime is beautiful here, with long warm days and endless possibilities. You can hike in the adjoining wilderness areas, bike the paved trails around the community, or explore the myriad of sights within driving distance of Tok. If there is anything to complain about summertime in Tok, it's that it doesn't last long enough. Two and a half months of nice, warm summer days give way to cooler temperatures in August (our fall). The cycle repeats itself and once again winter comes around to blanket the Tok area in a thick layer of fresh snow until next year.

pTok isn't really a town at all, it's technically a "community", and community is what this place is all about. Neighbors helping neighbors, friends joining friends, and families growing together. If you took a slice of small-town America 60 years ago and implanted it into the Alaskan wilderness, Tok is what would spring up from the soil. Local crimes include killing too many Moose in a season or driving too fast on the Alaska highway. The latest census reports that approximately 1500 people live in the Tok area, but I'm inclined to believe it's more like 500 in winter and 3000 in summer.

pThere is one small grocery store which has virtually everything, reminiscent of an old country store with a modern theme. Although I must admit that after three years I still haven't figured out how the check-out lines work. There is even a local health food store for those who value healthy living (like myself).

The school is surprisingly new, spacious, and better appointed than most schools in the cities. There is also a volunteer fire department, a building supply store, and a variety of local hotels.

But probably the most important place in town is the local Post Office, where most community business takes place on any given morning. Yes, rural America may have slipped away for most of the lower 48 States, but in Tok, Alaska it's very much alive and well.

Without a booming industry nearby, Tok lacks a strong job market for outsiders. However, most people in the area are retirees or are self-employed. My advice would be to import your work to Tok with you. Of course, with the low cost of living in this area, you could just plant a garden, chop wood, and haul water as many have done and continue to do. One additional piece of advice however, is to have a well-maintained vehicle. A trip to Fairbanks or Anchorage for supplies is nearly 300 miles one-way, and there are few services on either road. Winter travel can be hazardous for even the most experienced driver, so a few precautions are advised. I can think of a few notable times that I've been stranded, but as we all learn from our mistakes I am assured "it wont happen again".

Overall, Tok is a great place to live if you are looking for that rural Alaskan experience. Homes are very affordable, land is abundant, taxes are non-existent, and the traffic consists mostly of caribou. However, with high-speed internet and all major utilities in town, what more could you ask for in a place with such strong ties to the past? Bring your Vitamin D for winter, and your OFF! spray for summer. Sit back, listen to the peace and quiet, and just try to slow down enough to enjoy Tok for what it is. Just one final word of advice from an ex-city boy newbie; Don't mess with the baby moose when they block the road!

Weather

2009-01-01T12:25:00.007-09:00

Well, our summers are spectacular, and our winters are to write home about. A neighbor had -64 F this morning, and I took a photo of my thermometer at -70 F last winter--and that wasn't the coldest day.

What people don't realize is that at those low temperatures we have NO wind, and it is very dry. I'd rather be here at -40 than in Anchorage on the ocean at -10. We are a lot more comfortable. And of course, we learn quickly to dress for the weather.

Friends and I walk each day in temperatures down to -40.

In a heavy snow year we might get thigh deep snow here, higher in the mountains. It is a dry powder snow and we can't even make snowballs until March.

Summers are usually in the 70's and most summers are blue sky beautiful with our mountain backdrop. Some summers we have forest fires (even if they are in Siberia we sometimes get smoke) and the blue is obscured, and occasionally we have a rainy summer, but mostly they are wonderful, if short.

pFall and spring are each about a week long. Right in Tok our fall colors are mostly yellow with aspen and green with spruce and a lower ground cover of red. Just a short ride up the Taylor Highway and we are into mountain tundra with birch buckbrush that is a spectacular red and orange. Our greens in the spring remind me of Ireland. It's a beautful place we live and I still find myself pulling to the side of the road just to look after 35 years here.

Services

2009-01-01T12:20:00.008-09:00

In the winter we are limited to two restaurants, two service stations, two self-serve gas stations, a great grocery store, a health food store and a building supply store that carries most anything you might need. Anyone interested in opening a year round laundromat? It is something we need as the three in town have all shut down the past two winters. Denali State Bank has a local branch here and there is a NAPA auto supply store.

Our post office boxes are available 24 hours per day, but we have no home delivery.

We have a two or three time a week (depending on the season) bus service that goes to Fairbanks, Anchorage or Whitehorse, Yukon Territory.

People here can be pretty self-sufficient, but there are welders, carpenters and electricians available for those who don't do their own work.

Tok Alaska employment and schools

2008-11-28T16:20:00.004-09:00

Tok is the first Alaskan community that people traveling the Alaska Highway reach. It is a community of 1400 which is unorganized. We have no town or city, no taxes, no zoning or local ordinances. Tok is a friendly place. When people have come in and tell me how friendly it is, I had always assumed they were talking about all of Alaska. I've since learned that isn't necessarily true. TOK is a friendly place.

p>I'm often asked about employment here. We are the hub for the Upper Tanana and Forty Mile region. Much of the employment here is either government (state and federal) or seasonal employment in the tourism industry. Our location about 400 miles from Whitehorse, Yukon, makes us a good day's drive from there, so it is a place to restock, wash vehicles, change dollars, etc. etc. But back to employment. We are the local headquarters for the Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge, the Alaska State Troopers, the Alaska Department of Transportation, the Alaska Gateway School District, the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the Alaska Job Center and on and on.

Seasonal jobs include work at several hotels, restaurants, laundromats and gift shops. It can also include firefighting, fish and game, grocery store employment and construction. Seasonal employment is a way of life for many people.

Our local school is a K-12 school with about 250 students. Many local students are also home schooled.

Welcome to Tok Alaska

2008-11-28T10:59:00.001-09:00

Hello
I've started this blog so you can find information about Tok Alaska. There are three of us here who can answer your questions, and hopefully other Tok people will join in with information about activities and our community.