#6 Taking Notice...Now Unforgotten

On May 10, 1935, the Vickaryous family was watching their new Valley pass slowly by as the the train slowed to a crawl. Now and then they could see small patches of cleared land. These were flat, well drained, and already with a tinge of green showing from springs' first burst of growth. Yellow Dandelions appeared like back home!

A few small cabins could be seen here and there with sod roofs that had grass and trees growing on top. Large sheets of birch tree bark were under the sod providing a dry living area inside. The Homesteaders encouraged by the Alaska Rail Road in early 1900 had adapted well. Other buildings were in the shape of "lean to" sheds with gated open fronts with storage above where the animals took shelter from the winter winds. The shed roofs were covered with cut and flattened "Blazo" cans after the contents had been used to provide light, start fires, and do some cooking. The sheds were all facing away from the winds and could be seen from a window in the cabins. A careful watch on the barn area was required to guard against predators such as wolves, wolverine, bears, and birds of prey.

"The Matanuska Wind" blows mostly in the winter coming from the glacier to the northeast, and usually begins a day or two after a peaceful snowfall. Tony learned this from his new Anchorage friends when he asked them about the weather in the area and up into the Valley.

The trees are laden with snow. Before you can feel any breeze the snow begins to fall off the trees like a fine dust. As the wind increases in velocity the trees dump huge loads of snow which swirls into the air to be carried hither and yon to build up deep snow drifts around objects. You must build with your doors away from the wind. It reduces the danger of having an opening blown open, less cold comes in as you open the door, and the drifting snow can block you inside. The door must open to the inside so you can escape in case of danger. You can shovel your way out to get water and firewood once the wind stops. The shovel must hang inside the entry next to your favorite rifle.

Tony knew that he had much to learn, well, and quickly. Freezing temperatures followed by snow came early in October back in Northern Minnesota. Maybe by mid September here? Only our months to get his family housed warmly for the winter? What foodstuffs could they store and how much? How do you get dry firewood? Clean water? His three ladies could not trek outside to relieve themselves with that Matanuska wind blowing from behind! Some sort of indoor "privy" will be a must for them.

He had a plan. He already had employment which would be breaking the Colony Rules. "You must establish a subsistence farm!" "Is that so?", he thought. He would get some hooch going and visit the homesteaders to ask them questions. Clear land? Crops? Need fertilizer? Could he fish the lakes under the ice? (He had brought gill nets made for clear water so fish could not see the mesh and turn around.) Is there a market for blocks of ice? Preserve and store food? How to get flour, sugar, salt, pepper, coffee, tea, canned milk, Blazo...? The list was long. While others were perhaps thinking of a land of "Milk and Honey" and "free" handouts at the Government Commissary, to be paid back soon enough with interest, he was counting on his enterprising spirit to "make-do" for his family.

The train to the "Matanuska Tent City" came to a screeching halt. They had arrived! With one quick look out the window they knew a bridge to be crossed had arrived. Would these independent people submit to the orders of planners who were experimenting with "Social Planning"? How many others were quietly observing as they traveled thinking to themselves on how best to provide for their family? Would many others soon be saying: "Is that so?"