Random Pics from Ivory Jacks Semi-formal

 Dave enjoying a cigar too. 

Schu and Kayla, a great pair, they've opened their home to me many times. Thanks guys, you've been good friends.

 Jessica.

 Naomi and Kayla red.

 Friends of the girl's team.

 hanging out. 

 Ivory's has been a rugby hangout for a long time. The Sun Dogs (the original Fairbanks team) used to do their socials here. The owner, Dick, was a Sun Dog.

 Traveling patches. These guys got around. The Oosiks still travel but usually only to San Diego, Vegas and Maggotfest in Missoula Montana.

 Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. The motto in Alaska. This is reuse at it's finest. 

 Harley, one of the founding fathers of Fairbanks rugby in its current iteration.

 Enjoying a fatty bo batty. 

 Who knew?! Thermometers are made to go the same distance both ways. A necessity up here on the frozen tundra of Lambeau field. Just kidding, Lambeau is a thousand miles south of here. And yes, there is a winter rugby match, the annual Pearl Harbor memorial match. Frozen fun. 

Season's end semi-formal

Both Fairbanks rugby teams got dressed up and headed out to Ivory Jacks for some grub and awards. I had a pound and a half of king crab legs straight off the Time Bandit, just kidding. Anyway, the legs were good and the drinks cold. 

 The kid dresses up pretty well.

 Mora in an asian silk getup. Oo la la. 

 Charity and Ruth enjoying the evening.

 Nikki, our basketball player turn rugby rookie.

Dave, our Army officer turned flyhalf. He's in Afghanistan now for the next year. Good luck brother, keep your head down.

 Dave's wife, Sara, she usually outscores Dave!! :)

 Captain My Captain. Schu, with usual ear to ear grin. 

 Laura and Monica, hamming it up.

 Kayla red and Gerard. 

 Zach, a lock, and Naomi.

 Red, broke his collar bone early in the season. The only rugger older than me.

 Kayla. 

 Aaron, prop extraordinaire, native, madman.

 I got the silver fox award, oldest active player. Notice the cane for Cain. I should have gotten the rookie of the year award!!

The Pat Cain jackass award. It went to Skittles who was off Moose hunting for the weekend. he's our resident wild man. Whiskey. Nudity. Hilariousness. 

The award even looked like my dad. The resemblence was striking.

Kayla red got the 'that guy' award.

 Robbie Kitchens and Mindy out of Frisco. 

 Heather got the MVP for the women's team. If she played they won if she didn't they lost. Sounds like an MVP to me. 

Kitchens strikes a pose. 

Oktoberfest at Silver Gulch

Friday was Oktoberfest at Silver Gulch Brewery, the farthest north commercially brewed beer in North America. They set up a large tent, had a polka band, bon fire and great beer. Gout be damned. We started with a little pub fare for dinner. Fish and chips anyone. Afterwards we slipped outside to catch some polka and warm up around the bonfire. By 11, everyone was good and toasty.

 The restaurant and store. You can see the tents in the background.

 An FJ in the parking lot. Had to get a shot, look at this beauty.

 The bonfire was HOT!!!

 We had our own little rugger crew chilling out, Kitchens girl even made it up from Frisco.

 The polka was wild. 

 Cigars, beer and brothers. Doesn't get much better. Me and Schu.

 Check out the gams on this fraulein!!

 Kelsey and Adam in their "leiderhosen"

Katherine, Lindsey and Kayla (Schu's fiance). Good and snookered. I had to drive Lindsey and Katherine home. I asked how many beers they'd had, 3!

After Oktoberfest, we hit up the Marlin bar. Here we are in the upstairs beer garden. Beautiful night. The aurora was glowing green, we had them turn the lights off a couple times to get a better view.